Design and Construction
Thomas drew the Hydro 28 as a solid-fiberglass monohull with no hull core. She has a lead fin keel and a transom-hung rudder. Draft varies with load from 5.58 to 5.88 feet.
Her length-to-beam ratio of 2.79 and displacement-length ratio of 180 place her among light racers. The underbody’s wetted surface is about 279 square feet, a modest footprint that keeps drag low.
A capsize screening value of 2.28 puts her outside ocean-race acceptance. Her Motion Comfort Ratio of 15.4 points to a stiff coastal motion rather than a soft offshore roll.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The Hydro 28 carries a fractional sloop rig. Jib and genoa sheets are 27.9 feet of 3/8-inch line, the mainsheet is 69.8 feet of 3/8-inch line, and the spinnaker sheet is 61.4 feet of 3/8-inch line.
Immersion is 828 pounds per inch, so she settles to a predictable waterline as crew and gear come aboard. Theoretical hull speed is 6.5 knots, reachable without enormous sail area given the slender hull.
Accommodations and Practical Use
A beam of just over 10 feet within a 27-foot-92-inch overall length gives the Hydro 28 a compact coastal footprint. Her load-dependent draft should keep her within most marina confines. The available authority material does not characterize the living space itself.
The Verdict
With a displacement-length ratio of 180 and a length-to-beam ratio of 2.79, the Hydro 28 earns her light-racer label. She is manageable for one owner and draws little enough for most marinas. Using 3/8-inch line for all the listed sheets also simplifies rig upkeep.
Pros
- Slender 2.79 length-to-beam ratio and 180 displacement-length ratio, with a theoretical hull speed of 6.5 knots
- Load-dependent draft of 5.58–5.88 feet suits most marinas
- Standardized 3/8-inch sheet inventory eases rig upkeep
Cons
- Capsize screening value of 2.28 excludes ocean-race acceptance
- Motion Comfort Ratio of 15.4 indicates a stiff coastal ride
