Hi all, looking to buy a used sailboat 25-28 foot range, cost approx. 10K - 16K, mostly will use it for daysailing, maybe some club racing so don't want a super slow boat, some weekending. Will sail mostly singlehand, or with inexperienced crew. Skinny water here so trying draft
25-28 footer wanted
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got cut off from prior post
got cut off, Want to have draft < 4'6". Like Ericson 25+, catalina 27, sabre 28, love the look of cape dory 25D and 27 but they are too slow for me. Advice/comments? Thanks Doug
got cut off, Want to have draft < 4'6". Like Ericson 25+, catalina 27, sabre 28, love the look of cape dory 25D and 27 but they are too slow for me. Advice/comments? Thanks Doug
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Please do not post boat for sale in the forums. If you have a specific boat to recommend to the author please contact him directly. Thanks!
Please do not post boat for sale in the forums. If you have a specific boat to recommend to the author please contact him directly. Thanks!
opinions/advice
Sorry to be unclear, this is a search for knowledge/opinions on a boat that would fit my needs best. Also I'm trying to stay away from any swing keel/centerboard type, looking for fixed keel. Thanks for any input.
Sorry to be unclear, this is a search for knowledge/opinions on a boat that would fit my needs best. Also I'm trying to stay away from any swing keel/centerboard type, looking for fixed keel. Thanks for any input.
To me, the major choice
to be made about boats in the 25-28 ft category is whether you want or need inboard or outboard power. The next question would be draft and underwater profile preferred. I think you'll need to provide a clearer picture of your needs, wants, and desires as there are literally hundreds of boats to choose from in this size range. A boat optimized for single handed daysailing, for example, will not be optimized for club racing.... If you are in thin waters, a deep fin keel would not be a good choice for cruising, but would be if you wanted to optimize for racing. Any boat is a tradeoff between all these factors. Give us some sense of your priorities and we'll give you some thoughts on boat choices...
to be made about boats in the 25-28 ft category is whether you want or need inboard or outboard power. The next question would be draft and underwater profile preferred. I think you'll need to provide a clearer picture of your needs, wants, and desires as there are literally hundreds of boats to choose from in this size range. A boat optimized for single handed daysailing, for example, will not be optimized for club racing.... If you are in thin waters, a deep fin keel would not be a good choice for cruising, but would be if you wanted to optimize for racing. Any boat is a tradeoff between all these factors. Give us some sense of your priorities and we'll give you some thoughts on boat choices...
Check out the specs on my Lancer 27
I found it to be most comfortable, easy to sail and handle single handed. I think it could easily meet your requirements and come in around or under your price range. Click on my signature to see and read the data. I wouldn't discount it because it is not a household name brand like Catalina, Oday, Hunter and others. Good luck.
I found it to be most comfortable, easy to sail and handle single handed. I think it could easily meet your requirements and come in around or under your price range. Click on my signature to see and read the data. I wouldn't discount it because it is not a household name brand like Catalina, Oday, Hunter and others. Good luck.
catalina for sale
i have for sale a 1984 ,25ft. catalina. it is listed in the classified section. price $3500 negotiable. i can e-mail a photo if you are interested.
i have for sale a 1984 ,25ft. catalina. it is listed in the classified section. price $3500 negotiable. i can e-mail a photo if you are interested.
