Looken to move up from a catalina 25 to a 28 footer. Like the looks of the 89-94 mod 28, wider beam, and more wood below. But rely like the outside looks of the H280. What to do????? Which is the more solid of the two boats, will be trailering the boat often.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
T
Terry
Hi Dale, we had an '89 H28 for three years...
cruised the San Juan Islands in ten day stints. Wonderful boat, tender, fast and easy to sail solo. All the creature comforts. She was a blast to sail and a very sturdy boat. I cannot speak for the H280. Terry
cruised the San Juan Islands in ten day stints. Wonderful boat, tender, fast and easy to sail solo. All the creature comforts. She was a blast to sail and a very sturdy boat. I cannot speak for the H280. Terry
B
Bruce Grant
I bought the 28 instead of the 280
Like you I liked the interior of the 28 much better than the 280, but you might want to take a look at the 290, they corrected alot of the issues I had with the 280's interior as well as the standing room in the head on the 28. Other than that, I loved the 28 and would highly recommend that boat to one and all. Regards. Bruce Neon Moon
Like you I liked the interior of the 28 much better than the 280, but you might want to take a look at the 290, they corrected alot of the issues I had with the 280's interior as well as the standing room in the head on the 28. Other than that, I loved the 28 and would highly recommend that boat to one and all. Regards. Bruce Neon Moon
J
Jim A
I like the 28 better than the 280
The main reason is the 28's beam is a foot bigger. The boat is much bigger inside and the cabin layout is nicer. If you want a bigger boat how about the 290? Jim DownTime H28
The main reason is the 28's beam is a foot bigger. The boat is much bigger inside and the cabin layout is nicer. If you want a bigger boat how about the 290? Jim DownTime H28
R
Rick Belisle
'88 28.5!
We've had our '88 28.5 for 8 years. Been all over Lake Michigan in her. Better made than newer ones and is fast!
We've had our '88 28.5 for 8 years. Been all over Lake Michigan in her. Better made than newer ones and is fast!
K
ken matejka
28.5
Have a look at 28.5. I bought mine 3 years ago and love it. It will smoke a 28 or 280, can be easily single handed, and has equal or more room below(although the head is a bit small). Also, it has a huge starboard lazarette for a 28 foot boat(not really sure about the 28 and 280 in this regard)
Have a look at 28.5. I bought mine 3 years ago and love it. It will smoke a 28 or 280, can be easily single handed, and has equal or more room below(although the head is a bit small). Also, it has a huge starboard lazarette for a 28 foot boat(not really sure about the 28 and 280 in this regard)
C
Crazy Dave Condon
kTrailering a 28 or 280
Either boat is not easy to trailer if you plan to do alot. First, there is the mast to remove which you will have to do with a crane, gin pole and so forth. The 280 did have an optional mast raising system but you will have to order that as there are parts to add and install. It is very cumbersom and unless you know what you are doing, then the other option is the crane, gin pole and so forth. As for launching either boat which I have done from a trailer and retrieved, there are many things you need to know. Is the ramp long enough? Do I have a big tow vehicle with four wheel drive which you will need? Do I have an extension long enough so not to sink my vehickle in the water? Will I need other help in launching which is obvioulsly yes. Do I know how to get this boat back onto the trailer? The cost of such a trailer? Allowed times to travel and the paths as this is a wide load which you will need wide load permits from each state that you travel in. There are other questions but the 280 would be the preferred choice if you are intent on trailering. I will be glad to give you other info if that is the route you are going. Dave Condon
Either boat is not easy to trailer if you plan to do alot. First, there is the mast to remove which you will have to do with a crane, gin pole and so forth. The 280 did have an optional mast raising system but you will have to order that as there are parts to add and install. It is very cumbersom and unless you know what you are doing, then the other option is the crane, gin pole and so forth. As for launching either boat which I have done from a trailer and retrieved, there are many things you need to know. Is the ramp long enough? Do I have a big tow vehicle with four wheel drive which you will need? Do I have an extension long enough so not to sink my vehickle in the water? Will I need other help in launching which is obvioulsly yes. Do I know how to get this boat back onto the trailer? The cost of such a trailer? Allowed times to travel and the paths as this is a wide load which you will need wide load permits from each state that you travel in. There are other questions but the 280 would be the preferred choice if you are intent on trailering. I will be glad to give you other info if that is the route you are going. Dave Condon
H27 1989-1999
