I hope to become a Hunter owner soon, and this website and its forums have proven invaluable in my shopping. I am looking at the 28, 28.5, 30, and 31. I found plans for all of them except the 28.5. I have been in both the 28 and the 28.5, and I had the feeling that the 28.5 was much smaller (v-berth, aft berth, head) than the 28. I didn't actually measure them, though (wish I had). Does any body have the exact measurements of the head, v-berth and aft berth of these two models for comparison? I want to know what exactly I'm giving up in the 28.5. Also, any insights you can offer about the differences between these four models will be greatly appreciated. I am attracted to the 28 and the 30 because of interior layout as well as open transom. Thanks in advance for the help! Sherry Whitten swhitten@midsouth.rr.com
Comparing 28 and 28.5
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Don't forget about the 29.5
The 28 and 28.5 will both be good boats. The 28 is clearly more ergonomically pleasing and friendly. I have a 25.5 though and I kind of like the retro look with the 28.5 sleak lines. The only thing I would suggest is to not forget about the 29.5. This is the newer style and I think it has the best cockpit in the size out of all the boats you're looking at.
The 28 and 28.5 will both be good boats. The 28 is clearly more ergonomically pleasing and friendly. I have a 25.5 though and I kind of like the retro look with the 28.5 sleak lines. The only thing I would suggest is to not forget about the 29.5. This is the newer style and I think it has the best cockpit in the size out of all the boats you're looking at.
Check the specs
You should take advantage of the boat descriptions and particularly the specifications elsewhere on this site. I myself am somewhat biased as I've owned a 28.5 since new in '86. From a performance standpoint the newer Hunters won't hold a candle to a deep draft 28.5 in either speed or pointing ability. Check out PHRF numbers if you need unbiased performance data. The interiors of the 28 and 28.5 differ by 6" in length, with thew 28 having a shorter J dimension, hence the V berth may be slightly smaller. However, on the 28 the aft cabin may be larger as it aparently runs completely across the 28, but is smaller on the 28.5. Check out the ventilation on both models for the aft / quarter berths if you expect to have more than two people aboard. The 28 has the shallowest keel of all the models you're looking at, and therefore would carry less sail area before reefing, but on the plus side it's 3'-9" depth may get you into places even the 4' shoal draft 28.5 and 31's won't.
You should take advantage of the boat descriptions and particularly the specifications elsewhere on this site. I myself am somewhat biased as I've owned a 28.5 since new in '86. From a performance standpoint the newer Hunters won't hold a candle to a deep draft 28.5 in either speed or pointing ability. Check out PHRF numbers if you need unbiased performance data. The interiors of the 28 and 28.5 differ by 6" in length, with thew 28 having a shorter J dimension, hence the V berth may be slightly smaller. However, on the 28 the aft cabin may be larger as it aparently runs completely across the 28, but is smaller on the 28.5. Check out the ventilation on both models for the aft / quarter berths if you expect to have more than two people aboard. The 28 has the shallowest keel of all the models you're looking at, and therefore would carry less sail area before reefing, but on the plus side it's 3'-9" depth may get you into places even the 4' shoal draft 28.5 and 31's won't.
28.5 and the 28
Stewart and I both have a 28.5 and we both love our boat's. These 2 boats have pretty much the same interior style with a open boat feeling. Decks are different with the 28.5 being more of a racer cruiser style and the 28 being a cruisor. Performace wise the 28.5 deep keel boat will out sail the 28 all day long. I believe the 28.5 deep keel boat is stiffer and will out perform the 28. I also think the 28 will have less interior volume because it is a little shorter and also because of the swim platform. Yes the swim platform is nice but it also eats up some interior volume. The 28.5 is a mast head rig vs the Frac rig of the 28. Traveler is in a better location for sailing and with the winches in the aft location the 28.5 can be single handed very easly. Based on sailing performance such as speed through the water stiffness I would buy the 28.5 over the 28. If you might think racing might be in the future and allot of people think never to this only to decide later they love it the 28.5 would be the boat to have. In our fleet we race against Catalina 30's,Oday 28,Tartan 30,s Saber 28's Person 30's and Hunter 31's we come out on top more then the bottom. A well prepaired and well sailed H 28.5 can be a very fast boat. Cliff
Stewart and I both have a 28.5 and we both love our boat's. These 2 boats have pretty much the same interior style with a open boat feeling. Decks are different with the 28.5 being more of a racer cruiser style and the 28 being a cruisor. Performace wise the 28.5 deep keel boat will out sail the 28 all day long. I believe the 28.5 deep keel boat is stiffer and will out perform the 28. I also think the 28 will have less interior volume because it is a little shorter and also because of the swim platform. Yes the swim platform is nice but it also eats up some interior volume. The 28.5 is a mast head rig vs the Frac rig of the 28. Traveler is in a better location for sailing and with the winches in the aft location the 28.5 can be single handed very easly. Based on sailing performance such as speed through the water stiffness I would buy the 28.5 over the 28. If you might think racing might be in the future and allot of people think never to this only to decide later they love it the 28.5 would be the boat to have. In our fleet we race against Catalina 30's,Oday 28,Tartan 30,s Saber 28's Person 30's and Hunter 31's we come out on top more then the bottom. A well prepaired and well sailed H 28.5 can be a very fast boat. Cliff
Thanks again
Thank you all for the great answers. I will reconsider my first impression of the 28.5. I'm a lightning racer from way back, so of course go-fast is in my blood
Any 28 owners want to defend their model over the 28.5? Thanks again!
