Designed by W. Shad Turner and built from 1977 to 1985, this 28-footer represents solid American craftsmanship from an era when builders focused on creating affordable yet seaworthy cruising boats. The fiberglass construction features a fin keel with spade rudder configuration that delivers responsive handling and respectable performance under sail. With a displacement of 4,900 pounds and generous ballast of 2,200 pounds, the Lancer 28 offers reassuring stability for coastal cruising and weekend adventures. The masthead sloop rig provides 309 square feet of sail area, creating a well-balanced sail plan that's manageable for small crews while still offering spirited performance in moderate conditions. The boat's moderate beam of 8 feet maximizes interior volume while maintaining good sailing characteristics, and the shallow 2.83-foot draft opens up access to shoal waters and smaller harbors. Turner's design philosophy emphasized practical cruising over racing performance, evident in the comfortable motion and forgiving handling characteristics. While production numbers were relatively modest during its eight-year run, the Lancer 28 developed a loyal following among sailors seeking an honest, unpretentious boat for coastal exploration. The design strikes an appealing balance between sailing ability and cruising comfort, making it well-suited for weekend getaways and short-range coastal passages.
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What is the Lancer 28's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Lancer 28 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 17.19. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Lancer 28's comfort ratio?
The Lancer 28 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 18.94. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Lancer 28 safe for offshore sailing?
The Lancer 28 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.89. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Lancer 28?
The theoretical hull speed of the Lancer 28 is 6.55 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Lancer 28 weigh?
The Lancer 28 has a displacement of 4,900.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 27.67 ft.
How much does a used Lancer 28 cost?
Based on 2 recent market listings, used Lancer 28 sailboats typically sell for between $4,500 and $4,500, with a median asking price of $4,500. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Lancer 28?
The Lancer 28 was designed by W. Shad Turner, first built in 1977.