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Ohlson 88
Designer: Einar Ohlson  ·  Builder: Bröderna Ohlson (Swe)  ·  First built: 1970
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About the Ohlson 88

Designed by the renowned Swedish naval architect Einar Ohlson, the Ohlson 88 carries the hallmarks of a lineage built on thoughtful, seaworthy design. Ohlson was celebrated for producing boats that balanced performance with comfort, and the 88 follows that tradition closely, making it a compelling option for sailors who want a capable all-rounder rather than a specialist vessel. The Ohlson 88 is well suited to coastal cruising and day sailing, offering a manageable platform for both seasoned sailors and those building their offshore confidence. Its hull form reflects the classic Scandinavian approach to stability and ease of handling, characteristics that have helped Ohlson designs earn loyal followings across generations of owners. While detailed specifications are limited, the boat's reputation among enthusiasts suggests it rewards attentive seamanship and holds up well in varied conditions. Buyers researching the Ohlson 88 will often find that owner communities are an invaluable resource, as these boats tend to attract dedicated caretakers who maintain them with pride. For anyone drawn to classic pedigree and honest sailing character, the Ohlson 88 deserves a closer look.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.87 ft / 8.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.95 ft / 7.30 m
Beam 9.35 ft / 2.85 m
Max Draft 5.12 ft / 1.56 m
Displacement 7,937.00 lb / 3,600 kg
Ballast 2,645.50 lb / 1,200 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Headroom 5.84 ft / 1.78 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Einar Ohlson
Builder Bröderna Ohlson (SWE)
First Built 1970
Last Built 1982
Number Built 325
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
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
33.33
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
257.92
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. 4.8 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 14.28
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.48 ft / 3.50 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 354.00 ft² / 32.89 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Farymann
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 12
Fuel Capacity 12 gals / 45 L
How It Compares

vs. Cal 29, Ericson 29, Shipman 28

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Ohlson 88 ★
28.9 ft
Cal 29
29.0 ft
Ericson 29
28.6 ft
Shipman 28
29.1 ft
LWL
Ohlson 88 ★
24.0 ft
Cal 29
24.0 ft
Ericson 29
22.0 ft
Shipman 28
21.0 ft
Beam
Ohlson 88 ★
9.4 ft
Cal 29
9.3 ft
Ericson 29
9.3 ft
Shipman 28
8.5 ft
Displacement
Ohlson 88 ★
7 lbs
Cal 29
8 lbs
Ericson 29
8 lbs
Shipman 28
6 lbs
Ballast
Ohlson 88 ★
2 lbs
Cal 29
3 lbs
Ericson 29
3 lbs
Shipman 28
2 lbs
Sail Area
Ohlson 88 ★
Cal 29
Ericson 29
436 sq ft
Shipman 28
349 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Ohlson 88 ★
Cal 29
183 s/nm
Ericson 29
210 s/nm
Shipman 28
198 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Ohlson 88 ★
Cal 29
Ericson 29
16.8
Shipman 28
15.9
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Ohlson 88 ★
33.3 %
Cal 29
41.9 %
Ericson 29
45.9 %
Shipman 28
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Ohlson 88 ★
Cal 29
Ericson 29
28.3
Shipman 28
25.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Ohlson 88 ★
Cal 29
Ericson 29
1.82
Shipman 28
1.82
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Ohlson 88 ★
257
Cal 29
258
Ericson 29
356
Shipman 28
Hull Speed
Ohlson 88 ★
Cal 29
Ericson 29
6.3 kts
Shipman 28
6.1 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Ohlson 88 ★
Cal 29
Ericson 29
1.3
Shipman 28
1.5
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