I am looking to buy a Hunter 28, probably built around 90 - 93 and I want to know if current or former owners think this is a good 1st boat for a novice and a good family boat (I am not interested in racing). I want to be able to single hand the boat in easy winds when no one is around to go out with. I was taking to a broker who didn't seem to like Hunter's in this size, and they carry Hunters. How does this boat compare to a Catalina or a O'Day in similar sizes? Thanks.
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Scott Blahnik
great choice
I couldn't find one available made in the early nineties when I was searching for a boat a couple years ago. Most were Hunter 30's from the seventies(in my price range), which looked a little worn, for the most part. My first boat is my hunter 270 (26.3 feet), and I'm satisfied with it. Single handing is possible, but I'd get an autopilot if I were to do it on a regular basis. Good luck!
I couldn't find one available made in the early nineties when I was searching for a boat a couple years ago. Most were Hunter 30's from the seventies(in my price range), which looked a little worn, for the most part. My first boat is my hunter 270 (26.3 feet), and I'm satisfied with it. Single handing is possible, but I'd get an autopilot if I were to do it on a regular basis. Good luck!
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Paul Aubrecht
I have one and I will be sad to see it go
I own a 93 28 and it is a lot better than the 280.Lots of interior room,great aft berth,sails great with all that canvas.I will be sad to see it get sold.It is easy to single hand and mine has 4 winches so when you tack,your sheets are right back where the wheel is.If I was you,I would make sure you get this little feature.It makes singlehanding a lot easier.Good Luck
I own a 93 28 and it is a lot better than the 280.Lots of interior room,great aft berth,sails great with all that canvas.I will be sad to see it get sold.It is easy to single hand and mine has 4 winches so when you tack,your sheets are right back where the wheel is.If I was you,I would make sure you get this little feature.It makes singlehanding a lot easier.Good Luck
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Marc Honey
28-28.5
I own a 1987 28.5 (built 85-87) and it's a fabulous boat and very easy to singlehand. I probably use it solo 80-90% of the time in winds up to 25 mph. Lots of boat for the money and all were very well built. Would be great for a small family. I've owned mine for 5 yrs. + and it's a wonderful boat.
I own a 1987 28.5 (built 85-87) and it's a fabulous boat and very easy to singlehand. I probably use it solo 80-90% of the time in winds up to 25 mph. Lots of boat for the money and all were very well built. Would be great for a small family. I've owned mine for 5 yrs. + and it's a wonderful boat.
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Terry
Hi Bob, our first boat was an 89 H28. Sailed...
her for three years. The best addition was an ST4000+ autopilot. Comfy for two, but roomy enough for four. Easy to sail solo, fast on her feet and agile. Would do it again. Terry
her for three years. The best addition was an ST4000+ autopilot. Comfy for two, but roomy enough for four. Easy to sail solo, fast on her feet and agile. Would do it again. Terry
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Mike H
28.5 good boat
Bought my '85 28.5 a couple of years ago. It's a good boat for bay or coastal sailing. Easy to single hand with just main sail. A little harder to single hand with genoa and mainsail but it can be done. I looked at several O'Days before buying the hunter. The older 28 O'Days are very well built and they offer somewhat more room below decks. The cockpit is smaller on the O'Day however. Also note that newer 280 O'Days are crap in my opinion. I almost bought an O'day 28 before buying the Hunter, but the O'Day failed the survey and then the Hunter popped up. It becomes obvious that O'Day took a leap backwards if you get a chance to compare an older 28 to a newer 28 side by side. The later model 280 O'Day's are junk. Brokers don't like 28 footers generally. And that's because they don't make much commish off them. Where ever we looked at a brokered boat they were constantly pushing a bigger newer boat at us. Very annoying. A few common problems to pass on with the 28.5: The rear rail tends to leak. The stanchions are relatively fragile, but they can be replaced by the original manufacturer for around $65 a piece. The rudder tends to delaminate from the foam core.
