I have just purchased a 1985 28.5 and don't really know much about the boat. My yacht club auctioned it off for yard fees. It seems to be just the boat I've been looking for, and the price was fantastic. But, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop... You can tell me, what are the weak spots? What did you find to be problematic????
- Status
Love mine!!!
I've owned my '87 28.5 for over 3 years and its a lot of boat for the money...I suspect even more so in your case. Hopefully its in fair or better condition. Aside from some leaks around toe-rails, jib sheet tracks on deck (particularly over the sink in head), port lights in cabin, and opening hatches in head and aft cabin you seldom read of many problems with these boats. Fortunately I've only had to deal with a couple of these leaks. The yanmar that was standard is bullet proof. The boat sails great single-handed. If it has the original head in it, you'll need to jerk it out ASAP as you can't rebuild it. However, the poly tanks used for waste holding, fuel, and fresh water all hold up real well. Water pump for fresh water pressure system could be bad, but thats an easy fix. They point well, love a close to broad reach and like to sail flat if you'll put in 1st reef in main above 15-18kts. All in all one of Hunters best mid-size boats in my opinion. Seem to be a lot of happy owners out there. Best of luck with yours.
I've owned my '87 28.5 for over 3 years and its a lot of boat for the money...I suspect even more so in your case. Hopefully its in fair or better condition. Aside from some leaks around toe-rails, jib sheet tracks on deck (particularly over the sink in head), port lights in cabin, and opening hatches in head and aft cabin you seldom read of many problems with these boats. Fortunately I've only had to deal with a couple of these leaks. The yanmar that was standard is bullet proof. The boat sails great single-handed. If it has the original head in it, you'll need to jerk it out ASAP as you can't rebuild it. However, the poly tanks used for waste holding, fuel, and fresh water all hold up real well. Water pump for fresh water pressure system could be bad, but thats an easy fix. They point well, love a close to broad reach and like to sail flat if you'll put in 1st reef in main above 15-18kts. All in all one of Hunters best mid-size boats in my opinion. Seem to be a lot of happy owners out there. Best of luck with yours.
good boat
I used to own one and I liked it a lot. 1)Check for water under cabin sole trapped between stringers. 2)If it still has the original single battery I would upgrade to a 2-bank system. Other than that, just routine maintenance.
I used to own one and I liked it a lot. 1)Check for water under cabin sole trapped between stringers. 2)If it still has the original single battery I would upgrade to a 2-bank system. Other than that, just routine maintenance.
You're probably fine
I have an early 28.5 and unless its been abused ( which shoiuld be apparent, there are a few items that you will want to redo- The gaskets arount the ports, the flax in the packing box, belts, raw water impleller, fuel filter(s) including racor- pump out and blow out the fuel tank and fuel lines. Change the antifreeze. Check thru-hulls. You might need to check for leaks around the fixed plexi-windows as the caulk may have gotten brittle and cracked. You may also need to re-lube or replace the fuel shut off cable. Lube the winches. Replace the halyards and check that the rigging swedges haven't cracked ( talc powder on housings and a few drops of Hawaiian punch will bleed thru any crack) So it may have some water condensed in the fuel tank having sat for so long. Adjust the rake, tighten the rudder cables if there's alot of play. By the way- inspect the rudder for any cracks- if this boat has been exposed on the hard to the sun, the rudder casing has a tendency to crack ( that's why you see so many rudders on the hard, gift wrapped). Check to see that your fuel tank is its own poly tank. I say this because some early 28.5s were made in "pie plate" fiberglas with a board covering it and the adjacent bubble box- and you ended up with some exhaust water leaking into the fuel. Mine was replaced by Hunter after chronic fuel contamination problems. Since it was taken in a yard lien, it probably was sitting for a long time without any rents paid or work gone unpaid. The boat is probably $17-22K normally up here. I don't think that the long list above indicates that this boat has generic problems. Its just that its probably been sitting neglected for some time. Its a fine boat - perhaps alittle "jumpy" the first 12-15 degrees of heel but stiffens up nicely thereafter. Just keep your trav base in the center of the companion way and it will put a twist in the upper main allowing you to "spill" wind out the top and not bury your gunnals in a puff or steady hard blow. Jim McCue S/V Safeharbor
I have an early 28.5 and unless its been abused ( which shoiuld be apparent, there are a few items that you will want to redo- The gaskets arount the ports, the flax in the packing box, belts, raw water impleller, fuel filter(s) including racor- pump out and blow out the fuel tank and fuel lines. Change the antifreeze. Check thru-hulls. You might need to check for leaks around the fixed plexi-windows as the caulk may have gotten brittle and cracked. You may also need to re-lube or replace the fuel shut off cable. Lube the winches. Replace the halyards and check that the rigging swedges haven't cracked ( talc powder on housings and a few drops of Hawaiian punch will bleed thru any crack) So it may have some water condensed in the fuel tank having sat for so long. Adjust the rake, tighten the rudder cables if there's alot of play. By the way- inspect the rudder for any cracks- if this boat has been exposed on the hard to the sun, the rudder casing has a tendency to crack ( that's why you see so many rudders on the hard, gift wrapped). Check to see that your fuel tank is its own poly tank. I say this because some early 28.5s were made in "pie plate" fiberglas with a board covering it and the adjacent bubble box- and you ended up with some exhaust water leaking into the fuel. Mine was replaced by Hunter after chronic fuel contamination problems. Since it was taken in a yard lien, it probably was sitting for a long time without any rents paid or work gone unpaid. The boat is probably $17-22K normally up here. I don't think that the long list above indicates that this boat has generic problems. Its just that its probably been sitting neglected for some time. Its a fine boat - perhaps alittle "jumpy" the first 12-15 degrees of heel but stiffens up nicely thereafter. Just keep your trav base in the center of the companion way and it will put a twist in the upper main allowing you to "spill" wind out the top and not bury your gunnals in a puff or steady hard blow. Jim McCue S/V Safeharbor
Good Boat
I just bought an '87 28.5 a month ago and have been having a blast. Read all the old posts on this site and you'll see peopel love the boat. Large boat for the money and handles well. I've had it out just a few times but have enjoyed it. Good luck.
