Design and Construction
The hull and deck are both solid fiberglass. Within her 4,200-pound displacement, the Formula 28 carries 1,823 pounds of lead ballast, giving her a ballast ratio of 44 percent.
Her 8.2-foot beam produces a length-to-beam ratio of 2.96, while a displacement-length ratio of 168 puts her among light racers. Wetted surface is about 247 square feet, and an immersion rate of 715 pounds per inch shows how little she settles under load.
A capsize screening value of 2.28 means she wouldn’t be accepted for ocean racing. Her motion comfort ratio of 14.1 also reflects a boat tuned more for speed than for a soft ride on long passages.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The fractional rig is the Formula 28’s defining feature. She carries more sail plan than 90 percent of similar sailboats and is described in the review as significantly overrigged. Her sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 21.5 with the ISO reference sail, rising to 24.6 with a 135 percent genoa, so she’s quick to fill and quick to lean.
The running rigging is generously specified. The mainsail, genoa, and spinnaker halyards are each 86.8 feet long and 5/16 inch in diameter. The sheets and 68-foot mainsheet are 3/8 inch—useful dimensions when it’s time to re-rig or replace worn line.
Draft varies from 5.58 to 5.88 feet depending on load, shallow enough to tuck into most marinas. The theoretical hull speed is 6.3 knots, the natural ceiling for a displacement hull of this length.
Accommodations
Below, the Formula 28 has six berths. That count speaks to her cruiser side without suggesting luxury-level space. The cabin plan can serve a small crew or a family for a weekend, while the beam of just over eight feet keeps the interior intimate rather than expansive.
Equipment and Power
The Formula 28 may be equipped with an inboard Yanmar 1GM10 diesel. This modest single-cylinder engine is suited to leaving the dock and making short hops rather than sustained motoring. The builder didn’t specify tankage.
Verdict
The Formula 28 is a scarce, purpose-bent light racer with cruiser amenities added. Her overrigged fractional sloop rig and low displacement make her a lively daysailer and club racer, while six berths and a fin-keel draft that suits most marinas broaden her appeal.
She isn’t a bluewater boat by her own capsize screen, and her comfort numbers support the same conclusion.
Pros
- Significantly overrigged fractional rig for pace in light air
- Light-displacement hull (DL 168) that accelerates easily
- Draft near 5.6 feet keeps most marinas reachable
- Six berths in a 28-foot package
Cons
- Capsize screening value of 2.28 bars her from ocean racing
- Low motion comfort ratio of 14.1 limits passage-making softness
- Fewer than 100 built, so spares and comparable boats are scarce
