Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.1 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 28.0′, the Rhodes 28 tops out around 7.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.0′ LWL = 7.1 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
366
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Hull Speed
7.1kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
6lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Rhodes 28 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Lapworth 39
Bristol 39
Columbia 38
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Rhodes 28.
| Rhodes 28 | Bristol 39 | Columbia 38 | Lapworth 39 | Mystery Class Clark | Rhodes 27 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 39.0 | 39.0 | 38.9 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 39.2 |
| LWL | 28.0 | 27.5 | 25.8 | 30.9 | 26.5 | 27.0 |
| Beam | 9.7 | 10.8 | 10.7 | 11.2 | 9.0 | 9.7 |
| Displacement | 18 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 15 | 18 |
| Ballast | — | 6 | 6 | — | 6 | — |
| Sail Area | — | 648 | 650 | 576 | — | 636 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 168 | 180 | 150 | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 15.4 | 18.0 | 13.5 | — | 14.4 |
| Bal/Disp | — | 37.0 | 45.7 | — | — | — |
| Comfort | — | 37.1 | 31.1 | 33.4 | 42.9 | 46.4 |
| Capsize | — | 1.66 | 1.77 | 1.71 | 1.44 | 1.46 |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.0 | 6.8 | 7.5 | 6.9 | 7.0 |