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Hutton 28
Designer: Paul Hutton  ·  Builder: Hutton Yachts (Australia)  ·  First built: 1980
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About the Hutton 28

Designed by Paul Hutton and built by Hutton Yachts in Australia beginning in 1980, this 28-footer represents solid Australian craftsmanship from the early 1980s sailing boom. The fiberglass construction features a fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration, providing reliable directional stability while maintaining reasonable performance characteristics. With a displacement of just over 5,000 pounds and nearly half that weight in ballast, the Hutton 28 strikes a balance between stability and sailing ability. The fractional sloop rig spreads 396 square feet of sail area across the moderate beam, creating a sail-to-displacement ratio that favors comfortable cruising over pure racing performance. Her hull speed of 6.49 knots reflects typical expectations for this size range. The boat's comfort ratio of 16 indicates a relatively stiff, quick motion that some sailors prefer for responsive handling, while the capsize screening formula of 2.18 suggests reasonable stability for coastal and protected water sailing. The design appears well-suited for weekend cruising, club racing, and learning advanced sailing skills. Australian builders of this era were known for solid construction standards, and the Hutton 28's specifications suggest a practical boat built for the demanding conditions of Australian coastal waters.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.66 ft / 8.43 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.49 ft / 7.16 m
Beam 9.32 ft / 2.84 m
Max Draft 4.92 ft / 1.50 m
Displacement 5,009.00 lb / 2,272 kg
Ballast 2,205.00 lb / 1,000 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 396.00 ft² / 36.79 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Paul Hutton
Builder Hutton Yachts (AUSTRALIA)
First Built 1980
Related Sailboats Contessa 28 · Lancer 28 · Caliber 28 · Tanzer 28 · Crown 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
21.71
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
44.02
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
172.53
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
16
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
2.18
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. 6.49 kn
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. 782.25 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Caliber 28, Contessa 28, Crown 28, Lancer 28, Tanzer 28

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hutton 28 ★
27.7 ft
Caliber 28
27.5 ft
Contessa 28
27.7 ft
Crown 28
27.8 ft
Lancer 28
27.7 ft
Tanzer 28
27.6 ft
LWL
Hutton 28 ★
23.5 ft
Caliber 28
24.3 ft
Contessa 28
22.0 ft
Crown 28
23.3 ft
Lancer 28
23.9 ft
Tanzer 28
23.5 ft
Beam
Hutton 28 ★
9.3 ft
Caliber 28
10.8 ft
Contessa 28
9.4 ft
Crown 28
8.8 ft
Lancer 28
8.0 ft
Tanzer 28
9.8 ft
Displacement
Hutton 28 ★
5 lbs
Caliber 28
7 lbs
Contessa 28
6 lbs
Crown 28
6 lbs
Lancer 28
4 lbs
Tanzer 28
6 lbs
Ballast
Hutton 28 ★
2 lbs
Caliber 28
3 lbs
Contessa 28
2 lbs
Crown 28
2 lbs
Lancer 28
2 lbs
Tanzer 28
2 lbs
Sail Area
Hutton 28 ★
396 sq ft
Caliber 28
428 sq ft
Contessa 28
Crown 28
Lancer 28
309 sq ft
Tanzer 28
346 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Hutton 28 ★
Caliber 28
186 s/nm
Contessa 28
171 s/nm
Crown 28
Lancer 28
258 s/nm
Tanzer 28
207 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Hutton 28 ★
21.7
Caliber 28
18.4
Contessa 28
Crown 28
Lancer 28
17.2
Tanzer 28
15.9
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Hutton 28 ★
44.0 %
Caliber 28
43.1 %
Contessa 28
40.2 %
Crown 28
43.3 %
Lancer 28
44.9 %
Tanzer 28
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hutton 28 ★
16.0
Caliber 28
18.4
Contessa 28
Crown 28
Lancer 28
18.9
Tanzer 28
19.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Hutton 28 ★
2.18
Caliber 28
2.25
Contessa 28
Crown 28
Lancer 28
1.89
Tanzer 28
2.11
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hutton 28 ★
172
Caliber 28
223
Contessa 28
292
Crown 28
235
Lancer 28
159
Tanzer 28
Hull Speed
Hutton 28 ★
6.5 kts
Caliber 28
6.6 kts
Contessa 28
Crown 28
Lancer 28
6.6 kts
Tanzer 28
6.5 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Hutton 28 ★
Caliber 28
2.5
Contessa 28
Crown 28
Lancer 28
3.3
Tanzer 28
2.4
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