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Wolverine 28
Designer: Alan Gurney  ·  Builder: The Rainbow Company (Usa)  ·  First built: 1963
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About the Wolverine 28

A sturdy and capable mid-sized sailboat, the Wolverine 28 represents the kind of practical cruising design that appeals to sailors seeking a reliable vessel for coastal and near-offshore adventures. With a name that evokes toughness and tenacity, this boat carries a reputation as a no-nonsense platform suited to sailors who prioritize seaworthiness and dependability over luxury appointments. While detailed specifications for the Wolverine 28 are limited in available records, the design appears oriented toward weekending and coastal cruising, offering enough interior volume for a small crew to live aboard comfortably for short passages. Boats of this class and era typically balance manageable deck layouts with enough sail area to perform well in a variety of conditions, making them accessible to singlehanders and couples alike. For the budget-conscious sailor or those new to bluewater-adjacent sailing, the Wolverine 28 can represent an attractive entry point into meaningful offshore-capable cruising. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek out current owners and class communities to gather firsthand accounts of performance, maintenance considerations, and any known design quirks before committing to a purchase.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.16 ft / 8.58 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.33 ft / 7.11 m
Beam 7.50 ft / 2.29 m
Max Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 6,800.00 lb / 3,084 kg
Ballast Iron
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction ALU multi-chine
Designer Alan Gurney
Builder The Rainbow Company (USA)
First Built 1963
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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
192
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
239.07
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. 3.75 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 13.33
P (Mainsail Luff) 298.00 ft² / 27.69 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 239.07
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