The Santana 28 is designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 23.0′, the Santana 28 tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √23.0′ LWL = 6.4 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
180s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Ballast / Displacement
34.0%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
275
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
6.4kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Santana 28 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Laser 28
Tartan 28
Santana 28
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Oday 28
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Santana 28.
| Santana 28 | Cal 28 2 Hunt | Laser 28 | Oday 28 | Santana 228 | Tartan 28 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 28.3 | 28.3 | 28.4 | 28.3 | 28.3 | 28.3 |
| LWL | 23.0 | 23.3 | 23.6 | 22.9 | 23.0 | 23.3 |
| Beam | 9.2 | 10.7 | 9.5 | 10.3 | 9.2 | 9.9 |
| Displacement | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Ballast | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Sail Area | — | 401 | 365 | 370 | 393 | 408 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 180 | — | 135 | 203 | — | 177 |
| SA/Disp | — | 17.3 | 23.4 | 15.8 | 16.5 | 17.2 |
| Bal/Disp | 34.0 | 39.2 | — | — | — | 43.0 |
| Comfort | — | 19.2 | 12.2 | 20.7 | 24.5 | 22.0 |
| Capsize | — | 2.21 | 2.40 | 2.12 | 1.88 | 2.03 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.5 |