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Stag 28
Designer: Peter Milne  ·  Builder: Emsworth Shipyard  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Stag 28

A compact British cruiser from the 1970s, the Stag 28 was designed with weekend sailing and coastal cruising firmly in mind. Built to offer accessible performance without sacrificing comfort for a small crew or family, the boat earned a modest following among sailors looking for a capable and manageable passage-maker along the coastal waters of the UK and beyond. With its era-typical fin keel configuration and a design philosophy oriented toward stability and ease of handling, the Stag 28 suits sailors who prioritize confidence at sea over outright racing performance. Its proportions make it well-suited to short-handed sailing, allowing one or two people to manage the boat comfortably in a variety of conditions. While not a widely documented design in the same league as more prolific British production boats of the period, the Stag 28 holds quiet appeal for those drawn to vintage cruisers with genuine character. Buyers considering one today should pay close attention to the condition of the hull and rigging, as examples vary considerably in how well they have been maintained over the decades.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.67 ft / 7.52 m
Beam 9.83 ft / 3.00 m
Max Draft 4.42 ft / 1.35 m
Displacement 7,500.00 lb / 3,402 kg
Ballast 2,800.00 lb / 1,270 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 285.00 ft² / 26.48 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Peter Milne
Builder Emsworth Shipyard
First Built 1976
Last Built 1980
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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
11.94
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
21.51
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
2.01
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. 6.66
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. 866.5
How It Compares

vs. Grampian 28, Ranger 28, S2 85

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Stag 28 ★
28.0 ft
Grampian 28
28.0 ft
Ranger 28
28.0 ft
S2 85
28.0 ft
LWL
Stag 28 ★
24.7 ft
Grampian 28
24.5 ft
Ranger 28
21.7 ft
S2 85
22.5 ft
Beam
Stag 28 ★
9.8 ft
Grampian 28
9.5 ft
Ranger 28
9.6 ft
S2 85
9.5 ft
Displacement
Stag 28 ★
7 lbs
Grampian 28
6 lbs
Ranger 28
5 lbs
S2 85
7 lbs
Ballast
Stag 28 ★
2 lbs
Grampian 28
3 lbs
Ranger 28
2 lbs
S2 85
3 lbs
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Stag 28 ★
Grampian 28
198 s/nm
Ranger 28
185 s/nm
S2 85
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Stag 28 ★
Grampian 28
44.4 %
Ranger 28
55.0 %
S2 85
39.5 %
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Stag 28 ★
Grampian 28
209
Ranger 28
222
S2 85
297
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