Galion 28 Information, Review, Specs

The creation of the Galion 28 aligns with a pivotal period in British boatbuilding, as Deacons Boat Yard transitioned from traditional wooden construction to the burgeoning field of fiberglass yacht production. Ian Hannay, the designer behind the Galion 28, brought a unique perspective to his craft, having a background as an airline pilot and an Olympic-class sailor. This background likely influenced his designs, emphasizing performance and practical handling.

The Galion 28 entered production at Deacons Boat Yard in 1971. During this time, Deacons was concurrently building the smaller, highly successful Galion 22, also designed by Hannay, which garnered acclaim for its racing capabilities. While specific details on the Galion 28's production run are scarce, suggesting a more limited number of units compared to its smaller sibling, it nevertheless represents Deacons' commitment to expanding their fiberglass offerings with modern designs. There is no readily available information indicating significant variations or marks (e.g., MkI, MkII) during its production.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Galion 28, with its fin keel and fractional sloop rig, was designed to offer a spirited sailing experience. Her hull design is notably slender, reportedly slimmer than a large majority of comparable designs, indicating the designer's intent for a "speedy hull". This characteristic, combined with her relatively light displacement of 6000 lbs for a 27.25-foot sailboat, suggests a vessel that would be responsive and perform well in a range of conditions, especially light to moderate winds. The fin keel contributes to good upwind performance and maneuverability. While specific owner anecdotes about her handling are not widely documented, the design choices point towards a boat that is enjoyable and predictable to sail, offering a good balance of performance for coastal cruising.

Accommodations and Layout

Information regarding the interior accommodations and layout of the Galion 28 is notably sparse in publicly available records. While her length overall of 27.25 feet and beam of 8.0 feet would dictate a compact interior, typical of yachts of her era and size, specific details such as maximum headroom or precise cabin arrangements are not readily found. Generally, sailboats of this size from the early 1970s often featured a V-berth forward, a compact head compartment, a small galley, and a saloon area with settees that could convert into additional berths. Interior finishes would likely have included fiberglass liners combined with some wood trim, offering a functional rather than luxurious environment. Storage might be limited, as is common for vessels in this size class. Due to the limited information, a detailed description of the Galion 28's interior is not comprehensively available.