Design and Construction
Bennett’s design has a 24-foot waterline and a 9-foot beam, giving a length-to-beam ratio of 3.04. Database comparisons place it as roomier than half of similar sailboats. Below, that beam helps provide usable living space without making claims to luxury.
The boat displaces 8,500 pounds and has a 35 percent ballast ratio, higher than 24 percent of comparable designs. Lead ballast is set in the solid fibreglass hull, and the deck is also solid fibreglass.
A capsize screening value of 1.78 sits just outside the commonly cited offshore threshold. Period reviewers noted that, on that formula alone, the boat could be accepted for entry in ocean races. Its 23 square metres of wetted surface and immersion rate of about 863 pounds per inch describe a moderately loaded hull that trims predictably as gear is added.
Keel Options and Shallow-Water Sailing
Northshore offered the Southerly 28 with two distinct keel arrangements. The triple-keel version uses a bilge configuration, with the ballast concentrated in a central keel. This suits tidal waters, where the boat can dry out upright.
The alternative combines a fixed stub keel with a retractable centreboard, allowing the same hull to cruise both coastal and inland waters. With the board raised, draft is roughly 2.5 feet, opening access to shallow marinas and rivers. Lowering the board increases draft to 4.75 feet. That ability to move between shallow and deeper water remains central to the model’s appeal.
Rig and Sailing Performance
The masthead sloop rig is straightforward, and its standing and running gear dimensions are well documented. Jib and genoa sheets run about 27.5 feet at 3/8-inch diameter. The mainsheet is 68.7 feet and the spinnaker sheet 60.4 feet, both at 10 mm.
A sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 9.69 identifies the Southerly 28 as a moderately powered cruiser rather than a lightweight racer. That fits its motorsailer brief and solid construction. Its 6.56-knot hull speed provides a realistic ceiling under canvas alone.
Accommodation
The Southerly 28 sleeps five and includes a galley and toilet facility. Its interior volume, helped by the beamy 3.04 ratio, provides livable space for a 28-footer without claiming luxury. The arrangement is better suited to weekends and short coastal cruises than to extended offshore liveaboard use.
Maintenance and Ownership
The only documented maintenance caveat concerns versions with moving keel parts. The owner’s manual says these must be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. Buyers should confirm the condition of the centreboard pivot and trunk. On triple-keel boats, they should also check the central ballast casting.
Otherwise, the record flags no structural concerns with the solid fibreglass hull and deck.
The Verdict
The Southerly 28 is a pragmatic small cruiser whose lifting-keel lineage began the wider Southerly story. Its choice of keel arrangements, roomy beam, and well-documented sail-plan dimensions make it a sensible entry into versatile shallow-water sailing.
Pros
- First of the Southerly lifting-keel line, with clear design provenance
- Choice of triple-keel or stub-and-centreboard arrangements for drying out or reaching inland waters
- Beamier than half its peers, with five berths, a galley, and a toilet facility
Cons
- Centreboard and other moving keel parts require scheduled maintenance
- Modest sail-area ratio limits its sparkle in light air under canvas alone