Bought my '85 28.5 a couple of years ago. It's a good boat for bay or coastal sailing. Easy to single hand with just main sail. A little harder to single hand with genoa and mainsail but it can be done. I looked at several O'Days before buying the hunter. The older 28 O'Days are very well built and they offer somewhat more room below decks. The cockpit is smaller on the O'Day however. Also note that newer 280 O'Days are crap in my opinion. I almost bought an O'day 28 before buying the Hunter, but the O'Day failed the survey and then the Hunter popped up. It becomes obvious that O'Day took a leap backwards if you get a chance to compare an older 28 to a newer 28 side by side. The later model 280 O'Day's are junk. Brokers don't like 28 footers generally. And that's because they don't make much commish off them. Where ever we looked at a brokered boat they were constantly pushing a bigger newer boat at us. Very annoying. A few common problems to pass on with the 28.5: The rear rail tends to leak. The stanchions are relatively fragile, but they can be replaced by the original manufacturer for around $65 a piece. The rudder tends to delaminate from the foam core.
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Trevor
It is our first boat
We bought a 1989 H28 last year as our first boat, and like it very much. My wife, young son and I use it for day sailing and for week trips (went on 2 week long trips last year, along with a few 2-3 day trips) and found the boat to be roomy enough for us (even when it rained all day!). We use it strictly for cruising. The boat is very forgiving for us neewbie sailors, and sails very well. I spent about a year looking around for a sail boat before we bought the H28, and I don't think there are too many boats out there with the same amenities and value as the H28. I haven't sailed solo too often, but it can easily be done, especially if all the lines are run to the cockpit, as I believe most are. Good luck in your hunt. Trevor
We bought a 1989 H28 last year as our first boat, and like it very much. My wife, young son and I use it for day sailing and for week trips (went on 2 week long trips last year, along with a few 2-3 day trips) and found the boat to be roomy enough for us (even when it rained all day!). We use it strictly for cruising. The boat is very forgiving for us neewbie sailors, and sails very well. I spent about a year looking around for a sail boat before we bought the H28, and I don't think there are too many boats out there with the same amenities and value as the H28. I haven't sailed solo too often, but it can easily be done, especially if all the lines are run to the cockpit, as I believe most are. Good luck in your hunt. Trevor
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the wildman
You could buy a LOT worse.
Bob, We bought a 1990 H28 5 years ago and don't regret it for a moment. I single-hand/solo sail a lot on inland lakes, so for us it provides the creature comforts our family (2A/2C) wants, and the speed/performance I need. I would not take this Hunter model far off-shore, but it was never intended to be a blue-water cruiser. Sounds like you know exactly how you want to use a new (to you) boat and in MHO you'd be making a good choice. Things to pay attention to: 1) holding tank - I had to remove/replace the original aluminum tank -- not fun, but not expensive 2) leaking opening ports - any easy fix, not costly but important 3) engine condition/maintenance - mine was/is well maintained and it shows 4) equipment - we added a bimini, cockpit cushions and interior fans to make her even more confortable After seeing/sailing our H28, one friend bought a sistership. I am considering a larger Hunter (kids keep growing) and I already have two folks interested in our H28. Granted, my sailing is different than yours, but I think you'd be making a good choice.
Bob, We bought a 1990 H28 5 years ago and don't regret it for a moment. I single-hand/solo sail a lot on inland lakes, so for us it provides the creature comforts our family (2A/2C) wants, and the speed/performance I need. I would not take this Hunter model far off-shore, but it was never intended to be a blue-water cruiser. Sounds like you know exactly how you want to use a new (to you) boat and in MHO you'd be making a good choice. Things to pay attention to: 1) holding tank - I had to remove/replace the original aluminum tank -- not fun, but not expensive 2) leaking opening ports - any easy fix, not costly but important 3) engine condition/maintenance - mine was/is well maintained and it shows 4) equipment - we added a bimini, cockpit cushions and interior fans to make her even more confortable After seeing/sailing our H28, one friend bought a sistership. I am considering a larger Hunter (kids keep growing) and I already have two folks interested in our H28. Granted, my sailing is different than yours, but I think you'd be making a good choice.
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Jennifer
28.5 - Great first boat
We bought our '86 28.5 last year and we absolutely love it. My husband never really sailed and he has picked it up with ease in our 28.5. As mentioned in an earlier post, do look out for rudder delamintaion. Our's was drained and filled with foam. So far, so good, still weeping a little bit though. Other than that, the usual upgrades and cleaning that everyone does. Be prepared to (BOAT)B.reak O.ut A.nother T.housand as the story goes!
