Design and Construction
The Degerö 28 MS has a solid fibreglass hull and long keel, a configuration aimed more at traditional cruising than racing. It measures 27.7 feet overall and has a 9.8-foot beam. Its length-to-beam ratio of 2.82 makes it roomier than three-quarters of comparable designs.
The boat displaces 7,496 pounds, including 2,205 pounds of iron ballast. That gives it a ballast ratio of 29 percent, which review analysis places below average and flags as indicating a very low ability to resist heeling. Even so, its Motion Comfort Ratio of 22.2 is more comfortable than those of 58 percent of similar sailboats. A displacement-length ratio of 265 places it among moderate racers and makes it heavier than 42 percent of its peers.
YACHT attributed the boat’s relatively high basic price to its concept, solid construction, excellent finish, and extensive equipment.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The Degerö 28 MS has a masthead sloop rig with 407 square feet of sail area, giving it a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 17.00. Optional furling systems for the jib and mainsail simplify short-handed handling.
Draft varies from 1.10 to 1.20 meters, depending on load. That shallow draft allows the boat to enter marinas that deeper fin-keelers cannot. The optional 28-horsepower Volvo Penta D1-30 diesel gives a calculated maximum speed of about 6.9 knots, while the theoretical hull speed under displacement is 6.5 knots.
The capsize screening value is 2.01. Based on that figure, the design would not be accepted for ocean races, placing it firmly in the coastal and sheltered-water cruising category rather than among bluewater contenders.
Accommodation and Cruising Concept
The defining feature of the Degerö 28 MS is the comfort of a much larger yacht packed into a compact cruiser, with the practical advantages of a motor cutter added to the mix. Fresh-water capacity is 114 liters, matched by a fuel capacity of 114 liters, supporting extended weekends afloat.
The shipyard described the boat as a “Mercedes on the water,” a slogan that YACHT judged appropriate given its finish and equipment levels. The complete version adds a bow platform, teak deck, and teak bulwark, which the importer described as revealing the boat’s true pedigree. These features aren’t presented merely as decoration, but as part of the model’s identity as a traditional, well-appointed cruiser.
Equipment and Versions
Beyond its standard masthead rig, the Degerö 28 MS may be fitted with extensive electronic navigation equipment, as well as the optional furling jib and furling mainsail. The complete version with bow platform, teak deck, and teak bulwark is where the boat’s character is fully expressed.
Although the base cost was relatively high, the builder claimed a good price-performance ratio. That judgment rested on the boat’s solid construction and extensive fittings rather than on a low entry price.
Verdict
The Degerö 28 MS is a thoughtfully conceived long-keel cruiser that trades racing stiffness for comfort and shallow-draft access. Its traditional hull and generous beam make it a plausible choice for sailors who place finish and cabin volume ahead of outright performance. Its motor-cutter practicality also extends its usefulness in light airs and tight marinas.
Pros
- Roomy proportions for a 28-footer, with more space than 76% of similar designs
- Shallow long-keel draft allows access to marinas that exclude deeper boats
- High comfort ratio and excellent finish for its class
- Practical motor-cutter advantages without giving up full sailing capability
Cons
- Well-below-average ballast ratio, with limited resistance to heeling
- Capsize screening value excludes the design from ocean racing
- Relatively high base price for a compact cruiser
