I'm looking for any info I can on late 80s cal 28's. I need to get a bigger boat than my current H240. Originally wanted a 30-32 foot pearson or catalina but really like the Cal 28. The question is how will it sail in the Great Lakes. With the current boat usual heel is 15-20 degrees and sometimes up to 30+ before round abouting. Any one know the handling characteristics of the Cal 28. Just want something for cruising with 2 or 3 people.
Looking for info on Cal 28
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1988 Cal 28
Hi Randy, I have a 1988 Cal 28 that my wife and I have sailed for 6 seasons on the Chesapeake Bay. I'm not sure what you are specifically looking for handling-wise but we have felt very secure on our boat during that time. We have the deep fin keel version. The boat is not overly stiff in a blow but if you reef at the proper time she can sail comfortably in most breezes. She has a fairly tall masthead rig which tends to move the wind's center of effort up (and increase heel) but she also as quite a bit of beam at the deck as well as substantial freeboard to counteract this. I'd say the only conditions that can be a bit uncomfortable are motoring directly into steep chop (like we often get here in the shallow bay waters) or taking steep waves from the stern quarter. However, a small change in heading is usually all that is needed to accomodate these conditions. Let me know if you have more specific questions. Larry
Hi Randy, I have a 1988 Cal 28 that my wife and I have sailed for 6 seasons on the Chesapeake Bay. I'm not sure what you are specifically looking for handling-wise but we have felt very secure on our boat during that time. We have the deep fin keel version. The boat is not overly stiff in a blow but if you reef at the proper time she can sail comfortably in most breezes. She has a fairly tall masthead rig which tends to move the wind's center of effort up (and increase heel) but she also as quite a bit of beam at the deck as well as substantial freeboard to counteract this. I'd say the only conditions that can be a bit uncomfortable are motoring directly into steep chop (like we often get here in the shallow bay waters) or taking steep waves from the stern quarter. However, a small change in heading is usually all that is needed to accomodate these conditions. Let me know if you have more specific questions. Larry
How about this scenario?
Thanks for the info, do you have any pics of the boat on the cradle? I've only seen one or two with it in the water. I've seen a few of the insides in looks very nice inside. I do have a question on the following scenario: Your not reefed you have 2-3 foot waves in the bay you have steady 15kt winds. What angle of heeling will you be seeing at different points of sail.
Thanks for the info, do you have any pics of the boat on the cradle? I've only seen one or two with it in the water. I've seen a few of the insides in looks very nice inside. I do have a question on the following scenario: Your not reefed you have 2-3 foot waves in the bay you have steady 15kt winds. What angle of heeling will you be seeing at different points of sail.
R
Rich
I find her stable and well-behaved
I'm coming to the end of my first season with my 1987 Cal 28-2. I haven't had the chance to take her into a really stiff blow, since Summer winds on Long Island Sound tend to be light, but on our windiest outing I was surprised at how hard it was to take her down below 15 degrees (I have a clinometer on the bulkhead). This hull has been very well behaved in steep wakes and chops, which I attribute to the wide beam (these are very spacious boats and look more like 30-32 footers inside the cabin). They are not, however, so much like a skimming dish as some other beamy models, with a very flat, knife-like bow entry. I think 30 degrees would be an uncomfortable angle for this hull and you would probably be adjusting your sail trim or reefing before getting there.
I'm coming to the end of my first season with my 1987 Cal 28-2. I haven't had the chance to take her into a really stiff blow, since Summer winds on Long Island Sound tend to be light, but on our windiest outing I was surprised at how hard it was to take her down below 15 degrees (I have a clinometer on the bulkhead). This hull has been very well behaved in steep wakes and chops, which I attribute to the wide beam (these are very spacious boats and look more like 30-32 footers inside the cabin). They are not, however, so much like a skimming dish as some other beamy models, with a very flat, knife-like bow entry. I think 30 degrees would be an uncomfortable angle for this hull and you would probably be adjusting your sail trim or reefing before getting there.
Hauled pictures
These are the only digital pictures I currently have of the boat hauled. Regarding your other question, with 15 kt steady, I would be a bit overcanvassed sailing to weather with the 140% genoa we have. Our sails are quite old and cannot be flattened enough for these conditions so we usually start to furl the genoa some. I don't have an inclinometer but I would guesstimate our max heel in these conditions to be around 30-40 degrees before the boat starts to round up. Once we furl the genoa though we settle in with 10-20 deg of heel depending on how gusty it is. Off of the wind in 15 kt we are generally ok with full sail, esp. if we are broad reaching.
These are the only digital pictures I currently have of the boat hauled. Regarding your other question, with 15 kt steady, I would be a bit overcanvassed sailing to weather with the 140% genoa we have. Our sails are quite old and cannot be flattened enough for these conditions so we usually start to furl the genoa some. I don't have an inclinometer but I would guesstimate our max heel in these conditions to be around 30-40 degrees before the boat starts to round up. Once we furl the genoa though we settle in with 10-20 deg of heel depending on how gusty it is. Off of the wind in 15 kt we are generally ok with full sail, esp. if we are broad reaching.
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