The Contessa 28 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
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 22.0′, the Contessa 28 tops out around 6.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.0′ LWL = 6.3 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
171s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
14.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
40.2%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
292
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
22.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.98
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
4lbs
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
22.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.98
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Contessa 28 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Contessa 28
171s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Caliber 28
186s/nm
Tanzer 28
207s/nm
Lancer 28
258s/nm
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° |
2.4 |
3.0 |
3.3 |
3.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.7 |
| Run150–180° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.6 |
3.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.3 kts),
SA/D (14.9), 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 Contessa 28 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ 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 Contessa 28.
|
Contessa 28 |
Caliber 28 |
Contessa 27 |
Crown 28 |
Lancer 28 |
Tanzer 28 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
27.7 |
27.5 |
27.5 |
27.8 |
27.7 |
27.6 |
| LWL |
22.0 |
24.3 |
23.5 |
23.3 |
23.9 |
23.5 |
| Beam |
9.4 |
10.8 |
10.0 |
8.8 |
8.0 |
9.8 |
| Displacement |
6 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
| Ballast |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Sail Area |
338 |
428 |
413 |
372 |
309 |
346 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
171 |
186 |
— |
— |
258 |
207 |
| SA/Disp |
14.9 |
18.4 |
20.7 |
16.8 |
17.2 |
15.9 |
| Bal/Disp |
40.2 |
43.1 |
45.4 |
43.3 |
44.9 |
— |
| Comfort |
22.9 |
18.4 |
16.8 |
23.1 |
18.9 |
19.4 |
| Capsize |
1.98 |
2.25 |
2.24 |
1.88 |
1.89 |
2.11 |
| Hull Speed |
6.3 |
6.6 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
6.6 |
6.5 |