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Aloha 85
Designer: Ted Brewer/Robert Walstrom  ·  Builder: Ouyang Boat Works (Can)  ·  First built: 1983
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About the Aloha 85

Designed by the respected team of Ted Brewer and Robert Walstrom, this 28-foot cruising sailboat emerged from Canadian builder Ouyang Boat Works during the mid-1980s. The Aloha 85 represents solid coastal cruising design philosophy, combining moderate dimensions with sensible proportions that appeal to sailors seeking comfortable weekending and extended coastal exploration. Built with fiberglass construction and featuring a fin keel with transom-hung rudder configuration, the boat offers predictable handling characteristics and reasonable performance under sail. The masthead sloop rig provides versatile sail combinations, while the generous beam of 9.42 feet creates substantial interior volume for a boat of this length. With a displacement of 6,750 pounds and ballast ratio supporting the 395 square feet of sail area, the design strikes a balance between stability and sailing ability. The boat's comfort ratio of 20.58 suggests good motion characteristics for coastal cruising, while the capsize screening value of 2 indicates reasonable stability for protected waters and moderate offshore conditions. Ted Brewer's influence is evident in the thoughtful proportions that prioritize seaworthiness and livability over pure racing performance. Though production was relatively brief, lasting from 1983 to 1988, the Aloha 85 earned respect among cruising sailors for its practical approach to small boat voyaging.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.50 ft / 7.47 m
Beam 9.42 ft / 2.87 m
Max Draft 4.30 ft / 1.31 m
Displacement 6,750.00 lb / 3,062 kg
Ballast 2,750.00 lb / 1,247 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 395.00 ft² / 36.70 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Brewer/Robert Walstrom
Builder Ouyang Boat Works (CAN)
First Built 1983
Last Built 1988
Associations Aloha Owners
Related Sailboats ["Aloha 28" · "Tanzer 85" · "S2 86" · "Islander 28" · "Catalina 28"]
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Performance Ratios
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
 17.75
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
 40.74
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
 204.91
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
 20.58
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
 2
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. 6.63 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
 2.73
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. 824.64 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. 17.73
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 37.00 ft / 11.28 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.25 ft / 3.73 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 32.00 ft / 9.75 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
SA Fore 226.63 ft² / 21.05 m²
SA Main 168.00 ft² / 15.61 m²
SA Total (100%) 394.63 ft² / 36.66 m²
Est. Forestay Length 38.98 ft / 11.88 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Westerbeke
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 13
Fuel Capacity 12 gals / 45 L
Water Capacity 30 gals / 114 L
How It Compares

vs. Islander 28, S2 86, Tanzer 85

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Aloha 85 ★
28.0 ft
Islander 28
27.9 ft
S2 86
28.0 ft
Tanzer 85
27.9 ft
LWL
Aloha 85 ★
24.5 ft
Islander 28
23.1 ft
S2 86
22.5 ft
Tanzer 85
23.8 ft
Beam
Aloha 85 ★
9.4 ft
Islander 28
9.8 ft
S2 86
9.5 ft
Tanzer 85
9.5 ft
Displacement
Aloha 85 ★
6 lbs
Islander 28
7 lbs
S2 86
7 lbs
Tanzer 85
7 lbs
Ballast
Aloha 85 ★
2 lbs
Islander 28
3 lbs
S2 86
3 lbs
Tanzer 85
3 lbs
Sail Area
Aloha 85 ★
395 sq ft
Islander 28
361 sq ft
S2 86
390 sq ft
Tanzer 85
—
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Aloha 85 ★
17.8
Islander 28
15.8
S2 86
16.2
Tanzer 85
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Aloha 85 ★
40.7 %
Islander 28
42.9 %
S2 86
—
Tanzer 85
40.5 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Aloha 85 ★
20.6
Islander 28
21.0
S2 86
24.2
Tanzer 85
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Aloha 85 ★
2.00
Islander 28
2.06
S2 86
1.94
Tanzer 85
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Aloha 85 ★
204
Islander 28
254
S2 86
—
Tanzer 85
246
Hull Speed
Aloha 85 ★
6.6 kts
Islander 28
6.4 kts
S2 86
6.4 kts
Tanzer 85
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Aloha 85 ★
2.7
Islander 28
2.0
S2 86
1.7
Tanzer 85
—
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