Alumaat 28 Information, Review, Specs

The Alumaat 28 began production in 1966, a period that marked a significant transition for Royal Huisman. Having established a strong reputation for crafting traditional wooden vessels, the shipyard pivoted its focus towards wooden sailing yachts by the 1950s. By the 1960s, Royal Huisman embarked on mastering advanced materials like aluminum, creating the Alumaat 28 as one of their initial ventures into metal yacht construction., 5, 7]

The design itself came from Ericus Gerhardus van de Stadt, a prominent Dutch yacht designer known for his innovative approach and often credited as a founder of industrial yacht building. Van de Stadt's design philosophy consistently emphasized speed, comfort, safety, and quality. His work often featured light construction, a principle he famously proved with a class victory in the 1951 Fastnet Race. The Alumaat 28 embodies this ethos, showcasing a multi-chine aluminum hull designed for efficient performance and robust construction. The extremely limited production run of just three boats underscores its bespoke nature, characteristic of Royal Huisman's early custom builds before their specialization in superyachts.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Alumaat 28 is characterized as a light sailboat with a reported sail area of 215 square feet, which, when coupled with its displacement of 3,616 pounds, suggests a nimble vessel. Equipped with a fin keel and a spade rudder, the Alumaat 28 is designed for responsiveness and good directional control. Descriptions indicate it is a stable and stiff boat, capable of standing up to a breeze, though it is noted as being slightly underpowered. Its comfort value is rated as higher than 18% of similar sailboat designs, suggesting a relatively comfortable motion for a vessel of its size. Its hull speed is calculated at approximately 6.19 knots, making it a capable coastal cruiser or weekender.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its custom build and limited production of only three units, specific detailed interior layouts or photographs for the Alumaat 28 are not widely documented. As a 27-foot sailboat designed in the mid-1960s, the interior of the Alumaat 28 would typically feature a functional, compact layout aimed at maximizing utility within its dimensions. Common arrangements for vessels of this size and era often include a V-berth forward, a compact galley area, a small salon with opposing settees, and potentially a quarter berth or dedicated navigation station, though the exact configuration on each of the three custom-built Alumaat 28s would likely vary. Construction materials for the interior would likely reflect the builder's quality, though specific finishes are unconfirmed by available data.