The Hydro 28 is 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.
6.5 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 23.8′, the Hydro 28 tops out around 6.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √23.8′ LWL = 6.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Displacement / Length
180
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
15.5
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.29
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
6.5kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
849lbs
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
15.5
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
2.29
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 Hydro 28 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Ajax 28
Islander 28
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Hydro 28.
| Hydro 28 | Ajax 28 | Cc 27 Mk Iii | Dehler 28 | Islander 28 | Tanzer 85 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 27.9 | 28.0 | 27.9 | 27.9 | 27.9 | 27.9 |
| LWL | 23.8 | 23.2 | 22.9 | 22.3 | 23.1 | 23.8 |
| Beam | 10.0 | 9.0 | 9.2 | 9.2 | 9.8 | 9.5 |
| Displacement | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Ballast | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Sail Area | — | 364 | 344 | 369 | 361 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 186 | — | — | 186 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 17.3 | 17.7 | 19.0 | 15.8 | — |
| Bal/Disp | — | 43.6 | 38.5 | 40.0 | 42.9 | 40.5 |
| Comfort | 15.5 | 20.9 | 18.3 | 18.5 | 21.0 | — |
| Capsize | 2.29 | 1.96 | 2.08 | 2.08 | 2.06 | — |
| Hull Speed | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.4 | 6.3 | 6.4 | — |