weekending
Hello, How many weekends will you spend aboard? How many people will be on the boat overnight? How tolerant are you to 'roughing it'? Think about standing headroom and being below. It gets real old real quick to not be able to stand up. What about a head? A real marine head is nicer to use than a porta potty stuck in the v berth. Do you want hot water, an A/C electrical system? What sort of galley? My first boat was a swing keel Catalina 22. After 1 year I was ready to move up to a boat we could weekend on. After looking at a lot of boats I bought a Newport 28. Mine had the fin keel with 5'+ draft, but they do make a shoal draft boat. I like the Newport over many other boats because it came with wheel steering, self tailing winches, lines led aft, a big cockpit, anchor locker, and roller furling. Below, it had standing headroom (for me at 5' 7"), a real marine head, hot water, A/C and D/C electrical systems, and a very nice layout where the table folds up against the bulkhead when not in use. Most came with the Universal M 18, which is a very good engine. I sold mine last year for $14,000 with brand new sails, and in very good condition. Good luck, Barry
Hello, How many weekends will you spend aboard? How many people will be on the boat overnight? How tolerant are you to 'roughing it'? Think about standing headroom and being below. It gets real old real quick to not be able to stand up. What about a head? A real marine head is nicer to use than a porta potty stuck in the v berth. Do you want hot water, an A/C electrical system? What sort of galley? My first boat was a swing keel Catalina 22. After 1 year I was ready to move up to a boat we could weekend on. After looking at a lot of boats I bought a Newport 28. Mine had the fin keel with 5'+ draft, but they do make a shoal draft boat. I like the Newport over many other boats because it came with wheel steering, self tailing winches, lines led aft, a big cockpit, anchor locker, and roller furling. Below, it had standing headroom (for me at 5' 7"), a real marine head, hot water, A/C and D/C electrical systems, and a very nice layout where the table folds up against the bulkhead when not in use. Most came with the Universal M 18, which is a very good engine. I sold mine last year for $14,000 with brand new sails, and in very good condition. Good luck, Barry
thanks
Thanks for the info. so far. I had written a very detailed want list and it didnt all get posted so I'll do it again
I would like a diesel inboard, I'm 5'11 and want to not bend too much, can stand in a cat27, never been in a sabre 28, I'll mostly be day sailing with minimal crew so needs to be set up for singlehanding, I'll modify lines to cockpit if it's not set up that way. Draft really trying to stay less than 4'6" or so. I club race now (I crew) and like to think I'll do this with my own boat, it's PHRF but I don't wanna get lapped or end last all the time so I'm staying away from the full keel cape dory's that I love, love their traditional styling and comfort/motion when cutting thru water. Would like a marine head. Fin keel preferred, haven't heard good things about grounding a wing keel in sand and hear they don't point as well. Again price needs to be 10K - maybe 18K if it's the right boat. I may weekend once every month or two, ideas of cruising more are romantic but don't know how much I'll really do that. Overall avg. performance/speed is wanted, standing headroom 5'11, able to be singlehanded, club racer, want a nice looking boat. I really liked an ericson 25+ but it was a bit cramped for my height with the bimini was on, it had a tiller and the cockpit was tight so leaning more toward 27 foot, was in a catalina 27 and I really liked down below layout, was an '85. Loved an ericson 29 '79 but it was a bit intimidating for me to single hand I was thinking and a bit more boat than I wanted. Looked at tartan 27 but all of them were older and in poor condition and didn't like the swing center board but liked their shallow draft, they certainly were solid boats, liked their "look". The more I type this I think a catalina 27 fits most of my criteria and my price point but I started looking a few years ago and thought I was not going to get a catalina because of postings I'd seen that said they were flimsy boats...now I'm changing my mind , I'm not going to be crossing any oceans. Thanks Doug
Thanks for the info. so far. I had written a very detailed want list and it didnt all get posted so I'll do it again
I would like a diesel inboard, I'm 5'11 and want to not bend too much, can stand in a cat27, never been in a sabre 28, I'll mostly be day sailing with minimal crew so needs to be set up for singlehanding, I'll modify lines to cockpit if it's not set up that way. Draft really trying to stay less than 4'6" or so. I club race now (I crew) and like to think I'll do this with my own boat, it's PHRF but I don't wanna get lapped or end last all the time so I'm staying away from the full keel cape dory's that I love, love their traditional styling and comfort/motion when cutting thru water. Would like a marine head. Fin keel preferred, haven't heard good things about grounding a wing keel in sand and hear they don't point as well. Again price needs to be 10K - maybe 18K if it's the right boat. I may weekend once every month or two, ideas of cruising more are romantic but don't know how much I'll really do that. Overall avg. performance/speed is wanted, standing headroom 5'11, able to be singlehanded, club racer, want a nice looking boat. I really liked an ericson 25+ but it was a bit cramped for my height with the bimini was on, it had a tiller and the cockpit was tight so leaning more toward 27 foot, was in a catalina 27 and I really liked down below layout, was an '85. Loved an ericson 29 '79 but it was a bit intimidating for me to single hand I was thinking and a bit more boat than I wanted. Looked at tartan 27 but all of them were older and in poor condition and didn't like the swing center board but liked their shallow draft, they certainly were solid boats, liked their "look". The more I type this I think a catalina 27 fits most of my criteria and my price point but I started looking a few years ago and thought I was not going to get a catalina because of postings I'd seen that said they were flimsy boats...now I'm changing my mind , I'm not going to be crossing any oceans. Thanks Doug
Hi Doug, when the admiral and I first decided...
