The Formula 28 is designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.3 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 22.3′, the Formula 28 tops out around 6.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.3′ 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
159s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Ballast / Displacement
43.4%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
168
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
6.3kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
4lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Formula 28 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Formula 28
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Aloha 28
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Formula 28.
| Formula 28 | Aloha 28 | Ericson 28 2 | Pearson 28 1975 80 | S2 86 | Southerly 28 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 28.0 | 28.0 | 28.0 | 28.0 | 28.0 | 28.0 |
| LWL | 22.3 | 24.5 | 23.3 | 24.0 | 22.5 | 24.0 |
| Beam | 8.2 | 9.4 | 10.0 | 9.3 | 9.5 | 9.0 |
| Displacement | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| Ballast | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — |
| Sail Area | — | 373 | 411 | 395 | 390 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 159 | 195 | — | — | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.8 | 17.2 | 16.1 | 16.2 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 43.4 | 44.4 | — | 45.0 | — | — |
| Comfort | — | 20.6 | 21.8 | 24.9 | 24.2 | 27.9 |
| Capsize | — | 2.00 | 2.05 | 1.86 | 1.94 | 1.77 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.6 | 6.5 | 6.6 | 6.4 | 6.6 |