Paine drew her as a long-keeled monohull. Her proportions favor composure and range over outright speed, while her shoal draft suits cruising grounds where deeper fin-keel boats may be restricted.
Design and Construction
The Linda measures 23 feet 2 inches on the waterline, with 9 feet 2 inches of beam and 4 feet 4 inches of draft. She displaces 8,300 pounds, including 3,900 pounds of ballast.
The hull is solid fiberglass. A lead ballast casting is fastened to the keel stub, a straightforward, repairable arrangement. Above the waterline, Morris reduced topside weight with balsa-cored decks, lowering the center of gravity without using exotic composites.
Inside, the construction is quietly traditional. Solid teak bulkheads provide structure, while dark mahogany trim and beautifully varnished pine slating give the cabin the character of a custom woodworker’s commission rather than a production boat. Many examples have teak non-skid surfaces. Other deck details may include the toerail, cockpit chairs, and companionway—features that tend to acquire character with age rather than become obsolete.
Rig, Handling, and Auxiliary Power
The keel-stepped mast gives rig loads a direct path into the hull and contributes a certain steadiness off the wind. The sail area is 410 square feet, driving an 8,300-pound boat. The Linda is seaworthy and swift. Paine conceived her primarily for daysailing and coastal cruising while allowing that she’s capable of lengthy cruising into blue waters.
Her 4-foot-4-inch draft keeps her friendly to shoal waters, opening anchorages in the Bahamas and Florida Keys that deeper fin-keelers cannot reach.
Auxiliary power came from either a 13HP Westerbeke or an 18HP Volvo diesel. Both were sized for maneuvering and battery charging rather than sustained motoring.
Accommodations and Tankage
Below, the Linda feels like a small yacht rather than a cramped weekender. Varnished pine slating and dark mahogany trim frame the interior, while the solid teak bulkheads add both structure and warmth.
Standard tankage comprises 18 gallons of fuel, 60 gallons of water, and 34 gallons of holding capacity. The water capacity is generous for a boat of this length and indicates that the design brief included genuine cruising rather than just harbor hopping.
Known Issues
Loading the Linda for cruising takes some forethought. Because the leading edge of the keel—and therefore the ballast—sits well aft, a cruising payload can cause the boat to trim down by the stern, a tendency Chuck Paine has seen on occasion.
Buyers should also note that owners, rather than the factory, completed some Linda 28s. The quality of these custom boats varies: some are better than their factory-built counterparts, while others are not.
The Verdict
The Morris 28 Linda is a rare, carefully considered Paine design that punches above her 28 feet in finish and offshore credibility. She rewards an owner who values craftsmanship and shoal-water access over volume—and who will respect her aft-ballast geometry when packing for a passage.
Pros
- Solid-fiberglass hull with lead ballast fastened to a keel stub
- Balsa-cored decks reduce topside weight
- Keel-stepped mast and 410 sq.ft. sail plan suit coastal and bluewater cruising
- 4'4" draft opens up shoal anchorages
- Generous 60-gallon water capacity for her size
Cons
- Tendency to trim down by the stern when loaded for cruising because of the aft keel leading edge
- Only 16 were built
- Some owner-completed hulls vary in quality
