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Hinckley 28
Designer: John Alden  ·  Builder: Henry R. Hinckley & Co.  ·  First built: 1945
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About the Hinckley 28

Built during the early years of Hinckley's legendary reputation for premium sailboats, the Hinckley 28 represents the yard's commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and sailing performance in a more compact package. This model emerged when the Southwest Harbor, Maine builder was establishing itself as America's premier luxury yacht manufacturer, bringing their meticulous attention to detail to the smaller boat market. The 28-footer showcases classic Hinckley design DNA with elegant proportions and sophisticated construction techniques that became the company's hallmark. While smaller than Hinckley's flagship models, this boat maintains the yard's reputation for impeccable joinery work and robust engineering. The design philosophy emphasizes quality over quantity, resulting in a vessel that punches above its weight class in terms of build quality and sailing refinement. Ideally suited for coastal cruising and day sailing, the Hinckley 28 appeals to sailors who appreciate traditional craftsmanship and want a manageable boat without sacrificing the prestige and performance associated with the Hinckley name. Its size makes it an excellent choice for couples or small families seeking weekend adventures while enjoying the comfort and reliability that define this respected Maine builder's legacy.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.75 ft / 12.42 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Displacement 19,810.00 lb / 8,986 kg
Ballast 8,450.00 lb / 3,833 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 772.00 ft² / 71.72 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood
Designer John Alden
Builder Henry R. Hinckley & Co.
First Built 1945
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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
16.94
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
44.79
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
1.48
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. 7.09
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
1.11
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 35.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.5
P (Mainsail Luff) 49.5
E (Mainsail Foot) 21.75
SA Fore 236.25
SA Main 538.31
How It Compares

vs. Empire 40, Rhodes 41 Pearson, Rhodes Reliant 41

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hinckley 28 ★
40.8 ft
Empire 40
40.8 ft
Rhodes 41 Pearson
40.8 ft
Rhodes Reliant 41
40.8 ft
LWL
Hinckley 28 ★
28.0 ft
Empire 40
28.0 ft
Rhodes 41 Pearson
28.0 ft
Rhodes Reliant 41
28.0 ft
Beam
Hinckley 28 ★
10.0 ft
Empire 40
12.5 ft
Rhodes 41 Pearson
10.3 ft
Rhodes Reliant 41
10.8 ft
Displacement
Hinckley 28 ★
19 lbs
Empire 40
21 lbs
Rhodes 41 Pearson
18 lbs
Rhodes Reliant 41
22 lbs
Ballast
Hinckley 28 ★
8 lbs
Empire 40
Rhodes 41 Pearson
8 lbs
Rhodes Reliant 41
8 lbs
Sail Area
Hinckley 28 ★
772 sq ft
Empire 40
Rhodes 41 Pearson
725 sq ft
Rhodes Reliant 41
803 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Hinckley 28 ★
16.9
Empire 40
Rhodes 41 Pearson
16.5
Rhodes Reliant 41
16.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Hinckley 28 ★
Empire 40
Rhodes 41 Pearson
43.0 %
Rhodes Reliant 41
37.4 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hinckley 28 ★
44.8
Empire 40
Rhodes 41 Pearson
41.1
Rhodes Reliant 41
45.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Hinckley 28 ★
1.48
Empire 40
Rhodes 41 Pearson
1.54
Rhodes Reliant 41
1.54
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hinckley 28 ★
Empire 40
427
Rhodes 41 Pearson
382
Rhodes Reliant 41
447
Hull Speed
Hinckley 28 ★
7.1 kts
Empire 40
Rhodes 41 Pearson
7.1 kts
Rhodes Reliant 41
7.1 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Hinckley 28 ★
1.1
Empire 40
Rhodes 41 Pearson
1.2
Rhodes Reliant 41
0.8
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