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Dockrell 27

Brief details

Dockrell Yachts, Tavistock

A very solidly built small long-keeler with shallow draught, cutter rigged with a self-tacking boomed staysail and the mast in a tabernacle. The Dockrell 27 has a most unusual shallow winged long keel.

27' 0"

Sail area

314 sq ft

21' 0"

Rig

Cutter

8' 0"

Cabins

Saloon & forecabin

3' 0"

Berths

5

7,000 lbs

Engine

usually inboard diesel

3,200 lbs

BHP

15 - 20

Long iron wing keel

The Dockrell 27 is one of a range of cruising boats from 22 to 37 feet, produced by Dockrell Yachts in the 1970s and 1980s. With her transom-hung rudder and attractive sheer she looks at first glance when afloat to be a Folkboat derivative, but underwater in fact has a shallower, longer iron keel and flatter bilges than Folkboat types. The long iron keel has a flared base, to keep the ballast weight low, and to help her take the ground upright, aided by removable beaching legs if necessary. Dockrells were strongly built, using fairly low-tech GRP construction methods. Factory finished boats were nicely finished, and offered up to five berths in two cabins, with a small separate heads and hanging locker. Some bare hulls were also sold, however - finish on these may vary.

The Dockrell 27 is an interesting small cruiser, with the ability to take the ground nearly as easily as a bilge-keeler. Sailing performance is moderately good, though not spectacular to windward. They are solidly built, with an excellent ballast ratio, and have a good reputation for seaworthiness.

Yachts seen here are no longer for sale - the data is online as a free information service for buyers researching boat types. THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE COVERED BY COPYRIGHT, AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF YACHTSNET LTD.

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The cooker on these boats is often mounted on rails to slide it out from under the cockpit seat. layouts may vary, however, as many Dockrells were home completed

On deck she is fitted out as a proper cruising boat, with good solid deck fittings. The self-tacking boomed staysail makes single-handing easy, whilst for light winds there is a yankee or genoa

The very distinctive shallow winged long keel is virtually unique to the Dockrell 27. It was said by the builders that the yacht can safely stand upright unsupported on the keel base, but few owners are brave enough to try it out!