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Normandy
Designer: Laurent Giles  ·  First built: 1955
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About the Normandy

Bearing a name that evokes the rugged coastlines of northern France, the Normandy sailboat carries with it a sense of purposeful, sea-ready character. While detailed specifications for this vessel remain limited, the Normandy has earned a reputation as a capable and practical sailing craft suited to those who value dependability on the water over flashy performance metrics. Designed with an emphasis on seaworthiness, the Normandy is generally well-regarded as a coastal and near-offshore cruising boat, appealing to sailors who want a reliable platform for weekend passages and extended coastal exploration. Its build tends to reflect a traditional approach to sailboat design, prioritizing stability and comfort in a variety of conditions over outright racing speed. For prospective buyers, the Normandy represents an accessible entry point into cruising sailing, particularly for those drawn to a boat with a straightforward, no-nonsense character. Its enduring presence in the used boat market speaks to the loyalty it inspires among owners. Researching individual examples carefully and seeking a thorough survey is recommended, as build quality and condition can vary across production years.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.66 ft / 8.43 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.39 ft / 6.52 m
Beam 7.64 ft / 2.33 m
Max Draft 5.25 ft / 1.60 m
Displacement 7,700.00 lb / 3,493 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 355.00 ft² / 32.98 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood
Designer Laurent Giles
First Built 1955
Last Built 1970
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
14.61
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
34.06
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
1.55
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. 6.2
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. 583.92
How It Compares

vs. Corinthian 28, East Anglian 28, Indra 28

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Normandy ★
27.7 ft
Corinthian 28
27.8 ft
East Anglian 28
27.8 ft
Indra 28
27.7 ft
LWL
Normandy ★
21.4 ft
Corinthian 28
21.3 ft
East Anglian 28
21.0 ft
Indra 28
20.0 ft
Beam
Normandy ★
7.6 ft
Corinthian 28
8.7 ft
East Anglian 28
8.0 ft
Indra 28
8.0 ft
Displacement
Normandy ★
7 lbs
Corinthian 28
6 lbs
East Anglian 28
9 lbs
Indra 28
5 lbs
Ballast
Normandy ★
Corinthian 28
2 lbs
East Anglian 28
4 lbs
Indra 28
2 lbs
Sail Area
Normandy ★
355 sq ft
Corinthian 28
East Anglian 28
Indra 28
313 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Normandy ★
14.6
Corinthian 28
East Anglian 28
Indra 28
15.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Normandy ★
Corinthian 28
35.0 %
East Anglian 28
49.5 %
Indra 28
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Normandy ★
34.1
Corinthian 28
East Anglian 28
Indra 28
26.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Normandy ★
1.55
Corinthian 28
East Anglian 28
Indra 28
1.76
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Normandy ★
Corinthian 28
319
East Anglian 28
448
Indra 28
Hull Speed
Normandy ★
6.2 kts
Corinthian 28
East Anglian 28
Indra 28
6.0 kts
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