Design and Construction
The Linda's hull is solid fiberglass, and her ballast is a lead casting fastened to the keel stub, a straightforward and repairable arrangement that anchors 3,900 pounds of the 8,300-pound displacement. Above the waterline, Morris shed topside weight with balsa-cored decks, a choice that lowers the center of gravity without resorting to exotic composites. Inside, the structure is quietly traditional: solid teak bulkheads, dark mahogany trim, and beautifully varnished pine slating set a tone more akin to a custom woodworker's commission than a production boat. Teak non-skid surfaces are common in many specimens, and deck highlights may include the toerail, cockpit chairs, and companionway — details that age into character rather than obsolescence.
Rig and Handling
The mast is stepped at the keel, lending the rig a direct load path into the hull and a certain steadiness off the wind. With 410 square feet of sail area driving 8,300 pounds of boat, the Linda is seaworthy and swift, and Paine conceived her primarily for day sailing and coastal cruising while allowing she is capable of lengthy cruising into blue waters. The 4 foot 4 inch draft keeps her friendly to shoal waters, opening anchorages in the Bahamas and the Florida Keys that deeper fin-keelers cannot reach anchor. Auxiliary power came from a 13HP Westerbeke or 18HP Volvo diesel, sized for maneuvering and battery charging rather than sustained motoring.
Accommodations
Below, the Linda reads as a small yacht rather than a cramped weekender. The varnished pine slating and dark mahogany trim frame an interior where the solid teak bulkheads provide both structure and warmth. Tankage supports extended stays: 18 gallons of fuel, 60 of water, and 34 of holding as standard, a water capacity generous for the length and a signal that the design brief included real cruising, not just harbor hopping.
Known Issues
Loading the Linda for cruising demands forethought. Because the leading edge of the keel — and thus the ballast — sits well aft, a loaded cruising payload makes her prone to trimming down by the stern, a phenomenon Chuck Paine has seen on occasion anchor. Buyers should note that some Linda 28s were completed by their owners rather than the factory; the quality of these custom boats will vary, with some better than their factory counterparts and others not anchor.
The Verdict
The Morris 28 Linda is a rare, purpose-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 on 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 shoal anchorages
- Generous 60-gallon water capacity for the size
Cons
- Stern-heavy tendency when loaded for cruising due to aft keel leading edge
- Only 16 built; some owner-completed hulls vary in quality
