The Express 27 is an easy boat to single hand. However, it doesn't go as fast upwind without some bodies on the rail. It's a joy to day sail singlehanded or with another person. It's very well behaved in light air or a big breeze with a small jib. I have reached at 9 knots with a #4 jib in a big breeze. The ultra light weight of the boat means that the sails are small and easy for one person to handle. The helm is balanced under all conditions (just a very slight weather helm). The boat is so easy to control that I often sail into my slip (upwind) with the main up. You can practically stop the boat in the harbor by overtrimming the main. And if you are going too fast you can spin it around on a dime. The large rudder provides good control in all conditions.