The Clubswan 28 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 27.9′, the Clubswan 28 tops out around 7.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.9′ LWL = 7.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
49.9
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Displacement / Length
45
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
6.9
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.52
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
817lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
6.9
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.52
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Clubswan 28 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
5.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.9 |
6.3 |
7.0 |
7.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.6 |
5.8 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.1 kts),
SA/D (49.9), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Clubswan 28 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Clubswan 28.
|
Clubswan 28 |
Maxus 35 |
Santana 35 |
Tide 36 |
X 362 Classic |
X 362 Sport |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
35.1 |
35.0 |
35.0 |
35.1 |
35.1 |
35.1 |
| LWL |
27.9 |
— |
26.5 |
31.8 |
30.4 |
30.4 |
| Beam |
8.2 |
11.2 |
11.9 |
9.9 |
11.4 |
11.4 |
| Displacement |
2 |
13 |
8 |
8 |
12 |
10 |
| Ballast |
— |
— |
3 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
527 |
629 |
550 |
656 |
665 |
694 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
120 |
— |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
49.9 |
17.7 |
21.2 |
25.6 |
20.0 |
22.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
— |
— |
31.6 |
— |
43.9 |
| Comfort |
6.9 |
— |
16.7 |
18.6 |
23.4 |
20.5 |
| Capsize |
2.52 |
1.87 |
2.34 |
1.95 |
1.98 |
2.07 |
| Hull Speed |
7.1 |
— |
6.9 |
7.6 |
7.4 |
7.4 |