The Cape Dory 28 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
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 22.2′, the Cape Dory 28 tops out around 6.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.2′ LWL = 6.3 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
225s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
15.0
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
38.9%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
367
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
31.7
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.71
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
704lbs
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
31.7
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.71
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 Cape Dory 28 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Viking 28
185s/nm
Sabre 28 1
186s/nm
Aloha 28
195s/nm
Grampian 28
198s/nm
Cape Dory 28
225s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
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° |
2.4 |
3.0 |
3.3 |
3.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.1 |
4.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Run150–180° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.3 kts),
SA/D (15.0), 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 Cape Dory 28 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Cape Dory 28.
|
Cape Dory 28 |
Aloha 28 |
Grampian 28 |
Pearson 28 1975 80 |
Sabre 28 1 |
Viking 28 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
28.1 |
28.0 |
28.0 |
28.0 |
28.0 |
28.2 |
| LWL |
22.2 |
24.5 |
24.5 |
24.0 |
22.8 |
22.0 |
| Beam |
8.9 |
9.4 |
9.5 |
9.3 |
9.0 |
8.4 |
| Displacement |
9 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
4 |
| Ballast |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| Sail Area |
404 |
373 |
384 |
395 |
391 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
225 |
195 |
198 |
— |
186 |
185 |
| SA/Disp |
15.0 |
16.8 |
17.0 |
16.1 |
17.3 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
38.9 |
44.4 |
44.4 |
45.0 |
42.0 |
47.1 |
| Comfort |
31.7 |
20.6 |
20.8 |
24.9 |
23.4 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.71 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
1.86 |
1.89 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.3 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.4 |
— |