BoatsMerit 28

Merit 28

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · First built 1985

A rare Nelson Marek masthead sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio, of which only two were ever built

Designed by Nelson & Marek.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade 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 13 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 13
CoastalBluewater

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

Capsize screening 2.27
LightHeavy

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

Displacement / length 125
EasygoingPowered-up

25.8 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.

Sail area / displacement 25.8
TenderStiff

53% of her weight is ballast — very stiff, carrying full sail in a blow.

Ballast 53%

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

  • Lighter than ~79% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2102 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
Ballast / displacement
52.5%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
25.8
Displacement / length
125.2
Comfort ratio
13.1
Capsize screening
2.27
Hull speed
6.6 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
780
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
First built 1985
Units built
2
Designer
Nelson, Marek
Builder
Merit Marine Inc

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.

J Boats J/98.52 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 2021-launched daysailer with a 24.13 sail-area-to-displacement ratio, built for rapid, responsive performance
Artekno H-Boat8.31 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterAn IYRU-international one-design keelboat with a massive racing fleet across Europe and a legacy dating to 1967
Pogo 8.508.50 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA high-performance fractional sloop by Pierre Rolland featuring a wide beam and dual rudders for rapid offshore sailing
Verl 278.32 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterOriginally marketed as the Phillipa 27, this 1973 fin-keeler offers a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for her size
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

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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