BoatsImpala 28 (Thomas)

Impala 28 (Thomas)

Fractional Sloop · Fin w/transom Hung Rudder · 1977–1984

A David Thomas-designed fractional sloop and enduring one-design racer that remains in its original 1977 form

Designed by David Thomas, built by Hunter Boats Ltd.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Hull type
Fin w/transom Hung Rudder

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 14 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 14
CoastalBluewater

2.28 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.28
LightHeavy

154 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 154
EasygoingPowered-up

20.3 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 20.3

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

  • Lighter than ~75% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2113 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
20.3
Displacement / length
154.3
Comfort ratio
13.9
Capsize screening
2.28
Hull speed
6.5 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
766
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/transom hung rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1977–1984
Units built
155
Designer
David Thomas
Builder
Hunter Boats Ltd

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Albin Marine AB Vega 278.25 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterScandinavia's most popular production yacht of her size, this 8.25-metre masthead sloop defined coastal cruising from 1965 to 1979
Jeanneau Aquila 278.70 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA Philippe H. Harle-designed masthead sloop offered in both standard and deep-keel Regatta configurations
Maxi Yachts Fenix 8.58.50 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1980s cruiser with a 1.5-metre bulb keel and spade rudder, designed for a balanced, stable coastal experience
RM Yachts 8908.90 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA high-performance fractional sloop with a deep bulb keel and dual rudders, optimised for speed and stability
Pearson Yachts 27 (Triton 27)8.23 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA Doug Peterson-influenced masthead sloop built from US Yachts molds, offering a light-displacement take on IOR design
Bristol Yachts 288.53 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthAn IOR Half Ton racer with reduced stern overhang, serving as the performance-oriented predecessor to the Bristol 29.9

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

Two ways to keep looking — both search what the fleet has actually recorded.

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