The J28 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 24.0′, the J28 tops out around 6.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √24.0′ LWL = 6.6 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
16.7
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
22.4
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.01
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
858lbs
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
22.4
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
2.01
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 J28 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Ericson 28
180s/nm
Pearson 28 2
192s/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° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.1 |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.8 |
4.9 |
5.4 |
5.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.5 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Run150–180° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.6 kts),
SA/D (16.7), 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 J28 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 J28.
|
J28 |
Cc 29 2 |
Ericson 28 |
Hunter 285 |
Pearson 28 2 |
Sabre 28 3 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
28.5 |
28.5 |
28.5 |
28.4 |
28.5 |
28.4 |
| LWL |
24.0 |
22.3 |
24.2 |
23.8 |
24.4 |
22.8 |
| Beam |
10.0 |
9.4 |
10.5 |
10.5 |
9.8 |
9.2 |
| Displacement |
7 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
| Ballast |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
412 |
396 |
422 |
398 |
384 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
180 |
— |
192 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
16.7 |
17.9 |
17.7 |
17.5 |
16.8 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
40.3 |
40.0 |
42.9 |
36.4 |
39.7 |
| Comfort |
22.4 |
21.6 |
19.9 |
18.8 |
20.1 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.01 |
2.00 |
2.15 |
2.20 |
2.06 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.6 |
6.3 |
6.6 |
6.5 |
6.6 |
— |