Bryant Boats Calandra 27 - Review 2023

Runabout and Still Stand Out

With plenty of makers to choose from and bowriders galore, why the Bryant Calandra 27? You may decide it’s beautifully outfitted and the abundance of available accessories seals the deal. Maybe it’s the motor options, leaving you to decide between fast, faster and fastest.

However, if it’s love at first sight for you and the Calandra 27 then it must be the look. Stand next to this boat and you feel like you’re about to dominate the water. With lines made to cut and a powerful profile in the water, the Calandra 27 will definitely turn heads.

While everyone is looking you can pack the entire family in this boat along with everything you could possibly need for a day outing. With seating for 15, no one has to be left behind and everyone enjoys the fun.

Prices run from $30k for older models up to $130k for the newer vessels. There are some good deals to get on older models with a less demanding bit of up-keep required.

Performance

Does the Calandra 27 cut it? As with any boat, it’s always personal. But it comes with either a 350-, 380-, or 430 horsepower motor, so choose carefully. The motors are offered as either standard Mercury MerCruisers, Volvo Pentas with speed control, or Volvo Pentas with speed control and forward drive.

With so much power the Calandra 27 might make the unprepared apprehensive, but Bryant builds their boats for superb handling. Crafted to plane cleanly and steer smooth, this boat is to be respected, but not feared.

The Calandra 27 comes standard with some nice features such as digital throttle and shift, touch screen with GPS MAPS, charging ports and a stereo with 6 speakers to name a few. Many of those standard amenities can be upgraded and others such as a freshwater system, head and gray water system can be added.

There are a few accessories Bryant offers with this boat as add-ons that might be better as standard fare, such as the docking lights and travel cover. Both increase safety and aid in protecting the vessel, thus including them benefits the boat and the boater’s peace of mind.

Stowed and Secure

In meeting their customer’s need to stow all manner of gear and goods, Bryant Boats succeeded and then triumphed. The list of options to tuck away a piece of equipment or secure an open drink are abundant:

• Racks on tower hold any size wakesurf or wakeboard
• Sub-floor cavernous storage for large water items
• Catch-all in the dash of driver station
• Flip-up storage and cup holders directly behind driver’s seat
• Starboard passenger seat flip-up storage with a removable trash can
• Catch-all when entering walkthrough at stern of boat
• Port flip-up bench seat storage to hold (provided) cooler
• Port oversize storage access door (head can be installed here)
• Bow benches flip-up to reveal storage
• Bow cup holders (port and starboard)
• Anchor storage at tip of bow

With all those spaces at a boater’s disposal the utility value of a Calandra 27 rapidly increases. Want to go skiing? No problem. Need to move gear from A to B? Easy.

What about anchoring in a beautiful hidden cove for a long day of snorkeling and adventure? Maybe even scuba? Zero worries because the Calandra 27 can hold your gear, extra safety equipment, a group of thrill seekers, plus sandwiches and drinks to keep everyone energized.

Cut to the Chase:

If you have the money to spend on a vessel this size, the Calandra 27 is a safe bet. The standard package for this boat already includes everything a boater needs and from there it’s all about a person’s tastes. This is a lot of boat and worth every penny for the person who can properly put it to work.

With a piece of equipment like this at your disposal, the idea of upgrading to something ‘better’ might be a joke. Beauty, power, space, utility – these all seem to be the hallmark of Bryant Boats and their Calandra 27.