Yamaha 28 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Yamaha 28 began production in 1980, conceived by the Japanese maritime architect bureau, the Yamaha Design Team. During this era, Yamaha's marine division, deeply influenced by founder Genichi Kawakami's "enjoy life" philosophy, was expanding its expertise from motor vehicles to marine products. The company was a pioneer in adopting Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) technology for boat construction, mastering a material that would revolutionize the industry. This focus on precision in manufacturing, achieving hull tolerances of ±1 mm through advanced CAD and CNC machining, underpinned Yamaha's reputation for quality in its sailboat range.

The design philosophy behind the Yamaha 28 likely mirrored that of other successful Yamaha models of the period, aiming to deliver well-engineered, reliable, and performance-oriented vessels. The company sought to balance cruising comfort with agile sailing characteristics, a hallmark of the "Yamaha Design Team's" approach.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Yamaha 28 is characterized as a moderate weight sailboat with good performance, offering a blend of stability and responsiveness. With a reported sail area of 385 square feet and a displacement of 6,329 pounds, its Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of approximately 17.85 suggests a boat capable of performing adequately in lighter air, without being an extreme light-wind specialist.

The boat's ballast of 2,205 pounds contributes to a Ballast to Displacement ratio of around 0.348. This indicates reasonable stability, allowing the boat to stand up to a fair amount of wind, though it might not be as stiff as vessels with higher ratios designed for more aggressive offshore racing. The fin keel and spade rudder contribute to its maneuverability. Its Displacement to Length ratio (D/L) of approximately 222.47 categorizes it as a moderate displacement cruiser-racer. While it is noted to be "reasonably stable / stiff," it also possesses a "low righting capability if capsized," suggesting it is best suited for coastal cruising rather than extreme offshore conditions.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Yamaha 28, typical for a vessel of its length, is designed to provide essential comforts for coastal cruising. The accommodation layout generally features a V-berth forward, suitable for two, complemented by an opening hatch for ventilation. The main salon typically includes two single berths, maximizing sleeping capacity within its 28-foot length. The boat is equipped with a freshwater capacity of 40 gallons (151 liters), providing ample supply for weekend trips or extended coastal voyages. It also carries 16 gallons of diesel fuel for its 18 HP Yanmar engine. The general finish quality, often described as tidy and original in well-maintained examples, reflects Yamaha's attention to robust, functional construction in its fiberglass hulls and decks.