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Shipman 28
Designer: Olle Enderlein  ·  Builder: Shipman(Swe) Fiberman(Ire) Visby  ·  First built: 1969
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About the Shipman 28

Designed as a capable and accessible pocket cruiser, the Shipman 28 earned a quiet reputation among sailors looking for a reliable coastal and inland cruising platform. Built during an era when practical, no-nonsense sailing was prized over flashy performance, this compact sloop appeals to those who want a manageable boat without sacrificing genuine seaworthiness. The Shipman 28 is particularly well suited to sheltered coastal waters, lakes, and estuary sailing, where its modest size becomes an advantage rather than a limitation. Singlehanded or short-handed sailing is very much within its character, making it a popular choice for weekend explorers and those stepping up from smaller dinghies or daysailers into true overnight cruising. While detailed specifications remain limited in many catalogues, the boat's enduring presence in the secondhand market speaks to its durability and ease of maintenance — qualities that matter greatly to budget-conscious buyers. Prospective owners tend to appreciate the Shipman 28 for its simplicity and honest sailing manners rather than outright speed or offshore ambition. For anyone seeking an entry point into cruising without overcomplicating the experience, it remains a worthwhile candidate to investigate.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.06 ft / 8.86 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
Beam 8.53 ft / 2.60 m
Max Draft 5.09 ft / 1.55 m
Displacement 6,614.00 lb / 3,000 kg
Ballast 2,667.00 lb / 1,210 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 349.00 ft² / 32.42 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Olle Enderlein
Builder Shipman(SWE) Fiberman(IRE) Visby
First Built 1969
Last Built 1979
Related Sailboats Contest 29 · Cal 29 · Gk 29 Westerly · Leisure 29 · Starlight 30
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
198
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
15.9
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
25.11
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
1.82
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. 6.14
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
1.53
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. 640.05
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 35.1
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.66
P (Mainsail Luff) 31.82
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.17
ISP (Spinnaker Luff) 35.1
SPL/TPS 11.68
SA Fore 187.08
SA Main 161.8
How It Compares

vs. Cal 29, Contest 29, Gk 29 Westerly, Leisure 29, Starlight 30

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Shipman 28 ★
29.1 ft
Cal 29
29.0 ft
Contest 29
29.0 ft
Gk 29 Westerly
29.0 ft
Leisure 29
29.1 ft
Starlight 30
29.2 ft
LWL
Shipman 28 ★
21.0 ft
Cal 29
24.0 ft
Contest 29
24.0 ft
Gk 29 Westerly
27.6 ft
Leisure 29
25.0 ft
Starlight 30
23.2 ft
Beam
Shipman 28 ★
8.5 ft
Cal 29
9.3 ft
Contest 29
8.3 ft
Gk 29 Westerly
10.3 ft
Leisure 29
9.2 ft
Starlight 30
10.0 ft
Displacement
Shipman 28 ★
6 lbs
Cal 29
8 lbs
Contest 29
8 lbs
Gk 29 Westerly
6 lbs
Leisure 29
7 lbs
Starlight 30
7 lbs
Ballast
Shipman 28 ★
2 lbs
Cal 29
3 lbs
Contest 29
3 lbs
Gk 29 Westerly
3 lbs
Leisure 29
3 lbs
Starlight 30
4 lbs
Sail Area
Shipman 28 ★
349 sq ft
Cal 29
Contest 29
Gk 29 Westerly
Leisure 29
265 sq ft
Starlight 30
465 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Shipman 28 ★
198 s/nm
Cal 29
183 s/nm
Contest 29
234 s/nm
Gk 29 Westerly
Leisure 29
Starlight 30
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Shipman 28 ★
15.9
Cal 29
Contest 29
6.9
Gk 29 Westerly
Leisure 29
11.1
Starlight 30
19.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Shipman 28 ★
Cal 29
41.9 %
Contest 29
38.8 %
Gk 29 Westerly
50.0 %
Leisure 29
44.9 %
Starlight 30
58.9 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Shipman 28 ★
25.1
Cal 29
Contest 29
Gk 29 Westerly
Leisure 29
22.9
Starlight 30
21.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Shipman 28 ★
1.82
Cal 29
Contest 29
Gk 29 Westerly
Leisure 29
1.89
Starlight 30
2.07
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Shipman 28 ★
Cal 29
258
Contest 29
274
Gk 29 Westerly
127
Leisure 29
214
Starlight 30
262
Hull Speed
Shipman 28 ★
6.1 kts
Cal 29
Contest 29
Gk 29 Westerly
Leisure 29
6.7 kts
Starlight 30
6.5 kts
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