Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.5 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 23.5′, the Westsail 28 tops out around 6.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √23.5′ LWL = 6.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
267s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Ballast / Displacement
31.1%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
464
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Hull Speed
6.5kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Westsail 28 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cape Dory 28
Westsail 28
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Westsail 28.
| Westsail 28 | Aloa 27 | Cape Dory 28 | Trapper 400 | Triton Pearson | Twister 28 Holman | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 28.3 | 28.2 | 28.1 | 28.2 | 28.3 | 28.3 |
| LWL | 23.5 | 23.8 | 22.2 | 22.0 | 21.5 | 21.5 |
| Beam | 9.6 | 9.4 | 8.9 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.1 |
| Displacement | 13 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 9 |
| Ballast | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Sail Area | — | 398 | 404 | — | — | 348 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 267 | — | 225 | — | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 18.9 | 15.0 | — | — | 12.1 |
| Bal/Disp | 31.1 | 33.8 | 38.9 | 47.1 | 43.6 | — |
| Comfort | — | 19.4 | 31.7 | — | — | 40.5 |
| Capsize | — | 2.04 | 1.71 | — | — | 1.50 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.5 | 6.3 | — | — | 6.2 |