to try sailing we found a very nice 1989 H28 for sale and bought her. Cruised her for three years then decided to upgrade. The below link describes the boat in some detail. It comes pretty close to what you say you want. We were very happy with the boat and it has most all the amenities that a small cruising family needs. Terry
to try sailing we found a very nice 1989 H28 for sale and bought her. Cruised her for three years then decided to upgrade. The below link describes the boat in some detail. It comes pretty close to what you say you want. We were very happy with the boat and it has most all the amenities that a small cruising family needs. Terry
Advice
I recently moved up from a 25 footer. While there are a few exceptions, the difference in upkeep on a 30 footer versus a 28 footer will be minimal, but the gain in cabin and cockpit space is very significant. Also, keep in mind that a boat the size you are discussing can be a tax deduction (loan interest) if it has a fixed head and galley. I looked at an O'day 28, which has the reputation of being a big 28 footer and it was pretty cramped. We then looked very hard at Newport 30's. Newport was built on the west coast, so they can be pretty hard to find on the east coast. I agree with the other poster that you shouldn't discount them based on build quality. As I recall, the Newport was the only boat I looked at where the whole hull to deck joint was glassed over. However, there was a later redesign of the 30's in which the keel was totally changed and I'd recommend a thorough survey if you go that route. I don't recall if it impacted the 28. Have you looked at the Ericson 28+? I was really tempted to buy an Ericson, but the 30+ has kind of an odd interior design and a very deep draft. The Pearson 28 is set up similar to the Hunter 28.5 and has a wing. I also really like the set up of the later Pearson 310, but they are over 30K. The later 28 may be out of your price range too. In any case, if you go Pearson watch out for wet decks as my surveyor said they are common. My best advice is to make as complete a list as possible of must haves and like to haves and then spend a few weekends looking at boats to confirm them. We gave up on the Newport 30's, mainly due to a lack of them in our area, then made our list. We bought an S2 9.2A (30 ft), which has a reputation of having better than average production quality. It has comfortable head room for a 6 footer, two double berths and two singles, a yanmar diesel "(2 cyl) and a tee shaped cockpit. The one thing that was on my like to have list that I folded on was good ventilation. The 9.2A has only the forward hatch and one opening port in the head. She will sit nose to wind on a mooring so I think I can live with it after I add a couple of solar vents, but this should be a serious consideration for you in your area. Good Luck, BobM
I recently moved up from a 25 footer. While there are a few exceptions, the difference in upkeep on a 30 footer versus a 28 footer will be minimal, but the gain in cabin and cockpit space is very significant. Also, keep in mind that a boat the size you are discussing can be a tax deduction (loan interest) if it has a fixed head and galley. I looked at an O'day 28, which has the reputation of being a big 28 footer and it was pretty cramped. We then looked very hard at Newport 30's. Newport was built on the west coast, so they can be pretty hard to find on the east coast. I agree with the other poster that you shouldn't discount them based on build quality. As I recall, the Newport was the only boat I looked at where the whole hull to deck joint was glassed over. However, there was a later redesign of the 30's in which the keel was totally changed and I'd recommend a thorough survey if you go that route. I don't recall if it impacted the 28. Have you looked at the Ericson 28+? I was really tempted to buy an Ericson, but the 30+ has kind of an odd interior design and a very deep draft. The Pearson 28 is set up similar to the Hunter 28.5 and has a wing. I also really like the set up of the later Pearson 310, but they are over 30K. The later 28 may be out of your price range too. In any case, if you go Pearson watch out for wet decks as my surveyor said they are common. My best advice is to make as complete a list as possible of must haves and like to haves and then spend a few weekends looking at boats to confirm them. We gave up on the Newport 30's, mainly due to a lack of them in our area, then made our list. We bought an S2 9.2A (30 ft), which has a reputation of having better than average production quality. It has comfortable head room for a 6 footer, two double berths and two singles, a yanmar diesel "(2 cyl) and a tee shaped cockpit. The one thing that was on my like to have list that I folded on was good ventilation. The 9.2A has only the forward hatch and one opening port in the head. She will sit nose to wind on a mooring so I think I can live with it after I add a couple of solar vents, but this should be a serious consideration for you in your area. Good Luck, BobM
I would certainly recommend
the boat I have, the 1986 Hunter 28.5 with shoal keel. It would seem to meet most of your criteria: inboard Yanmar, standing headroom, easy to single hand, and in your price range. The 4-ft shoal keel boat won't do as well as the 5'2" deep keel version in racing, but with a PHRF of around 183 it will do ok. It will also allow you to gunkhole in some thin waters. But if you intend to race, you'll need to give some thought to how much equipment and effort you plan to put into the boat to make whatever you get competitive. Serious racing requires serious racing sails, deck and rigging hardware, a boat bottom kept very smooth and clean, and a practiced crew. I also would not give up on the full-keeled Alberg/Cape Dory type designs if your primary sailing will be cruising and daysailing. These type boats are wonderfully seakindly and usually have shallow drafts. And, with relatively high PHRFs, they can hold their own in handicap racing. When I used to race on a Beneteau 28 with a PHRF of around 170, we had two very old, but very well maintained Alberg 30's in the fleet. With PHRFs around 230, they regularly beat us on corrected time! While the full-keelers won't pinch as close to the wind as fin-keelers, they really are not slouches either. If you want or need any additional info on the H28.5, let me know or take a look at our website. See link.