We bought our '86 28.5 last year and we absolutely love it. My husband never really sailed and he has picked it up with ease in our 28.5. As mentioned in an earlier post, do look out for rudder delamintaion. Our's was drained and filled with foam. So far, so good, still weeping a little bit though. Other than that, the usual upgrades and cleaning that everyone does. Be prepared to (BOAT)B.reak O.ut A.nother T.housand as the story goes!
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Pete
H280
Good luck with the Hunter 28! See our write up in H280 owner reviews on this site. Fairwinds~~~Pete & Crystal
Good luck with the Hunter 28! See our write up in H280 owner reviews on this site. Fairwinds~~~Pete & Crystal
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Harold Robbins
bought ours last August
and we have not been disapointed. My wife and I are newbies to sailing and have not had any real trouble with our 89 Hunter 28. Of course there are always "fix-up" things to do, but we felt this would be our "learning" boat. It wasn't that expensive and we have added a roller-fuller, GPS, and are planning a bimini and cockpit cushions. Enjoy
and we have not been disapointed. My wife and I are newbies to sailing and have not had any real trouble with our 89 Hunter 28. Of course there are always "fix-up" things to do, but we felt this would be our "learning" boat. It wasn't that expensive and we have added a roller-fuller, GPS, and are planning a bimini and cockpit cushions. Enjoy
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Cliff Ruckstuhl
Which boat???
The 28.5,28,& 280 are three different boats so don't get confused by comments that might not apply to the boat you are looking at. Cliff 28.5 Red Dog
The 28.5,28,& 280 are three different boats so don't get confused by comments that might not apply to the boat you are looking at. Cliff 28.5 Red Dog
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Bob
Thanks Cliff
Good point, I did get a mix of replies in terms of 28, 28.5 & 280. I did put the years as 90-93 so I am talking about a Hunter 28 but it is good to see that everyone who replied liked there boat a lot as this is the size which I would probably feel comfortable with. I also wanted to see if it was common to single hand a 28 footer and have the feeling quite a few owners do it when the conditions are right. I appreciate everyone for taking the time to reply.
Good point, I did get a mix of replies in terms of 28, 28.5 & 280. I did put the years as 90-93 so I am talking about a Hunter 28 but it is good to see that everyone who replied liked there boat a lot as this is the size which I would probably feel comfortable with. I also wanted to see if it was common to single hand a 28 footer and have the feeling quite a few owners do it when the conditions are right. I appreciate everyone for taking the time to reply.
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Cliff Ruckstuhl
I saw the years
I saw that but through it out ther anyways. One thing you might want to check is the PHRF Number. I checked it but with an old book. It shows it to be a 174 for Lake Erie good number the same as the 28.5. What this does is tell you how well the boat will perform. Some might think I am not a racer, thats fine but it will tell you over all performance to other boats. Say another boat you are looking at has a PHRF number of 225. This will be alot slower in boat speed compared to the 174. Again for the I am not a racer crowed. This means I can sail 65 miles in a day verses 45 miles in a day or something like that. So that means sailing faster and going farther in a weeks vaction or a weekend trip. I try and tell people when looking at a boat to check the PHRF number this will tell you if it is a lead sled or a fast cruiser. Cliff Hunter 28.5 "Red Dog"
I saw that but through it out ther anyways. One thing you might want to check is the PHRF Number. I checked it but with an old book. It shows it to be a 174 for Lake Erie good number the same as the 28.5. What this does is tell you how well the boat will perform. Some might think I am not a racer, thats fine but it will tell you over all performance to other boats. Say another boat you are looking at has a PHRF number of 225. This will be alot slower in boat speed compared to the 174. Again for the I am not a racer crowed. This means I can sail 65 miles in a day verses 45 miles in a day or something like that. So that means sailing faster and going farther in a weeks vaction or a weekend trip. I try and tell people when looking at a boat to check the PHRF number this will tell you if it is a lead sled or a fast cruiser. Cliff Hunter 28.5 "Red Dog"
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