I was wondering what Catalina 28 owners think of their boat? I’ve had a 22' & 27' Catalina that I've liked, along with 5 other boats up to 40’, but I’m thinking of buying a used 28 from the 90’s this time. How is the storage? Sailing? Engine power? Etc. I noticed that the water and fuel take up a lot of room under the seats? Anything you dislike? Thanks, JOHN
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Catalina 28 MKII
I've got a 1994 Catalina 28 tall rig with a wing keel which I've owned for about 4 years. The storage is adequate for me but I use the boat as a day sailer and over-nighter; no extended use. I view the storage/ useful living space as a trade-off. The cockpit and the cabin are both extremely roomy for a 28 footer. I think storage is also somewhat limited because it packs a lot of systems into a 28 foot boat (i.e., hot water heater). I think the boat sails very well. I beefed up the blocks and traveler and put on a rigid boom vang with Garahuer stuff. I also added a cruising spinaker. I don't race the boat but it seems to point into the wind well and rides smoothly. I have an 18 horse Universal with a 3 blade prop which pushes me at a little less than hull speed if the bottom is clean. I think the boat offers a lot of value for the money. I can't think of anything I really dislike about the boat.
I've got a 1994 Catalina 28 tall rig with a wing keel which I've owned for about 4 years. The storage is adequate for me but I use the boat as a day sailer and over-nighter; no extended use. I view the storage/ useful living space as a trade-off. The cockpit and the cabin are both extremely roomy for a 28 footer. I think storage is also somewhat limited because it packs a lot of systems into a 28 foot boat (i.e., hot water heater). I think the boat sails very well. I beefed up the blocks and traveler and put on a rigid boom vang with Garahuer stuff. I also added a cruising spinaker. I don't race the boat but it seems to point into the wind well and rides smoothly. I have an 18 horse Universal with a 3 blade prop which pushes me at a little less than hull speed if the bottom is clean. I think the boat offers a lot of value for the money. I can't think of anything I really dislike about the boat.
C28 Observations
John Bob is right, the boat is fine for a daysailer. But it was "pushed" as much more. In my opinion, the C28 is the most ill conceived and mispriced boat Catalina has ever made. (And pretty much the ONLY bad one.) The C27 was/is fine (C270 is a different boat). The C30 was/still is superb. The C34 is great (we have one!). The C320 and C310 made good marks. All the rest of them are much bigger boats. The space on a C30 is MUCH more. The C28 is a micro version of a C320 or C34. It costs more per pound and per foot, new or used, than any other Catalina ever made. It is NOT a good idea unless you like paying more for something less. You could buy a bigger, roomier C30. If you absolutely must have an aft cabin, try a C310, C320 or C34. The C28 was the first one WITH and aft cabin, but postage stamp sized then AND now. It was great idea, but I don't think it made it. You've had bigger boats, so you could buy the most space/cost effective one you can. UNLESS, of course, YOU like it (the C28), which is ALL that counts!!! Go for it. It's still a great boat with good systems. The Cost/benefit ratio considerations are all yours. I've always liked the concept, and when we decided to "move up" from our C25 in 1998, we started @ the C28, then a C30 but got the C34 - very glad we did . Stu PS FYI, re our experience: we had a C22 for 5 years, a C25 for 11 years and have had our C34 for 6 years. We love Catalinas.
John Bob is right, the boat is fine for a daysailer. But it was "pushed" as much more. In my opinion, the C28 is the most ill conceived and mispriced boat Catalina has ever made. (And pretty much the ONLY bad one.) The C27 was/is fine (C270 is a different boat). The C30 was/still is superb. The C34 is great (we have one!). The C320 and C310 made good marks. All the rest of them are much bigger boats. The space on a C30 is MUCH more. The C28 is a micro version of a C320 or C34. It costs more per pound and per foot, new or used, than any other Catalina ever made. It is NOT a good idea unless you like paying more for something less. You could buy a bigger, roomier C30. If you absolutely must have an aft cabin, try a C310, C320 or C34. The C28 was the first one WITH and aft cabin, but postage stamp sized then AND now. It was great idea, but I don't think it made it. You've had bigger boats, so you could buy the most space/cost effective one you can. UNLESS, of course, YOU like it (the C28), which is ALL that counts!!! Go for it. It's still a great boat with good systems. The Cost/benefit ratio considerations are all yours. I've always liked the concept, and when we decided to "move up" from our C25 in 1998, we started @ the C28, then a C30 but got the C34 - very glad we did . Stu PS FYI, re our experience: we had a C22 for 5 years, a C25 for 11 years and have had our C34 for 6 years. We love Catalinas.
