Eastern Boats 27 Tournament (2023-)

Brief Summary

Eastern Boats’ 27 Tournament is a downeast-style fishing boat with a powerful bow and a hard-chine hull, which make her a stable, soft, and fuel-efficient ride for offshore fishing runs. The Tournament is well-built in a utilitarian style, sturdy and versatile enough to deal with changing sea conditions safely and comfortably.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	27' 4" 8.33 m
Beam	10' 3" 3.12 m
Dry Weight	8,000 lbs. 3,629 kg
Tested Weight	9,085 lbs. 4,121 kg
Draft	28" 0.71 m
Deadrise/Transom	12 deg
Fuel Capacity	192 gal 727 L
Total Weight	9,085 lbs. 4,121 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	3.8
0 to 30	7.8
Props	14.25 x 18.5
Load	3 persons; 80 gal. fuel; 50 lb gear
Climate	68 deg., 36 humid; wind: 15-20 mph, seas:<1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 200-hp Suzuki
Std. Power	2 x 250-hp Suzuki
Opt. Power	2 x 300-hp Suzuki

Mission

Built in New Hampshire, Eastern Boats’ 27 Tournament was designed as a high-quality, rugged, and fuel-efficient Downeast-style boat for hard-core anglers. Thanks to its two V-Berths, coffin berth, and head, the Tournament is fully equipped to handle overnight offshore trips. From a generously-sized cockpit to its insulated fish box and tackle cabinet, or a rocket launcher for rods on the hardtop, this boat has all the basics a fishing trip may require.

Major Features

• Hard Cabin Sides w/ Sliding Windows
• Stainless Steel Hardware
• Twin 96 Gallon Fuel Tanks
• 5 Rod Rocket Launcher
• Dual Front Opening Windshields
• Galley with sink & refrigerator, stove, enclosed head, sink, Vacu-flush, shower

Design

True to their origin as Northeastern fishing boats, Downeast commercial fishing boats are known for their durability and functionality, and that is certainly true of the 27 Tournament. She is built to keep you dry in choppy waters. Its utilitarian design is easy to handle, and her no-nonsense build is practical. A high bow, raked stem, spray rails, enclosed helm, and aft curtain will keep you dry in choppy seas.  

Eastern Boats uses composite construction, modern knitted fabrics, vinylester resins for skin coats, Nida-core for cockpit soles and deck houses, foam-filled fiberglass stringer grids, and Penske Board transoms, so the Tournament is a solid build. And despite the no-frills approach, it includes enough teak trimming and quality details to make it a comfortable, welcoming boat.

Performance & Handling

The 27 Tournament has a length overall of 27’4” (8.33 m), a beam of 10’3” (3.12 m), a draft of 28” (71 cm), and a dry weight of 8,000 lbs (3,628.74 kg). It is designed to run with twin 150-hp outboards or a single 250-300-hp engine mounted on a bracket.

The Tournament is stable on a drift and efficient at a wide range of speeds from the low teens to the mid-twenties, enabling a skipper to adjust and dial her in to varying conditions.

Boat Inspection

Starting our inspection of the 27 Tournament in the interior: with an aft curtain, a fully enclosed helm, and two windscreen wipers, the skipper can remain warm and dry in snotty conditions. In warmer weather, there is plenty of ventilation thanks to the sliding side windows and aft curtain.

On the helm deck, a double-wide companion seat to port complements the comfortable helm chair, which has excellent visibility all around.  A prep station with sink and cutting board lies aft of the helm seat to makes rigging handy. Opposite is a double lounge seat with large livewell.

Belowdecks, the 27 Tournament has a forward V-berth with cushions and shelves, as well as space for overhead rod racks. An enclosed head provides a toilet as well as a shower. A mid-berth under the helm deck offers additional sleeping capacity or capacious storage.

A rocket launcher on the aft edge of the cabin top keeps six rods ready for action. The transom offers a transom door to the outboard bracket. In the cockpit sole is a large, insulated fishbox with pump out. A bow thruster can ease the docking process and an anchor windlass is provided.

Standard Features

• Two/Tone, Cockpit Sole
• Hard Cabin Sides w/ Sliding Windows
• LED Spreader Lights
• Stainless Steel Hardware
• Black Rub Rail / Spray Rails with SS Insert
• (2) Electric Windshield Wipers
• Stainless Steel Bow Eye
• Self-Bailing, Inner Liner
• Inspection Deck Plates
• Coffin Berth with Cushion
• V-Berth Filler with Cushions
• V-Berths with Cushions & Shelves
• Outboard Bracket color matched to deck
• (4) Drink / Rod Holders
• Twin 96 Gallon Fuel Tanks
• (2) Fuel Filter & Water Separators
• Aft Curtain
• Scuppers
• Trim Tabs
• Transom Door
• Boot Stripe
• (4) 110 Outlets
• 20x20 Cabin Hatch
• Bow Roller / Deck Pipe
• Transom Livewell
• 5 Rod Rocket Launcher
• 12V Switch Panels
• Waste Basket
• Hanging Locker
• Teak Wire Ways
• Fold Down Helm
• Upgraded Helm Seat
• Navigation Lights
• TV / DVD
• Double Wide Companion Seat
• Port Upholstered Bench
• (2) Electric Bilge Pumps & Auto Floats
• Dual Front Opening Windshields
• Stainless Steel Bow Rail
• LED Dome Lights
• LED Courtesy Lights
• Galley with sink & refrigerator, stove, enclosed head, sink, vacu flush head, shower
• Wired for Dual Batteries with switch
• 30 Gallon Fresh water
• Hot Water Heater
• Cockpit Table - Teak
• Insulated Fish Box with Pump out
• Tackle Cabinet
• Raw Water Washdown
• Sunbrella Upholstery

Optional Equipment

• Additional rod holders, pair
• Anchor windlass with anchor, rope, and chain
• Bow thruster, bottom paint around
• Stainless steel handrail upgrade
• Aft bimini
• Full camper enclosure
• Color match outboard bracket to hull
• Air conditioning/Revers cycle: 10,000 BTU
• Ultra Leather upgrade
• NMEA 2000

Observations

The Eastern boat brand is well-known and respected in the Northeast. Their boats meet all applicable ABYC standards and are exceptionally durable.  Best of all, the boats are affordable.