Design and Construction
The Corsair 28 measures 28 feet 5 inches overall and 19 feet 8 inches across. Its folding amas stow for road transport, making that substantial sailing beam manageable for trailering. Displacement is 2,690 pounds, and the boat has a daggerboard and outboard rudder.
The main hull has flat rocker through its midsections, a feature Farrier credited with promoting early planing. He also claimed that the steep buttock run aft helps keep the bow from burying as the boat accelerates.
The folding amas have more volume than those of the F-27. Their extra buoyancy keeps the akas higher above the design waterline, reducing spray on the akas and making the 28 both drier and faster than its predecessor.
Both the hull and deck are solid fiberglass. A capsize screening ratio of 5.68 and a comfort ratio of 2.91 place the boat firmly in the light, performance-oriented trimaran camp.
Rig and Performance
The most significant rig change from the F-27 is the rotating mast. It cleans up the mainsail’s leading edge, improving its efficiency and allowing the boat to sail faster upwind and lower downwind the rotating mast improves mainsail efficiency. The mainsail uses a fathead-style upper-batten configuration.
Two models exist: the standard cruiser and the racing-oriented 28R. The 28R has a carbon fiber mast with an additional 12 inches of hoist. The carbon spar is also much lighter for trailering and stepping.
Using the full mainsail, including its roach, and the boat’s empty displacement, the racing rig has a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 41.02. With cruising gear, a displacement of 3,000 pounds, and the roach excluded, the ratio settles at 34.15.
On the water, the F-28 rates PHRF 36 to 25 seconds per mile faster than a turbo F-27. Reviewers summed up the difference plainly: the new 28 is a lot faster than the older boat.
Rudder and Stability
The F-27 had a known fault: its rudder could lose grip at high speeds. The 28 addresses that problem with a rudder “fence” about one-third of the way down the blade. The blade itself is raked forward 4 degrees.
Together with the greater ama volume—which raises the akas and adds stability—this steering arrangement addresses the earlier generation’s shortfall without resorting to a heavier or more complex appendage.
Cockpit and Accommodations
The 28 places the cockpit aft and moves the accommodations forward relative to the F-27. Period coverage called the changes a great improvement in both areas over the 27. The forward-shifted interior also makes better use of the hull’s midsection volume than the earlier layout allowed.
The Verdict
The Corsair 28 is a thoughtful evolution of the F-27, retaining that boat’s strengths while addressing its weaknesses. The flat-rocker hull and higher-volume folding amas create a drier, faster, and more stable platform. Meanwhile, the rotating mast and optional carbon racing rig sharpen performance without complicating trailering.
For anyone who sails the boat hard, the rudder fix alone justifies the generation change.
Pros
- Longer, wider, lighter, and markedly faster than the F-27
- Higher-volume folding amas raise the akas, reducing spray and adding stability
- Rotating mast improves mainsail efficiency upwind and downwind
- Rudder fence and forward rake correct the F-27’s loss of grip at high speed
- Carbon 28R rig is lighter to trailer and step and provides extra hoist
Cons
- Light displacement and a low comfort ratio favor performance sailing over loaded cruising
- Fathead mainsail and rotating rig add tuning complexity compared with a standard sloop