Thank you all for the great answers. I will reconsider my first impression of the 28.5. I'm a lightning racer from way back, so of course go-fast is in my blood
Any 28 owners want to defend their model over the 28.5? Thanks again!Lean towards the 28.5...
Sherry, I too have a 28.5 and purchased the boat initially for cruising, but must admit I am getting the racing bug! In fact I will be crewing with Cliff this weekend in the Mills Race in Toledo. I wanted a boat which could offer an alternative to "puttsing around" and I must say this boat has great sailing characteristics...I sailed on Columbias, O'days, Catalinas, Jeaunneas(pricey)and still glad I got the 28.5. On the other hand, my first mate(wife) enjoys the comfort down below and spent most of last year doing homework(working towards bachelors) while I sailed. There is more room on the 28.5 vs. 28. Since this will most likely be your 3rd biggest purchase,(home, car and boat)take a long term view and evaluate where you want to be in 2-3 years...cruising, racing, or both. The trend in newer boats is comfort and cruising, whereas the emphasis in the 80's & early 90's was competitiveness with racing in mind. From a marketing perspective look at it this way...those who boat boats 20 years ago for weekend racing are now buying boats today for weekend retirement parties and kibitsing...a fancy Water Bound Winnebago with Sails. I am biased towards the 28.5. Dan
Sherry, I too have a 28.5 and purchased the boat initially for cruising, but must admit I am getting the racing bug! In fact I will be crewing with Cliff this weekend in the Mills Race in Toledo. I wanted a boat which could offer an alternative to "puttsing around" and I must say this boat has great sailing characteristics...I sailed on Columbias, O'days, Catalinas, Jeaunneas(pricey)and still glad I got the 28.5. On the other hand, my first mate(wife) enjoys the comfort down below and spent most of last year doing homework(working towards bachelors) while I sailed. There is more room on the 28.5 vs. 28. Since this will most likely be your 3rd biggest purchase,(home, car and boat)take a long term view and evaluate where you want to be in 2-3 years...cruising, racing, or both. The trend in newer boats is comfort and cruising, whereas the emphasis in the 80's & early 90's was competitiveness with racing in mind. From a marketing perspective look at it this way...those who boat boats 20 years ago for weekend racing are now buying boats today for weekend retirement parties and kibitsing...a fancy Water Bound Winnebago with Sails. I am biased towards the 28.5. Dan
PHRF
Thanks for the feedback. My impression, having spent a brief amount of time on both boats, is that the v-berth, aft berth, and head were smaller on the 28.5. Do you sleep two comfortably in the aft berth on the 28.5? I will primarily have three of us on board - me, my husband, and my teenage daughter. But I will occasionally be cruising with more. As for my intended uses, I will start out cruising, but I know that racing is in my blood from way back, so I will eventually find my way to the local club fleet. I did some web searching for phrf ratings, but I had a hard time finding fleets that had both boats, and the ratings were somewhat conflicting. Can you point me to a better web reference with ratings on it? Thanks!
Thanks for the feedback. My impression, having spent a brief amount of time on both boats, is that the v-berth, aft berth, and head were smaller on the 28.5. Do you sleep two comfortably in the aft berth on the 28.5? I will primarily have three of us on board - me, my husband, and my teenage daughter. But I will occasionally be cruising with more. As for my intended uses, I will start out cruising, but I know that racing is in my blood from way back, so I will eventually find my way to the local club fleet. I did some web searching for phrf ratings, but I had a hard time finding fleets that had both boats, and the ratings were somewhat conflicting. Can you point me to a better web reference with ratings on it? Thanks!
