Design and Construction
Thomas drew her as a solid fiberglass monohull with a transom-hung rudder and fin keel, no core in the hull. A length-to-beam ratio of 2.79 and displacement-length ratio of 180 place her among light racers anchor. The underbody 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, and the Motion Comfort Ratio of 15.4 marks a stiff coastal motion rather than a soft offshore roll.
Rig and Handling
She is a fractional sloop. Jib and genoa sheets run 27.9 feet at 3/8-inch, mainsheet 69.8 feet at 3/8-inch, spinnaker sheet 61.4 feet at 3/8-inch anchor. Immersion is 828 pounds per inch, so she sits at a predictable waterline under crew and gear. Theoretical hull speed is 6.5 knots, reachable without enormous sail area given the slender hull.
Accommodations
A 10-foot beam over a 27-foot-92-inch length gives a compact coastal footprint; the load-dependent draft keeps her in most marina confines. The living space itself is not characterized by the available authority material.
The Verdict
The Hydro 28 earns her light-racer label through a 180 DL-ratio and 2.79 l/b. She is manageable for one owner and draws little enough for most marinas, with a standardized 3/8-inch sheet inventory that simplifies rig upkeep.
Pros
- Slender 2.79 l/b and 180 DL-ratio near 6.5-knot hull speed
- Load-dependent 5.58–5.88 ft draft suits most marinas
- Standardized 3/8-inch sheet inventory eases rig upkeep
Cons
- Capsize screening 2.28 excludes ocean-race acceptance
- Motion Comfort 15.4 is a stiff coastal ride
