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Ajax 28
Designer: C&C  ·  Builder: Ajax (Can)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Ajax 28

Designed by C&C and built by Ajax in Canada from 1978 to 1982, this 28-footer represents a relatively rare find with only 12 hulls produced during its brief four-year production run. The Ajax 28 showcases the classic late-1970s approach to performance cruising, featuring a fin keel with spade rudder configuration that delivers responsive handling and efficient upwind performance. With a displacement of 6,200 pounds and 2,700 pounds of ballast, this fiberglass sloop strikes a reasonable balance between stability and performance. The masthead sloop rig carries 364 square feet of sail area, providing adequate power for coastal cruising and weekend sailing. Her moderate beam of 9 feet keeps marina costs reasonable while still offering decent interior volume for a boat this size. The comfort ratio of 20.86 suggests a motion that favors performance over ultimate stability, making her best suited for coastal waters rather than extended offshore passages. Her capsize screening formula of 1.96 falls within acceptable ranges for near-shore sailing. The 5-foot draft provides good upwind ability while limiting access to some shallow cruising grounds. Given C&C's reputation for well-balanced designs, the Ajax 28 likely appeals to sailors seeking a capable coastal cruiser with respectable sailing characteristics in a manageable package.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.95 ft / 8.52 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.17 ft / 7.06 m
Beam 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 6,200.00 lb / 2,812 kg
Ballast 2,700.00 lb / 1,225 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 364.00 ft² / 33.82 m²
Headroom 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer C&C
Builder Ajax (CAN)
First Built 1978
Last Built 1982
Number Built 12
Related Sailboats ["Mirage 27 Perry" · "Tanzer 85" · "Islander 28" · "Catalina 28"]
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 186
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 17.31
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 43.55
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 222.52
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 20.86
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.96
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.45 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.48
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 745.10 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 17.26
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 36.84 ft / 11.23 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.21 ft / 3.42 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 31.30 ft / 9.54 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
SA Fore 206.49 ft² / 19.18 m²
SA Main 156.50 ft² / 14.54 m²
SA Total (100%) 362.99 ft² / 33.72 m²
Est. Forestay Length 38.51 ft / 11.74 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 12
How It Compares

vs. Islander 28, Tanzer 85

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Ajax 28 ★
28.0 ft
Islander 28
27.9 ft
Tanzer 85
27.9 ft
LWL
Ajax 28 ★
23.2 ft
Islander 28
23.1 ft
Tanzer 85
23.8 ft
Beam
Ajax 28 ★
9.0 ft
Islander 28
9.8 ft
Tanzer 85
9.5 ft
Displacement
Ajax 28 ★
6 lbs
Islander 28
7 lbs
Tanzer 85
7 lbs
Ballast
Ajax 28 ★
2 lbs
Islander 28
3 lbs
Tanzer 85
3 lbs
Sail Area
Ajax 28 ★
364 sq ft
Islander 28
361 sq ft
Tanzer 85
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Ajax 28 ★
186 s/nm
Islander 28
186 s/nm
Tanzer 85
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Ajax 28 ★
17.3
Islander 28
15.8
Tanzer 85
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Ajax 28 ★
43.6 %
Islander 28
42.9 %
Tanzer 85
40.5 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Ajax 28 ★
20.9
Islander 28
21.0
Tanzer 85
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Ajax 28 ★
1.96
Islander 28
2.06
Tanzer 85
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Ajax 28 ★
222
Islander 28
254
Tanzer 85
246
Hull Speed
Ajax 28 ★
6.5 kts
Islander 28
6.4 kts
Tanzer 85
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Ajax 28 ★
2.5
Islander 28
2.0
Tanzer 85
—
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