the boat I have, the 1986 Hunter 28.5 with shoal keel. It would seem to meet most of your criteria: inboard Yanmar, standing headroom, easy to single hand, and in your price range. The 4-ft shoal keel boat won't do as well as the 5'2" deep keel version in racing, but with a PHRF of around 183 it will do ok. It will also allow you to gunkhole in some thin waters. But if you intend to race, you'll need to give some thought to how much equipment and effort you plan to put into the boat to make whatever you get competitive. Serious racing requires serious racing sails, deck and rigging hardware, a boat bottom kept very smooth and clean, and a practiced crew. I also would not give up on the full-keeled Alberg/Cape Dory type designs if your primary sailing will be cruising and daysailing. These type boats are wonderfully seakindly and usually have shallow drafts. And, with relatively high PHRFs, they can hold their own in handicap racing. When I used to race on a Beneteau 28 with a PHRF of around 170, we had two very old, but very well maintained Alberg 30's in the fleet. With PHRFs around 230, they regularly beat us on corrected time! While the full-keelers won't pinch as close to the wind as fin-keelers, they really are not slouches either. If you want or need any additional info on the H28.5, let me know or take a look at our website. See link.
Boat Size
I would suggest that you go over to Yachtworld and search. You can search on new/used, mfg/model, hull material, fuel used, number of engines, boat type, lengths, ages, prices, and location.
I would suggest that you go over to Yachtworld and search. You can search on new/used, mfg/model, hull material, fuel used, number of engines, boat type, lengths, ages, prices, and location.
30 footer?
Hi, thanks for the advice so far. I have been on yachtworld and boat trader searching for 25-28 footers and there seems to be a bit of a drought with any boats in my area for the time being. The more I look I think 25 feet might be a big small for me, but I don't wanna get too much boat that makes me now wanna go out if I can't find crew. Much of a difference between 28 and 30 feet if I have lines to the cockpit and have winches located correctly?
Hi, thanks for the advice so far. I have been on yachtworld and boat trader searching for 25-28 footers and there seems to be a bit of a drought with any boats in my area for the time being. The more I look I think 25 feet might be a big small for me, but I don't wanna get too much boat that makes me now wanna go out if I can't find crew. Much of a difference between 28 and 30 feet if I have lines to the cockpit and have winches located correctly?
This is what I would buy (see link)
Great boat with great credentials and history. 6'1" headroom - same cabin / v-berth capacity as any 30 footer I have ever seen. Easy to single hand too!!! Here's a link to their website - http://www.grampianowners.com/ Here's a link to one for sale on this site. That boat has been well maintained, and I can't believe the price they are asking. Most G-26 boats in this sort of condition fetch between $12,000 and $16,000.
Great boat with great credentials and history. 6'1" headroom - same cabin / v-berth capacity as any 30 footer I have ever seen. Easy to single hand too!!! Here's a link to their website - http://www.grampianowners.com/ Here's a link to one for sale on this site. That boat has been well maintained, and I can't believe the price they are asking. Most G-26 boats in this sort of condition fetch between $12,000 and $16,000.
Some 28 foot boats are bigger and heavier than some thirty
footers. The size isn't just in the length. My 30 is only 9 feet in the beam and about 5 tons. The Pardey's boat "Talesin" is 28 feet on deck and weighs about 8 tons.
footers. The size isn't just in the length. My 30 is only 9 feet in the beam and about 5 tons. The Pardey's boat "Talesin" is 28 feet on deck and weighs about 8 tons.
1982 Sabre 28 MKII
Doug, There is a Sabre 28 owner looking to upgrade. Don't know the price but the Sabre28 is a high quality, fine, fast boat that fits many of the criterion you have stated. Check - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sabresailboat/message/16370 BobD
Doug, There is a Sabre 28 owner looking to upgrade. Don't know the price but the Sabre28 is a high quality, fine, fast boat that fits many of the criterion you have stated. Check - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sabresailboat/message/16370 BobD
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