I would not say that the Com-pac points very well or is good in light air. I have no idea how much they cost new. I bought mine in 2004 and it was 17 years old when I purchased it (1987 model).
I have never sailed on a Catalina 275. But I would believe that it is a faster boat that will point much better than the Com-pac 27. I would also believe that the Com-pac is more comfortable, especially in bad
weather. The lack of pointing ability is likely also what makes the Com-pac more comfortable in heavier
weather as it tends to slip sideways.
The Com-pac has more creature comforts. It has an enclosed head, better sleeping arrangements and a usable
galley. The Com-pac also has standing head room. A nice feature if you are going to
cruise it. New boats being as expensive as they are, I wonder if there is a way to "try before you buy."
I did read that you "don't do used." But I feel I have to point out that there are significant advantages to
buying a used boat. For one thing, you can actually see the boat you want to buy before you
purchase it. You can make the
sale contingent on a sea trial. You would be amazed at how much the dealers etc add on to the
price of a
new boat. A
new boat with a "base price" of $135,000 can end up easily costing over $200,000 before tax. That same boat might cost only $100,000 lightly used. Even then, once you own the new boat there will be a period of getting the boat right for your use of it.
There are many lightly used boats for sail. My
current boat had only 180 hours on the
engine when I purchased her. The Com-pac had only 350 hours. The life of a
Diesel engine can easily be 5000 hours. The
sails on my
current boat were so unused that that they looked as if they had never been sailed, stiff and starched with no wrinkles. Both boats came with brand new, unused spinnakers. Both boats surveyed very well and were little trouble over the time I have owned them. Of course there will always be issues. But that is true for both new and used boats.