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Sovereign 28
 ·  Builder: Sovereign Yacht Co. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1983
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About the Sovereign 28

A compact coastal cruiser with modest ambitions, the Sovereign 28 represents the kind of no-frills sailboat that appeals to sailors looking for an affordable entry point into overnight passages and weekend cruising. Designed with simplicity in mind, this vessel suits those who prioritize ease of handling and low maintenance over high-performance sailing characteristics. With limited documentation available, the Sovereign 28 remains something of an understated presence in the sailboat market, rarely commanding the enthusiast following of more celebrated designs from its era. That said, boats of this size and type typically offer a manageable platform for sailors developing their skills on sheltered waters and nearshore coastal routes. The 28-foot length puts it in a practical range for a small crew or solo sailor navigating day trips and short overnight adventures. Prospective buyers should approach the Sovereign 28 with thorough due diligence, as the relative scarcity of published specifications and owner documentation makes independent survey and inspection especially important. For the right buyer seeking a budget-conscious entry into cruising sailboats, it may offer solid fundamental value.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
Beam 8.33 ft / 2.54 m
Max Draft 3.25 ft / 0.99 m
Displacement 6,800.00 lb / 3,084 kg
Ballast 2,400.00 lb / 1,089 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Builder Sovereign Yacht Co. (USA)
First Built 1983
Last Built 1996
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
234
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
35.29
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
249.5
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. 4.11 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 15.25
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.70 ft / 3.87 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 341.00 ft² / 31.68 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) BMW
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 17 gals / 64 L
Water Capacity 19 gals / 72 L
How It Compares

vs. Aloha 28, Ericson 28 2, Pearson 28 1975 80

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Sovereign 28 ★
28.0 ft
Aloha 28
28.0 ft
Ericson 28 2
28.0 ft
Pearson 28 1975 80
28.0 ft
LWL
Sovereign 28 ★
23.0 ft
Aloha 28
24.5 ft
Ericson 28 2
23.3 ft
Pearson 28 1975 80
24.0 ft
Beam
Sovereign 28 ★
8.3 ft
Aloha 28
9.4 ft
Ericson 28 2
10.0 ft
Pearson 28 1975 80
9.3 ft
Displacement
Sovereign 28 ★
6 lbs
Aloha 28
6 lbs
Ericson 28 2
7 lbs
Pearson 28 1975 80
7 lbs
Ballast
Sovereign 28 ★
2 lbs
Aloha 28
3 lbs
Ericson 28 2
3 lbs
Pearson 28 1975 80
3 lbs
Sail Area
Sovereign 28 ★
Aloha 28
373 sq ft
Ericson 28 2
411 sq ft
Pearson 28 1975 80
395 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Sovereign 28 ★
234 s/nm
Aloha 28
195 s/nm
Ericson 28 2
Pearson 28 1975 80
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Sovereign 28 ★
Aloha 28
16.8
Ericson 28 2
17.2
Pearson 28 1975 80
16.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Sovereign 28 ★
35.3 %
Aloha 28
44.4 %
Ericson 28 2
Pearson 28 1975 80
45.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Sovereign 28 ★
Aloha 28
20.6
Ericson 28 2
21.8
Pearson 28 1975 80
24.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Sovereign 28 ★
Aloha 28
2.00
Ericson 28 2
2.05
Pearson 28 1975 80
1.86
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Sovereign 28 ★
249
Aloha 28
204
Ericson 28 2
Pearson 28 1975 80
253
Hull Speed
Sovereign 28 ★
Aloha 28
6.6 kts
Ericson 28 2
6.5 kts
Pearson 28 1975 80
6.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Sovereign 28 ★
Aloha 28
2.6
Ericson 28 2
2.1
Pearson 28 1975 80
2.0
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