The Twister 28 Holman is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a gentle bluewater motion.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 21.5′, the Twister 28 Holman tops out around 6.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √21.5′ LWL = 6.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
12.1
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Comfort Ratio
40.5
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.50
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
621lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
40.5
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.50
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Twister 28 Holman sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Cape Dory 28
225s/nm
Westsail 28
267s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.1 |
2.7 |
3.0 |
3.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.6 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Run150–180° |
2.3 |
2.9 |
3.3 |
3.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.2 kts),
SA/D (12.1), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Twister 28 Holman — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–22 kts
22–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Twister 28 Holman.
|
Twister 28 Holman |
Cape Dory 28 |
Hallberg Rassy P 28 |
Trapper 28 |
Triton Pearson |
Westsail 28 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
28.3 |
28.1 |
28.3 |
28.2 |
28.3 |
28.3 |
| LWL |
21.5 |
22.2 |
21.0 |
22.0 |
21.5 |
23.5 |
| Beam |
8.1 |
8.9 |
7.8 |
8.3 |
8.3 |
9.6 |
| Displacement |
9 |
9 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
13 |
| Ballast |
4 |
3 |
— |
2 |
3 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
348 |
404 |
371 |
— |
— |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
225 |
— |
— |
— |
267 |
| SA/Disp |
12.1 |
15.0 |
16.5 |
— |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
38.9 |
— |
47.1 |
43.6 |
31.1 |
| Comfort |
40.5 |
31.7 |
29.8 |
— |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
1.50 |
1.71 |
1.64 |
— |
— |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.2 |
6.3 |
6.1 |
— |
— |
— |