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Samurai 28
Designer: L. Francis Herreshoff/Eldredge-Mcginnis  ·  Builder: International Marine Japan Ltd. (Jap)  ·  First built: 1958
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About the Samurai 28

Designed by the legendary L. Francis Herreshoff in collaboration with Eldredge-McInnis, this classic 28-footer represents a thoughtful approach to small-boat cruising from the golden age of yacht design. Built by International Marine Japan Ltd. starting in 1958, the Samurai 28 combines traditional craftsmanship with practical offshore capabilities in a compact package. The masthead ketch rig and long keel configuration make this boat particularly well-suited for coastal cruising and short-handed sailing. With 393 square feet of sail area distributed between main and mizzen, the rig offers excellent balance and versatility in varying conditions. The traditional long keel provides exceptional directional stability and seakindly motion, though at some cost to windward performance compared to modern designs. Built in wood with substantial construction throughout, these boats display the robust character typical of Herreshoff designs. The generous beam of 9.67 feet provides good initial stability and interior volume for extended cruising. With only 120 hulls produced, the Samurai 28 remains a relatively rare find today, appealing to sailors who appreciate classic lines, proven seaworthiness, and the distinctive sailing characteristics that made Herreshoff designs legendary among traditionalists.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
Beam 9.67 ft / 2.95 m
Max Draft 3.92 ft / 1.19 m
Displacement 9,500.00 lb / 4,309 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 393.00 ft² / 36.51 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Ketch
Construction Wood
Designer L. Francis Herreshoff/Eldredge-McGinnis
Builder International Marine Japan Ltd. (JAP)
First Built 1958
Number Built 120
Associations NZ H28 Yacht Owners Assoc.
Related Sailboats ["Rozinante Herreshoff" · "Cal 28" · "Pied Piper 28" · "Lone Gull Ii" · "Great Dane 28"]
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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
 14.07
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
 398.3
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
 30.03
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
 1.83
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. 6.29 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.1
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. 760.14 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 16.26
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 35.30 ft / 10.76 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.50 ft / 4.11 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 32.00 ft / 9.75 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.50 ft / 4.11 m
SA Fore 238.28 ft² / 22.14 m²
SA Main 216.00 ft² / 20.07 m²
SA Total (100%) 454.28 ft² / 42.20 m²
Est. Forestay Length 37.79 ft / 11.52 m
How It Compares

vs. Cal 28, Lone Gull Ii, Pied Piper 28

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Samurai 28 ★
28.0 ft
Cal 28
28.0 ft
Lone Gull Ii
28.0 ft
Pied Piper 28
28.0 ft
LWL
Samurai 28 ★
22.0 ft
Cal 28
22.5 ft
Lone Gull Ii
24.0 ft
Pied Piper 28
21.3 ft
Beam
Samurai 28 ★
9.7 ft
Cal 28
9.0 ft
Lone Gull Ii
9.0 ft
Pied Piper 28
8.8 ft
Displacement
Samurai 28 ★
9 lbs
Cal 28
6 lbs
Lone Gull Ii
11 lbs
Pied Piper 28
8 lbs
Ballast
Samurai 28 ★
—
Cal 28
2 lbs
Lone Gull Ii
4 lbs
Pied Piper 28
2 lbs
Sail Area
Samurai 28 ★
393 sq ft
Cal 28
352 sq ft
Lone Gull Ii
390 sq ft
Pied Piper 28
345 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Samurai 28 ★
—
Cal 28
204 s/nm
Lone Gull Ii
—
Pied Piper 28
246 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Samurai 28 ★
14.1
Cal 28
17.1
Lone Gull Ii
12.3
Pied Piper 28
13.4
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Samurai 28 ★
30.0
Cal 28
20.6
Lone Gull Ii
37.8
Pied Piper 28
31.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Samurai 28 ★
1.83
Cal 28
1.98
Lone Gull Ii
1.60
Pied Piper 28
1.72
Hull Speed
Samurai 28 ★
6.3 kts
Cal 28
6.4 kts
Lone Gull Ii
6.6 kts
Pied Piper 28
6.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Samurai 28 ★
1.1
Cal 28
2.3
Lone Gull Ii
—
Pied Piper 28
—
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