The Oday 28 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
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 22.9′, the Oday 28 tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.9′ LWL = 6.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
203s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
15.8
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
20.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.12
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
839lbs
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
20.7
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
2.12
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 Oday 28 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Tartan 28
177s/nm
Santana 28
180s/nm
Oday 28
203s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Cape Dory 28
225s/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° |
2.5 |
3.1 |
3.5 |
3.6 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Run150–180° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
4.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.4 kts),
SA/D (15.8), 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 Oday 28 — 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 Oday 28.
|
Oday 28 |
Cal 28 2 Hunt |
Cape Dory 28 |
First 285 Beneteau |
Santana 28 |
Tartan 28 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
28.3 |
28.3 |
28.1 |
28.2 |
28.3 |
28.3 |
| LWL |
22.9 |
23.3 |
22.2 |
24.3 |
23.0 |
23.3 |
| Beam |
10.3 |
10.7 |
8.9 |
9.8 |
9.2 |
9.9 |
| Displacement |
7 |
7 |
9 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
| Ballast |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
370 |
401 |
404 |
341 |
— |
408 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
203 |
— |
225 |
— |
180 |
177 |
| SA/Disp |
15.8 |
17.3 |
15.0 |
16.3 |
— |
17.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
39.2 |
38.9 |
34.3 |
34.0 |
43.0 |
| Comfort |
20.7 |
19.2 |
31.7 |
17.8 |
— |
22.0 |
| Capsize |
2.12 |
2.21 |
1.71 |
2.15 |
— |
2.03 |
| Hull Speed |
6.4 |
6.5 |
6.3 |
6.6 |
— |
6.5 |