Considering an HR28

radar912 · 27-09-2008, 18:09

These boats seem very stable, watch should I watch out for, how would an HR28 handle light wind, they appear to handle the rough stuff very well.

John

Amgine · 28-09-2008, 08:58

Too much to say in a brief forum posting.

The LF Herreshoff 28 was usually a wood boat. You should have some idea of what the care and maintenance of wood is before purchasing a wood hull boat. Many of these were built in backyards and garages, with dramatically variable qualities as well as "custom" elements - some of which are better than the Herreshoff originals but honestly most of them were not.

The design is fabulous, should be a delight to sail. At the same time, it was designed to be a some-what more than daysailer. Do not expect the boat to have extensive stowage, and she will not retain her best sailing qualities if loaded down on her lines with too much gear. (On another hand, she was robustly built and it may be possible to reduce her displacement considerably with modern materials and techniques giving you chances for larger tankage and more extended cruising.)

By modern rig designs, the LFH sailplan is low-aspect, and a touch under-powered. The range of rigs I have seen on HR28s include sprit, gaff, and bermudan, but no doubt there have been more; the rig seems to have been a favourite for experimentation. I think the design would look best and sail well with a tallish race-style pole-masted gaff with topsail and genoa-jib. For ease of handling, the conservative bermudan she was designed with would be best, probably with a roller-reefing jib.

This is one of the last great designs for which consideration of a motor was not given. Almost every one ever built had a motor, but they were shoe-horned into the design rather than the hull specifically developed for their mass. Be aware that particularly massive motors may also shift the center of gravity.

I know a lot about the *design* of the boat, but have never actually sailed one, or seen any of the many I've found away from a dock. So this is strictly armchair advising from someone who is in love with the design and not very objective.

SkiprJohn · 29-09-2008, 17:59

Aloha Radar.
Amgine might be referring to the H-28 Herreshoff not Hinterhoeller which is what I believe you are referring to.
Is that right Amgine?
I nearly bought an old wood H-28 ketch back in the early 80s. What held me back was the notorious Atomic 4 and that they wanted $15K for it. It was pristine but 15K was a lot of money back then.
Regards,
JohnL

Amgine · 29-09-2008, 18:05

::Nods:: Yep, H28... sorry about that.

slomotion · 29-09-2008, 18:57

Hmmm ........

Never one to be shy about displaying my ignorance, I would have taken an HR28 to some sort of Hallberg Rassy???

radar912 · 29-09-2008, 19:22

It is indeed an Hinterhoeller, fiberglass hull.

SkiprJohn · 29-09-2008, 22:57

Aloha Radar,
I think your choice is a good one. They'll handle light airs pretty well from what I understand even though they are a bit heavy for a performance boat. Heavy makes them good in a seaway so in my point of view it isn't a downside. That's just opinions of other owners I've known. I can't speak first hand because I've never sailed one.
Kind regards,
JohnL

radar912 · 30-09-2008, 04:45

Thanks John, the prices for these boats are all over the map, 10k-45k, I am in touch with someone asking 25k, he advises everthing has been done to the boat including new sails. Deciding to buy already done or do it yourself will be the question I guess.

John

27-09-2008, 18:09	#1
radar912 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 17	Considering an HR28 These boats seem very stable, watch should I watch out for, how would an HR28 handle light wind, they appear to handle the rough stuff very well. John

28-09-2008, 08:58	#2
Amgine Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 812 Images: 1	Too much to say in a brief forum posting. The LF Herreshoff 28 was usually a wood boat. You should have some idea of what the care and maintenance of wood is before purchasing a wood hull boat. Many of these were built in backyards and garages, with dramatically variable qualities as well as "custom" elements - some of which are better than the Herreshoff originals but honestly most of them were not. The design is fabulous, should be a delight to sail. At the same time, it was designed to be a some-what more than daysailer. Do not expect the boat to have extensive stowage, and she will not retain her best sailing qualities if loaded down on her lines with too much gear. (On another hand, she was robustly built and it may be possible to reduce her displacement considerably with modern materials and techniques giving you chances for larger tankage and more extended cruising.) By modern rig designs, the LFH sailplan is low-aspect, and a touch under-powered. The range of rigs I have seen on HR28s include sprit, gaff, and bermudan, but no doubt there have been more; the rig seems to have been a favourite for experimentation. I think the design would look best and sail well with a tallish race-style pole-masted gaff with topsail and genoa-jib. For ease of handling, the conservative bermudan she was designed with would be best, probably with a roller-reefing jib. This is one of the last great designs for which consideration of a motor was not given. Almost every one ever built had a motor, but they were shoe-horned into the design rather than the hull specifically developed for their mass. Be aware that particularly massive motors may also shift the center of gravity. I know a lot about the design of the boat, but have never actually sailed one, or seen any of the many I've found away from a dock. So this is strictly armchair advising from someone who is in love with the design and not very objective. __________________ Amgine

29-09-2008, 18:05	#4
Amgine Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 812 Images: 1	::Nods:: Yep, H28... sorry about that. __________________ Amgine

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29-09-2008, 17:59	#3
SkiprJohn Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kea'au, Big Island, Hawaii Boat: Cascade, Cutter, 42 - "Casual" Posts: 3,757	Aloha Radar. Amgine might be referring to the H-28 Herreshoff not Hinterhoeller which is what I believe you are referring to. Is that right Amgine? I nearly bought an old wood H-28 ketch back in the early 80s. What held me back was the notorious Atomic 4 and that they wanted $15K for it. It was pristine but 15K was a lot of money back then. Regards, JohnL

29-09-2008, 18:57	#5
slomotion Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 542	Hmmm ........ Never one to be shy about displaying my ignorance, I would have taken an HR28 to some sort of Hallberg Rassy???

29-09-2008, 19:22	#6
radar912 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 17	It is indeed an Hinterhoeller, fiberglass hull.

29-09-2008, 22:57	#7
SkiprJohn Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kea'au, Big Island, Hawaii Boat: Cascade, Cutter, 42 - "Casual" Posts: 3,757	Aloha Radar, I think your choice is a good one. They'll handle light airs pretty well from what I understand even though they are a bit heavy for a performance boat. Heavy makes them good in a seaway so in my point of view it isn't a downside. That's just opinions of other owners I've known. I can't speak first hand because I've never sailed one. Kind regards, JohnL

30-09-2008, 04:45	#8
radar912 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 17	Thanks John, the prices for these boats are all over the map, 10k-45k, I am in touch with someone asking 25k, he advises everthing has been done to the boat including new sails. Deciding to buy already done or do it yourself will be the question I guess. John