I have a 1990 H-27 that I built a trailer for, it dispalces only 5000 lbs and has 6' headroom, shower inboard, lots of the same things as the 28 just not near as hard to trailer. Not with standing it 3'6" draft and 9' wide! We love this boat! You might want to take a look at the H-27s Good Luck Jim Calhoun
I have a 1990 H-27 that I built a trailer for, it dispalces only 5000 lbs and has 6' headroom, shower inboard, lots of the same things as the 28 just not near as hard to trailer. Not with standing it 3'6" draft and 9' wide! We love this boat! You might want to take a look at the H-27s Good Luck Jim Calhoun
T
Tim McGee
280 vs. 28.5
Dale, I have sailed on a friend's 28.5, which is a great boat. It performs well and has a "big boat" feel. I am currently in the process of buying a 280. They are somewhat similar in layout, but the 280 has a huge cockpit (comparable to a 37.5), stern rail seats, and a walk-through transom with swim steps and ladder. The downside is, since they are a newer model, they tend to cost a little more. We were originally looking at 30 footers (I almost typed the "C" word here), but opted for the 280 because it seemed like a better layout for our lake sailing, which is usually for the day, or a long weekend. The walk through transom was a plus, as we do a lot of swimming and snorkling. If we were doing more extended cruising, I would have sacrificed some cockpit and setee space for more storage with a more traditional layout. Another factor in my decision was that I could get a newer boat for the same money by going a little smaller. If you are considering trailering, you might want to look at a smaller boat. With a 9'-6' beam, (or is it 9-9?, I've seen both specs), I know you would need a special permit, in our state anyway. I currently have a Hunter 23, and stepping the mast on even that small boat is a project, and I have a pretty good setup for it. We finally decided to keep the boat moored in a marina because the setup and tear-down was too time consuming for just weekend cruising. It would be even worse now that I added roller furling. That boat is for sale, by the way. I can't comment on the 28, but hopefully I gave you some food for thought. Good luck, Tim
Dale, I have sailed on a friend's 28.5, which is a great boat. It performs well and has a "big boat" feel. I am currently in the process of buying a 280. They are somewhat similar in layout, but the 280 has a huge cockpit (comparable to a 37.5), stern rail seats, and a walk-through transom with swim steps and ladder. The downside is, since they are a newer model, they tend to cost a little more. We were originally looking at 30 footers (I almost typed the "C" word here), but opted for the 280 because it seemed like a better layout for our lake sailing, which is usually for the day, or a long weekend. The walk through transom was a plus, as we do a lot of swimming and snorkling. If we were doing more extended cruising, I would have sacrificed some cockpit and setee space for more storage with a more traditional layout. Another factor in my decision was that I could get a newer boat for the same money by going a little smaller. If you are considering trailering, you might want to look at a smaller boat. With a 9'-6' beam, (or is it 9-9?, I've seen both specs), I know you would need a special permit, in our state anyway. I currently have a Hunter 23, and stepping the mast on even that small boat is a project, and I have a pretty good setup for it. We finally decided to keep the boat moored in a marina because the setup and tear-down was too time consuming for just weekend cruising. It would be even worse now that I added roller furling. That boat is for sale, by the way. I can't comment on the 28, but hopefully I gave you some food for thought. Good luck, Tim
J
Jeff D
Compare the specs
The 28.5 has about 1000 lbs more displacement and has a 1 ft. wider beam. In addition, the 28.5 carries a masthead rig as oppossed to a fractional rig. Then there is the differnce in price which is considerable. The 28.5 has no know inherent construction issues and is a great deal as far as bang for the buck. The 280 does have a lead -vs- iron keel which may bother some people but I will be long gone before that rusts through. I would try and get on each and compare directly. Have fun no matter what boat you buy.
The 28.5 has about 1000 lbs more displacement and has a 1 ft. wider beam. In addition, the 28.5 carries a masthead rig as oppossed to a fractional rig. Then there is the differnce in price which is considerable. The 28.5 has no know inherent construction issues and is a great deal as far as bang for the buck. The 280 does have a lead -vs- iron keel which may bother some people but I will be long gone before that rusts through. I would try and get on each and compare directly. Have fun no matter what boat you buy.
J
Jim A
The 28.5
are too old. It's hard to hind one in GREAT shape. They don't have a walk through transom.
are too old. It's hard to hind one in GREAT shape. They don't have a walk through transom.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.