Design and Construction
Bennett’s design paired a 24-foot waterline with a 9-foot beam for a length-to-beam ratio of 3.04, a proportion the database comparisons place as roomier than half of all similar sailboats. The 8,500-pound displacement carries a 35 percent ballast ratio—higher than 24 percent of comparable designs—with lead ballast set in a solid fibreglass hull and deck. A capsize screening value of 1.78 sits just outside the commonly cited offshore threshold, and period reviewers noted that on that single formula the boat could be accepted to enter ocean races. The 23 square metres of wetted surface and an immersion rate of about 863 pounds per inch describe a moderately loaded hull that trims predictably as gear is added.
Keel Options and Versatility
Northshore offered the 28 with two distinct keel architectures. The triple-keel version is a bilge configuration with the ballast concentrated in a central keel, useful in tidal waters where the boat can be dried out upright. The alternative stub-and-centreboard keel fixes a stub keel with a retractable centreboard, letting the same hull roam both coastal and inland passages. With the board up, draft settles to roughly 2.5 feet, opening shallow marinas and rivers; with it down she draws 4.75 feet. That dual nature is the heart of the model’s enduring appeal.
Rig and Sail Handling
The masthead sloop rig is straightforward, and the 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, all at 10 mm. The sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 9.69 marks a moderately powered cruiser rather than a lightweight racer, consistent with the boat’s motorsailer brief and solid construction. The 6.56-knot hull speed gives a realistic ceiling under canvas alone.
Accommodations
Below, the Southerly 28 sleeps five across a layout that includes a galley and a toilet facility. The interior volume, aided by the beamy 3.04 ratio, gives livable space for a 28-footer without claiming luxury. The arrangement supports weekending and short coastal cruises rather than extended offshore liveaboard use.
Known Issues and Ownership
The only documented maintenance caveat concerns the moving-keel versions: the owner’s manual advises that keels with moving parts must be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. A buyer should confirm centreboard pivot and trunk condition, and on triple-keels check the central ballast casting. Otherwise the solid fibreglass hull and deck present no flagged structural concerns in the record.
The Verdict
The Southerly 28 is a pragmatic small cruiser whose lifting-keel lineage began the whole Southerly story. Its interchangeable keel options, roomy beam, and documented sail-plan dimensions make it a sensible step into versatile shallow-water sailing.
Pros
- First of the Southerly lifting-keel line, with clear design provenance
- Triple-keel or stub/centreboard choices for beaching or inland reach
- Beamier than half its peers; sleeps five with galley and head
Cons
- Centreboard and triple-keel moving parts demand scheduled upkeep
- Modest sail-area ratio limits sparkle in light air under canvas alone
