Design and Construction
The Dragonfly 28 is a trimaran whose defining structural idea is the Swing Wing system, which lets the outer hulls swing inward from the cockpit without tools in roughly two minutes anchor. Quorning Boats brought two decades of experience building retractable-hull trimarans to the design, and the result is a boat that trails behind a car, launches, and is sailing across the bay in about 40 minutes anchor. The hull is solid fiberglass with a solid deck, and the boat draws as little as 1.31 feet with the centerboard up or 5.58 feet extended, giving it a practical shoal-draft cruising profile. At 28.71 feet overall with a 28.21-foot waterline, the trimaran form yields a capsize ratio of 5.29 and a displacement-to-length ratio near 83, figures that sit comfortably for a stable coastal cruiser-racer rather than a bluewater voyager.
Rig and Handling
On the water the Dragonfly 28 is built around easy, balanced control. The tiller is always in full balance so that even a child can steer, and the boat sails upright with what the builder describes as huge stability anchor. That stability makes gybing straightforward and lets the boat tack upwind like a dinghy. All control lines lead back to a spacious, safe, and user-friendly cockpit, and a furling genoa with a lazy jack mainsail system means the boat can be left sail-ready in the harbor. For racing, crews are often single-handed, and the spinnaker can be flown alone; in light air, setting the bowsprit with a Code-0 or asymmetric spinnaker drives the boat as fast as the true wind. The Honda 15 HP outboard with electric start and tilt operates much like an inboard yet maneuvers better, and with the hulls retracted the boat remains manageable under power.
Accommodations
Below deck the Dragonfly 28 offers a versatile and functional interior with five berths and a separate head, laid out for cruising with family and friends. Standing headroom in the main cabin is 1.85 meters, and the dinette is spacious with an outside view akin to a deck-saloon yacht. A full galley runs with generous counter space on each side, and the two large trampolines forward provide plenty of deck space above. The cockpit, interior volume, and open deck together make the boat feel roomy for its length without pretending to be a large monohull.
Equipment and Shelter
The standard shelter package includes a sprayhood, cockpit tent, and bimini, which the builder offers for added protection at anchor or under way. The Honda outboard is a 15 HP unit with electric start and electric tilt, functioning with inboard-like control. The lazy jack system and furling genoa simplify shorthanded sail handling, and all lines led aft keep crew in the cockpit where the boat is safest to operate.
The Verdict
The Dragonfly 28 succeeds as a folding trimaran that bridges day sailing, family cruising, and single-handed racing without demanding a big crew or a wide berth. Its Swing Wing system, balanced helm, and stable platform make it unusually approachable, while the interior is genuinely usable for its size. The lightweight construction and modest engine reflect a boat meant to be sailed often rather than motored.
Pros
- Outer hulls fold without tools in about two minutes for normal slips and trailering
- Balanced tiller and stable hull let a child helm and make gybing easy
- Five berths, separate head, and deck-saloon-like dinette view below
- Single-handed racing and light-air spinnaker sailing as fast as true wind
Cons
- 17-gallon water capacity limits extended cruising range
- Outboard power and light displacement suit coastal use more than offshore work
