Stiletto 27

The Stiletto 27 is an American trailerable catamaran sailboat that was designed by Bill Higgins and Don Ansley as a racer/cruiser and first built in 1976.[1][2][3][4]

Stiletto 27
Development
DesignerBill Higgins and Don Ansley
LocationUnited States
Year1976
No. built500
Builder(s)Stiletto Catamarans
Boat
Boat weight1,100 lb (499 kg)
Draft4.00 ft (1.22 m), daggerboards down
Hull
TypeMultihull
ConstructionFiberglass
LOA26.83 ft (8.18 m)
LWL24.00 ft (7.32 m)
Beam13.83 ft (4.22 m)
Engine typeoutboard motor
Hull appendages
Keel/board typedaggerboard
Ballastnone
Rudder(s)dual transom-mounted rudders
Rig
Rig typeBermuda rig
Sails
SailplanFractional rigged sloop
Mainsail area230 sq ft (21 m2)
Jib/genoa area159 sq ft (14.8 m2)
Spinnaker area750 sq ft (70 m2)
Total sail area336 sq ft (31.2 m2)

The design was originally marketed by the manufacturer just as the Stiletto, but later became the Stiletto 27 to differentiate it from the later 1983 Stiletto 30 and 1985 Stiletto 23 designs.[1]

Production

The design was built by Stiletto Catamarans (a division of Force Engineering) in the United States. A total of 500 were built, but it is now out of production.[1][4][5]

Design

The Stiletto 27 is a recreational catamaran, built predominantly of fiberglass, with an epoxy and Nomex core. It has a fractional sloop rig with a full-roach mainsail, raked stems, slightly reverse transoms, transom-hung rudders controlled by a tiller and a single, centrally-mounted daggerboard keel.[1][4]

The racing versions are heavier and incorporate extra sails, sheet winches ans a 6:1 downhaul. A 750 sq ft (70 m2) spinaker and pivoting centerboard are optional for both cruising and racing versions.[4]

The boat has a draft of 4.00 ft (1.22 m) with the daggerboard extended and 0.75 ft (0.23 m) with it retracted, allowing beaching or ground transportation on a trailer. For ground transport the design collapses to a width of 7.95 ft (2.42 m).[1]

Both hulls have double berths, while the port hull houses the portable head. The starboard hull houses the galley. Further sleeping space can be created with the use of a deck tent.[4]

Access to each hull is via the raised Lexan skylight, which are slid forward for access. Additional portlights are in the hull sides, two per hull. The boat is normally fitted with a small outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.[4]

Roller furling headsails are optional. Other factory options include jiffy reefing, a halyard winch, jib sheet winches and a reduced-area cruising mainsail.[4]

The design has a hull speed of 6.56 kn (12.15 km/h).[6][7][8]

Operational history

In an account in Sail magazine published on May 1982, writer Robby Robinson describes the design's performance, "I was pleasantly surprised at Stiletto’s maneuverability. She is heavy enough (1,100 pounds) to have some carry, and the centerline daggerboard helps her spin quite nimbly from one tack to the other. Her high aspect rudders stall somewhat, especially if you're attempting to bear off without much way on. Still, she responds to sheet adjustment and rudder wriggling better than most boats, and her rapid acceleration is a real plus in tight quarters."[9]

Variants
Stiletto 27
This model was designed by Bill Higgins and Don Ansley and introduced in 1976. It displaces 1,100 lb (499 kg).[1][6]
Stiletto 27 Championship Edition
This model was designed by Bill Higgins and introduced in 1977. It displaces 1,200 lb (544 kg).[2][7]
Stiletto 27 Special Edition
This model was designed by Bill Higgins and introduced in 1978. It displaces 1,570 lb (712 kg).[2][7]
Stiletto 27 GT
This model two daggerboards, one in each hull.[1][6]
gollark: Planes can just use rocket engines, it's very* practical.
gollark: You're wrong then.
gollark: Yes, nobody likes atmospheres.
gollark: You wouldn't launch one, you would move a spare one from the belt or something.
gollark: If you have lots of space boost capacity, you can also probably push asteroids around at planets you don't like.

See also

Similar sailboats

References
  1. Browning, Randy (2019). "Stiletto 27 sailboat specifications and details". sailboatdata.com. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  2. Browning, Randy (2019). "Stiletto 27 Chmp Ed sailboat specifications and details". sailboatdata.com. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  3. Browning, Randy (2019). "Stiletto 27 Spec Ed sailboat specifications and details". sailboatdata.com. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  4. Sherwood, Richard M.: A Field Guide to Sailboats of North America, Second Edition, pages 184-185. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1994. ISBN 0-395-65239-1
  5. Browning, Randy (2019). "Stiletto Catamarans (Force Engineering)". sailboatdata.com. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  6. InterVisionSoft LLC (2019). "Sailboat Specifications for Stiletto 27". Sailing Joy. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  7. InterVisionSoft LLC (2019). "Sailboat Specifications for Stiletto 27 Chmp Ed". Sailing Joy. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  8. InterVisionSoft LLC (2019). "Sailboat Specifications for Stiletto 27 Spec Ed". Sailing Joy. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  9. Robinson, Robby (May 1982). "Two Hulls East". Sail Magazine. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
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