C28 + and -
I have a 1991 C28 and I love the boat. There are +'s and -'s to all boats ( I have had 4 different ones). The rear birth is tight to get into so my wife uses the front and I use the back. It is a boat that I find very eady for 1 person to handle and the interior is great for two. I do not expect the ='s of a 30 in my 28, I know there are trade off's. Under engine power it has a stronger PORT pull the C27's or some Hinters I've been on. It sails smooth and with some minor rerigging to get everything to the helm its simple to sail by yourself. Some larger boats need more then 1 if they are not setup right. The cost is no different then if you like a BMW or a Chev. Its what you want that counts. The 28 does hold its value good, I bought mine 3 years ago and I can still sell it for almost what I paid for it. Dave KDSSAIL@HOTMAIL.COM
I have a 1991 C28 and I love the boat. There are +'s and -'s to all boats ( I have had 4 different ones). The rear birth is tight to get into so my wife uses the front and I use the back. It is a boat that I find very eady for 1 person to handle and the interior is great for two. I do not expect the ='s of a 30 in my 28, I know there are trade off's. Under engine power it has a stronger PORT pull the C27's or some Hinters I've been on. It sails smooth and with some minor rerigging to get everything to the helm its simple to sail by yourself. Some larger boats need more then 1 if they are not setup right. The cost is no different then if you like a BMW or a Chev. Its what you want that counts. The 28 does hold its value good, I bought mine 3 years ago and I can still sell it for almost what I paid for it. Dave KDSSAIL@HOTMAIL.COM
IMHO
the C30 is the very most boat you can get for the money. after sailing our C25 for 6yrs there was no doubt in my mind the C30 was the boat for us and we love it. but, as everyone stated and I dont deny get what makes you happy. there was a time I was just happy as a pig in ---- to have a V24 that I paid $1800 for!
the C30 is the very most boat you can get for the money. after sailing our C25 for 6yrs there was no doubt in my mind the C30 was the boat for us and we love it. but, as everyone stated and I dont deny get what makes you happy. there was a time I was just happy as a pig in ---- to have a V24 that I paid $1800 for!
C-28
C-28 is nice to sail singlehanded. I've also cruised singlehanded. There is not much storage but somehow every thing gets stored. The boat sails well and is very stiff under sail. Its got everything you need (diesel, wheel, hot water, shower, etc) in one package. Good cruising for two, daysailing for four. Rick
C-28 is nice to sail singlehanded. I've also cruised singlehanded. There is not much storage but somehow every thing gets stored. The boat sails well and is very stiff under sail. Its got everything you need (diesel, wheel, hot water, shower, etc) in one package. Good cruising for two, daysailing for four. Rick
CAT 28
WE JUST FINISHED OUR SECOND SEASON WITH OUR 1991 28 HULL# 158. WE MOVED UP FROM A 16FT DAY SAILOR. WE LOOKED AT A LOT OF BOATS WHICH WERE SMALLER AND LESS MONEY THEN WE DISCOVERED THE BOAT LOAN. WE LOOKED AT A 1985 C30 BUT THE WIFE WAS SCARED OF THE SIZE AND WE LIKED THE LAYOUT OF THE 28 BETTER. WE PAID $28,500 FOR HER WHICH WAS AT THE TOP OF OUR BUDGET. I SINGLE HANDLE HER OFTEN ON THE HUDSON AND I FIND HER VERY FORGIVING, THE 18HP DESIL WITH A 3 BLADE PROP PUSHES HER AT HULL SPEED AT 2,OOO RPM. IT COST ME $20.00 FOR FUEL FOR THE WHOLE SEASON. IVE BEEN TOLD BY THE BROKER THAT I COULD EASILY GET MY MONEY BACK WHEN AND IF I WANT TO STEP UP TO A BIGGER BOAT, PERHAPS A C320 OR C34 BUT ILL HAVE TO COME UP WITH A WHOLE LOT MORE BUCKS TO DO THAT. IM SOOOOOO GLAD I DIDNT BUY THE ODAY 25 WE LOOKED AT AND WE APPREACIATE THE STANDING HEAD ROOM. NEXT YEAR WE PLAN TO ADD A BIMINI AND A GENIKER TO HELP DOWN WIND PERFORMANCE. IN MY OPINION IF YOU CANT AFFORD A BIGGER BOAT YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH THAT C28. KEN
WE JUST FINISHED OUR SECOND SEASON WITH OUR 1991 28 HULL# 158. WE MOVED UP FROM A 16FT DAY SAILOR. WE LOOKED AT A LOT OF BOATS WHICH WERE SMALLER AND LESS MONEY THEN WE DISCOVERED THE BOAT LOAN. WE LOOKED AT A 1985 C30 BUT THE WIFE WAS SCARED OF THE SIZE AND WE LIKED THE LAYOUT OF THE 28 BETTER. WE PAID $28,500 FOR HER WHICH WAS AT THE TOP OF OUR BUDGET. I SINGLE HANDLE HER OFTEN ON THE HUDSON AND I FIND HER VERY FORGIVING, THE 18HP DESIL WITH A 3 BLADE PROP PUSHES HER AT HULL SPEED AT 2,OOO RPM. IT COST ME $20.00 FOR FUEL FOR THE WHOLE SEASON. IVE BEEN TOLD BY THE BROKER THAT I COULD EASILY GET MY MONEY BACK WHEN AND IF I WANT TO STEP UP TO A BIGGER BOAT, PERHAPS A C320 OR C34 BUT ILL HAVE TO COME UP WITH A WHOLE LOT MORE BUCKS TO DO THAT. IM SOOOOOO GLAD I DIDNT BUY THE ODAY 25 WE LOOKED AT AND WE APPREACIATE THE STANDING HEAD ROOM. NEXT YEAR WE PLAN TO ADD A BIMINI AND A GENIKER TO HELP DOWN WIND PERFORMANCE. IN MY OPINION IF YOU CANT AFFORD A BIGGER BOAT YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH THAT C28. KEN
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