Design and Construction
The Degerö 28 MS is built with a solid fibreglass hull and a long keel, a configuration that speaks to traditional cruising rather than racing pedigree. At 27.7 feet overall with a 9.8-foot beam, the yacht carries a length-to-beam ratio of 2.82, a proportion that makes it roomier than three-quarters of comparable designs. The 2,205-pound iron ballast represents 29 percent of the 7,496-pound displacement, a ballast ratio that review analysis places below average and flags as indicating a very low ability to resist heeling. Despite that, the Motion Comfort Ratio of 22.2 sits more comfortably than 58 percent of similar sailboats, and the displacement-length ratio of 265 puts the boat among moderate racers, heavier than 42 percent of its peers. YACHT attributed the relatively high basic price to the concept, solid construction, excellent finish, and extensive equipment the boat was built with. The Finnish builder's solid construction and excellent finish were cited by YACHT as reasons for the model's relatively high basic price, alongside its concept and extensive equipment.
Rig and Handling
The Degerö 28 MS is a masthead sloop carrying 407 square feet of sail area, yielding a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 17.00. Optional furling jib and furling mainsail simplify short-handed handling, and the complete version adds a bow platform, teak deck, and teak bulwark that the importer described as revealing the boat's true pedigree. With a draft of just 1.10 to 1.20 meters dependent on load, the yacht can enter shallow marinas that deeper fin-keelers cannot. Under engine, the calculated maximum speed is about 6.9 knots from the optional Volvo Penta D1-30 diesel rated at 28 horsepower, while the theoretical hull speed as a displacement boat is 6.5 knots. The capsize screening value of 2.01 means the design would not be accepted for ocean races based on that figure, a result that positions it firmly as a coastal and sheltered-water cruiser rather than a bluewater contender.
Accommodations and Concept
What distinguishes the Degerö 28 MS is the comfort of a much larger yacht packed into a compact cruiser, with the advantages of a motor cutter layered on top. Fresh water capacity is 114 liters and fuel capacity matches at 114 liters, supporting extended weekends afloat. The shipyard's own "Mercedes on the water" slogan was judged by YACHT to sound appropriate given the finish and equipment levels. The complete version's teak decks and bulwarks are not mere ornament but part of the boat's identity as a traditional, well-appointed cruiser.
Equipment and Versions
Beyond the standard masthead rig, the Degerö 28 MS may be equipped with extensive electronic navigation equipment and the furling packages already noted. The complete version with bow platform, teak deck, and teak bulwark is where the boat's character is fully expressed. The builder claimed a good price-performance ratio despite the high base cost, a judgment rooted in the solid construction and extensive fittings rather than low entry price.
The 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 value finish and cabin volume over outright performance, and its motor-cutter practicality extends its utility in light airs and tight marinas.
Pros
- Roomy beam proportion for a 28-footer, more spacious than 76% of similar designs
- Shallow long-keel draft permits marina access denied to deeper boats
- High comfort ratio and excellent finish for the class
- Practical motor-cutter advantages with full sailing capability
Cons
- Ballast ratio well below average, with limited resistance to heeling
- Capsize screening value excludes it from ocean racing
- Relatively high base price for a compact cruiser
