Design and Construction
The hull measures 28.41 feet overall, with a 23.58-foot waterline and a beamy 9.48-foot beam. Both the fibreglass hull and deck have a Termanto PVC foam core. Early boats were hand-laid, while later examples moved to a closed-mold process. That change distinguishes the two parts of the production run without altering the essential laminate scheme.
The fin keel carries 1,500 pounds of ballast, and the boat draws 4.98 feet. Steering is through an internally mounted spade rudder.
At 3,950 pounds, the Laser 28 is strikingly light for its length. That low displacement explains much of its lively performance, reflected in an average PHRF rating of 123 and a quoted hull speed of 6.51 knots.
Rig and Sail Plan
The Laser 28 has a fractional sloop rig. Its foretriangle measures 31.10 feet high with a 9.65-foot base, while the mainsail has a 33.14-foot luff and a 12.96-foot foot.
Total sail area is 364.80 square feet, divided between a 214.75-square-foot mainsail and a 150.06-square-foot jib-genoa. Production sail inventories listed a 242-square-foot mainsail, a 162-square-foot 106 percent “lapper” jib, a 123-square-foot working jib, an optional 230-square-foot genoa, and two spinnakers measuring 610 and 670 square feet. The boat carries a spinnaker as standard equipment.
Combined with the boat’s light displacement, the fractional rig gives the Laser 28 the lively character suggested by its racing handicap.
Auxiliary Power
The prototypes used Honda four-stroke gasoline engines coupled to Volvo saildrives. Production boats instead received an 8.2-horsepower Bukh 8SME diesel.
This small auxiliary suits the Laser 28’s racing focus: it is intended primarily for harbor maneuvering and battery charging rather than sustained motoring.
Ownership and Class Culture
Unusually for the period, Performance Sailcraft didn’t sell the Laser 28 through its existing dealer network. Instead, direct representatives owned and sailed the boats themselves and organized class events.
That arrangement fostered a tightly knit, one-design-style community around an otherwise production-built keelboat. It also helps explain the Laser 28’s coherent identity despite its short six-year production run.
The Verdict
The Laser 28 is a purpose-built, light-displacement Farr design for sailors who want race-level responsiveness in a 28-foot package. Its foam-cored fibreglass construction and distinctive, owner-led class organization add to its appeal.
Minimal cruising accommodation and a tiny diesel are trade-offs rather than oversights. This is a boat engineered to be quick and easy to trail or dock, with minimalist cruising accommodation.
Pros
- Very light 3,950 lb displacement, with 1,500 lb of ballast and a fin keel for crisp handling
- Foam-cored fibreglass hull and deck, built using both hand-laid and closed-mold methods
- Full spinnaker inventory and a fractional rig with a strong sail-area-to-weight balance
- Cohesive owner-representative sales model that built an active class culture
Cons
- The 8.2 hp Bukh diesel provides minimal auxiliary power
- The short 1984–1990 production run limits used-boat supply
- Lack of conventional dealer distribution can complicate a traditional brokerage search