28.5 vs 28 PHRF and size
Sherry, I would be surprised if the 28 was bigger down below, I am 6 ft and my wife and I love the V berth. The aft berth will be is also big enough for 2 people. PHRF Numbers for the boats on Lake Erie are the 28 with a 189 and the 28.5 with a 177. This puts the 28.5 12 seconds a mile faster and I am sure if these 2 boats were racing up wind the 28 would get crushed by the 28.5 deep keel boat. Cliff
Sherry, I would be surprised if the 28 was bigger down below, I am 6 ft and my wife and I love the V berth. The aft berth will be is also big enough for 2 people. PHRF Numbers for the boats on Lake Erie are the 28 with a 189 and the 28.5 with a 177. This puts the 28.5 12 seconds a mile faster and I am sure if these 2 boats were racing up wind the 28 would get crushed by the 28.5 deep keel boat. Cliff
Comparing the 28 and 28.5
I,too, have an H28.5 and love it. To me, it is a great boat to single hand or cruise with a small family like yours. You've already heard from the racers below, but like you, I began sailing by racing one-design boats (Snipes and Lightnings) and so I always sail my boat as hard and fast as the weather will safely allow. Having squeamish passengers also causes me to reduce heeling and stand the boat up. I don't know what kind of winds you get on Pickwick Lake, but if you sail in a light wind area like I do on Chesapeake Bay, you'll find the 28.5 to be an outstanding performer. I doubt the heavier, frationally rigged 28 could keep up. On the other hand, I note that the 28 was made into the mid-90's so the opportunity to own a newer boat should be considered. Finally, performance and space below notwithstanding, you've really got to like the way your boat looks in order to bond with it. I love the lines and looks of the 28.5. Which model would cause you to turn and look back at your boat in the slip after a day's sailing and you are walking up the dock toward your car?
I,too, have an H28.5 and love it. To me, it is a great boat to single hand or cruise with a small family like yours. You've already heard from the racers below, but like you, I began sailing by racing one-design boats (Snipes and Lightnings) and so I always sail my boat as hard and fast as the weather will safely allow. Having squeamish passengers also causes me to reduce heeling and stand the boat up. I don't know what kind of winds you get on Pickwick Lake, but if you sail in a light wind area like I do on Chesapeake Bay, you'll find the 28.5 to be an outstanding performer. I doubt the heavier, frationally rigged 28 could keep up. On the other hand, I note that the 28 was made into the mid-90's so the opportunity to own a newer boat should be considered. Finally, performance and space below notwithstanding, you've really got to like the way your boat looks in order to bond with it. I love the lines and looks of the 28.5. Which model would cause you to turn and look back at your boat in the slip after a day's sailing and you are walking up the dock toward your car?
Im jealous....
Yikes, you own a H30 and a H28.5! You must live right.... I have to admit, it's all in the eye of the beholder. I really like the way the older (up to '83) Hunter 30's look. If I could have found one in decent shape and at the right price, I would have bought it. As is, I have a great H28.5 and it turns my head each time I leave her....
Yikes, you own a H30 and a H28.5! You must live right.... I have to admit, it's all in the eye of the beholder. I really like the way the older (up to '83) Hunter 30's look. If I could have found one in decent shape and at the right price, I would have bought it. As is, I have a great H28.5 and it turns my head each time I leave her....
Not as well off as you think!
No, no. I am LOOKING at 28, 28.5, and 30. Wish I had the $$$ to own one of each - of course, then I would just combine it all and own something bigger I signed a contract on a 1989 H28 this morning, pending the survey. I know several of you recommended the 28.5, but the 28 really spoke to me when I saw her. I, like you, turn back to look at her everytime I walk down the dock. Wish me luck!!!!
No, no. I am LOOKING at 28, 28.5, and 30. Wish I had the $$$ to own one of each - of course, then I would just combine it all and own something bigger
I signed a contract on a 1989 H28 this morning, pending the survey. I know several of you recommended the 28.5, but the 28 really spoke to me when I saw her. I, like you, turn back to look at her everytime I walk down the dock. Wish me luck!!!!
Food for Thought
Don't overlook the sailing characteristics of each of them. Ergonomics and beauty are, as they say, skin deep. Most important is the reason for buying a sailboat in the first place. Having sailed all of these boats, in my opinion the 28.5 is the best sailing vessel of all of these models.
Don't overlook the sailing characteristics of each of them. Ergonomics and beauty are, as they say, skin deep. Most important is the reason for buying a sailboat in the first place. Having sailed all of these boats, in my opinion the 28.5 is the best sailing vessel of all of these models.
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