Twister 28 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Production ran for roughly two decades, from 1963 into the 1980s. Construction evolved from wood through composite to full GRP, but the essential character remained unchanged: a heavy, directional offshore hull.

Design and Construction

Holman’s brief was to create a small voyager with the manners of a larger boat. The Twister combines a narrow hull, deep forefoot, generous displacement, long keel, transom-hung rudder, and encapsulated ballast.

Early boats were built in wood. Composite versions followed, combining a GRP hull with timber decks and coachroof, before production moved to full-GRP boats. The early composite boats had marine-plywood decks sheathed in GRP, a construction detail that matters as these boats age.

The GRP hull has a long, encapsulated keel and a simple, easily maintained transom-hung rudder. At 28 feet overall, with an 8-foot beam, displacement of roughly 9,500 pounds, and about 4,000 pounds of ballast, the Twister has a high ballast ratio that contributes to stiffness and security when pressed.

Rig and Handling

The original sail plan showed a masthead sloop, but the class is notable for how much individual boats departed from the drawing. Modifications were sometimes made by Uphams before the designer had even been told, and some yachts carried altered rigs earlier than the relevant drawing date. The class association documents these rig variations.

The MkII plan was first drawn for Jack Holman’s own Silver Twister. It raised the mast by one foot and moved it six inches aft—a change he later judged over-canvased and trimmed himself in 1967. A further MkIIa revision in 1971 cut one foot from the mast and shortened the mainsail foot. The class association’s warning that all Twisters are different, and some more different than others, is literal.

Under way, the Twister is steady rather than quick. Its SA/D near 14 and displacement-length ratio above 300 put it among ultra-heavy cruisers. It won’t point as high as a fin-keeler, but it tracks well and holds a groove upwind. In a breeze, it stiffens and settles into a gentle rhythm. Downwind, the long keel keeps it straight and limits rolling.

The helm is light and predictable, and a single sailor can manage the boat, though the long keel calls for planning in confined manoeuvres. A capsize screening figure under 2.0 and a record of crossed oceans speak to its offshore intent.

Cockpit and Accommodation

Below, the interior is traditional and cosy, with limited headroom by modern standards. The long coachroof provides good handholds on deck. The cockpit is compact but deep, while the side decks are narrow but workable.

The galley is simple but functional, and the saloon berths are comfortable for a 28-footer. Stowage is adequate for coastal use and manageable offshore with planning. Ventilation varies with the finishing yard and the number of opening ports. Overall, the limited interior volume is better suited to a solo sailor or minimalist couple than to a crowd.

Known Issues

The design’s main recorded maintenance concerns are deck cores, chainplate knees, rudder fittings, and ageing systems. On composite-era boats, the plywood decks sheathed in GRP are the structural weak point because trapped moisture can attack the core.

The chainplate knees below deck are a known fatigue item, and the fittings for the transom-hung rudder need attention as they age. Early boats were finished by different yards and vary significantly in detail, so no two should be assumed identical.

Verdict

The Twister 28 is a small boat that behaves like a settled offshore cruiser. It asks for early reefing, a balanced sail plan, and patience in light airs, but rewards the sailor with directional stability and forgiving motion when conditions harden. Its long production run and varied finishing mean that careful inspection of the individual boat matters more than class generalities.

Pros