Overview
The Twister is a Kim Holman design from 1963, first built in wood and then in fiberglass, with more than 200 built until production ended in the early 1980s. Twister of Mersea won most of her races on the English east coast in her first season, which brought orders for many more. Holman named the design Twister because he felt he had advantageously twisted the racing measurement rules used to set handicaps. Practical Boat Owner calls the 28 a delight to sail.
Design and Construction
It has a full-length keel with encapsulated lead ballast and a full-depth, transom-hung rudder steered by tiller. sailboatdata.com lists 28.25 ft overall on a 21.5 ft waterline, a narrow 8.08 ft beam and 5 ft of draft. Displacement is about 9,970 lb with 4,628 lb of ballast, nearly half the boat’s weight, and the masthead sloop carries about 348 sq ft. Practical Boat Owner reports the hulls were moulded by Tylers and finished by various builders, including Uphams and Universal Shipyard. Earlier boats have a high-maintenance wooden coachroof, while later ones are all GRP.
Under Sail
Owners describe a steady motion from her full shape and weight and a well-stayed rig, and find her manageable short-handed and singlehanded. Steering is predictable but slower than a fin-keel boat, and maneuvering astern takes care. The fiberglass hulls were molded by Tylers with encapsulated keels, and most boats were finished by Uphams of Brixham.
Buyers Notes
John Neal rates it 1 of 5: sturdy but narrow inside. Its capsize screen value of 1.50 is very low. Early boats may be wood or part wood, so confirm the construction. Wikipedia notes that most Twisters are now used for cruising and generally have bunks for four crew, though they offer cosy accommodation for two.
