Lancer 27 (27PS)

Description

The Lancer 27 (most commonly known as the Lancer 27 PS, where "PS" stands for Power Sailer) is a unique American motorsailer hybrid produced by Lancer Yacht Corp. (Irvine, California) from 1983 to 1985. Designed by Herb David, it was part of Lancer's innovative line of high-performance motor sailors, prioritizing powerful motoring (designed to accept outboards up to 200 hp) while still providing acceptable sailing performance under a sloop rig. This crossover design appealed to buyers wanting reliable engine speed (potentially 15+ knots under power) with auxiliary sail capability for fuel efficiency or fun—though it compromises on excelling at either pure sailing or pure powerboating. It's a fiberglass monohull with a fin keel and spade rudder (tiller steering), raked stem, and compact cruiser layout suited for coastal daysailing, weekends, or short cruises (sleeps 4–5 comfortably). Owners often describe it as "sails just fine" with moderate power, but the large engine potential makes it fun for quick trips or when wind is light. It's trailerable with the right setup, though the weight and outboard make it less common for frequent trailering than smaller Lancers. Exact production numbers are not documented in major sources (Lancer was a smaller builder with niche runs) but given the very short 2–3-year production and the model's specialized hybrid appeal, it's estimated in the low hundreds or fewer—making surviving examples quite rare today.