Concept 27 Open, Miami's Sandbar Sprinter Reviewed

What people mean by a Concept boat

Say Concept boat around Miami and people picture a long, slim center console with wild custom graphics, a stack of Mercury outboards and a crowd at the sandbar. The 27 Open is the most accessible version of that idea. It is a narrow, 24-degree deep-V that the builder pitches for performance boating with family and friends or the occasional fishing excursion, and it sits at the entry point of Concept's Classic Series.

Concept Boats is family-owned and based in Opa-locka, in Miami-Dade County. Founder Luis Avila, born in Miami to Cuban immigrant parents, repaired and overhauled boats at his family's paint shop as a teenager and launched Concept in 1986 with a 17-foot single-engine ski boat. The company now splits its range into a Classic Series of narrow-beam models from 23 to 36 feet and a Luxury Series of wider boats up to 53 feet.

The narrow-beam philosophy

The 27 Open's defining number is its beam: 7 feet 9 inches on 26 feet 10 inches of length. That is more than a foot narrower than most modern 27-foot family consoles, and it is a deliberate choice. A slim hull with 24 degrees of deadrise needs less power to go fast, slices short chop rather than pounding on it, and stays comfortably inside the 8-foot 6-inch trailer limit.

The trade-offs are just as clear. There is less deck area, less stability at rest and less room for people to pass the console. Buyers comparing a Concept to a beamy bay-style hybrid should go for a sea trial in both, and spend some time drifting, because the difference at rest is bigger than the difference at speed.

Then and now, how the 27 has changed

Concept's 2008 website listed the 27 in PR fishing and SR sport versions at 26 feet 8 inches long and 94 inches wide, about 3,200 pounds without engines, a 16-inch draft, 30-inch gunwales, 24 degrees of deadrise and 110 gallons of fuel, with maximum ratings of 300 hp on one page and 350 hp on another. The current Open Deck page lists 26 feet 10 inches, a 7-foot 9-inch beam, 4,600 pounds, the same 16-inch draft and 30-inch gunwale height, a 24-degree deadrise, 90 gallons of fuel and a 500 hp maximum outboard rating.

The jump in rated power, from 300 to 350 hp to 500 hp, means newer boats can carry twin outboards that would have exceeded the older rating. The smaller published fuel tank means buyers should not assume all 27s share the same range. As with any semi-custom builder, confirm tankage and the capacity plate on the specific boat.

• 2008: 26 ft 8 in, 94 in beam, about 3,200 lb dry, 110 gal, 300 to 350 hp
• Current: 26 ft 10 in, 7 ft 9 in beam, 4,600 lb, 90 gal, 500 hp
• Both: 24-degree deadrise, 16-inch draft, 30-inch gunwales

The 59 mph factory claim, in context

Concept's 2008 literature said that with 250 hp the 27 reached a top speed of 59 mph in 15 seconds, and quoted South Florida Sport Fishing magazine calling it a rock solid boat with stylish appointments and outstanding running and handling characteristics. The same site cautioned that its speeds were radar-verified with one driver and less than 10 gallons of fuel, so they represent a best case.

We found no independent instrumented test with fuel-flow data for the 27 Open, so we do not publish a cruise speed or range. With today's 500 hp rating and twin outboards, a light 27 will be considerably quicker than the old single-250 figure, but fuel burn will climb accordingly. Ask for a sea trial with a GPS and engine data display, loaded the way you will use the boat.

Deck layout and standard equipment

The current 27 Open comes with bow seating with a removable backrest or fill-in cushion, forward console seating and an aft bench, and Concept says the boat seats up to eight passengers. Storage sits under the removable bow seats, under the rear seat and in floor compartments fore and aft, with a fish box or cooler. Standard equipment includes Mercury gauges and DTS throttle, tilt steering, a plexiglass console windshield, trim tabs with LED indicators, dual batteries with a switch, five stainless pull-up cleats, powder-coated aluminum bow and grab rails, two rod holders, built-in rod racks, a boarding ladder and a portable toilet.

Options are where a Concept becomes a Concept. Graphics, upholstery and colors are chosen by the owner, and the helm can be built out with multiple Garmin displays, Mercury VesselView and audio. Power poles are a popular add-on for sandbar days. For anglers, the rear seat can be deleted for more cockpit space or a livewell, as the older PR fishing versions offered.

Who the 27 suits

The 27 Open makes the most sense for owners who value speed, style and a soft ride in a chop more than deck area: Biscayne Bay and Keys boaters, sandbar regulars and anglers who fish nearshore on calm days. It is light enough to tow and simple enough to keep on a lift.

Serious offshore anglers will find the 90-gallon tank and narrow deck limiting compared with a tournament console like the Contender 25T, while families wanting lounges and a big head will prefer a wider dual console or bay hybrid.

Costs and buying used

Annual running costs should be modest, about $6,000 to $15,000 excluding depreciation, depending on one or two engines, storage and how hard the boat is run. Twin-engine boats double outboard service but give a second engine for runs outside.

On the used market, condition of the custom paint and upholstery affects value more than on a plain white boat, because refinishing a graphics package is expensive. Our estimated range runs from about $30,000 for older single-engine boats to about $120,000 for late twin-engine examples.