I just bought an '87 28.5 a month ago and have been having a blast. Read all the old posts on this site and you'll see peopel love the boat. Large boat for the money and handles well. I've had it out just a few times but have enjoyed it. Good luck.
28.5
REplace the gate valves with ball valves and replace all hoses. Add a seacock to head sink drain. Cockpit drain hoses may be cracked due to freezing water resting in them all of these years. Modifications I would make: Roller furling 6:1 mainsheet if you have the 4:1. Really makes a difference. You may be able to rebuild the head if it is a Groco, but I would replace it with a Cricket. Decks and hulls are known to spider crack which is mostly cosmetic. Check keel/hull joint but not usually a big problem with this model. New sails would probably be in order next year unless the boat has not been sailed much. Then send them off to Sail Care next fall. Too late now. Check the exhaust hose for rot, especially aroung the exit pipe. Oil the interior with lemon oil. This is all pretty small stuff and can be done for less than a $1000 and should last a long time. There really isn't much left to do other than elbow grease. Happy sailing. Other than that the boat sails well and is a big 28.
REplace the gate valves with ball valves and replace all hoses. Add a seacock to head sink drain. Cockpit drain hoses may be cracked due to freezing water resting in them all of these years. Modifications I would make: Roller furling 6:1 mainsheet if you have the 4:1. Really makes a difference. You may be able to rebuild the head if it is a Groco, but I would replace it with a Cricket. Decks and hulls are known to spider crack which is mostly cosmetic. Check keel/hull joint but not usually a big problem with this model. New sails would probably be in order next year unless the boat has not been sailed much. Then send them off to Sail Care next fall. Too late now. Check the exhaust hose for rot, especially aroung the exit pipe. Oil the interior with lemon oil. This is all pretty small stuff and can be done for less than a $1000 and should last a long time. There really isn't much left to do other than elbow grease. Happy sailing. Other than that the boat sails well and is a big 28.
Hey Guy? Need a crew this coming week?
I'll be visiting Captiva this coming week. Would love to see if sailing 28.5 in FL is as fun as in NJ. I know Ft. Myers isn't just next door but if it can workout, email me - jamestmccue@worldnet.att.net JM
I'll be visiting Captiva this coming week. Would love to see if sailing 28.5 in FL is as fun as in NJ. I know Ft. Myers isn't just next door but if it can workout, email me - jamestmccue@worldnet.att.net JM
accross the sound
hey i'll see you out there...gotta ask..how much were the yard fees...love my 86 28.5...gtreat for single handed sailing
hey i'll see you out there...gotta ask..how much were the yard fees...love my 86 28.5...gtreat for single handed sailing
Great Boat!
We've had ours for 7 years..an '88 model. We sail Lake Michigan. Have taken as long as a 3-week cruise, crossed the lake (80 miles), gotten into relatively heavy weather (8' seas, 30kt winds..she is tougher than we are. Yanmar engine runs like a top, very little maintenance. I wash/wax her every spring. Spring prep takes a couple of weekends. Fall prep is a weekend...all a labor of love. Enjoy her!
We've had ours for 7 years..an '88 model. We sail Lake Michigan. Have taken as long as a 3-week cruise, crossed the lake (80 miles), gotten into relatively heavy weather (8' seas, 30kt winds..she is tougher than we are. Yanmar engine runs like a top, very little maintenance. I wash/wax her every spring. Spring prep takes a couple of weekends. Fall prep is a weekend...all a labor of love. Enjoy her!
Easy to handle
Great boat. Very responsive and easy to sail. What did you pay for the boat? It sounds like you made a good deal.
Great boat. Very responsive and easy to sail. What did you pay for the boat? It sounds like you made a good deal.
Have the Engine Checked Out First
Unless you are a real mechanical whiz, I would have someone with a good local reputation check out the diesel engine really well. It will be relatively inexpensive and the engine will be the most expensive item to replace if something goes wrong. My 87 28.5 "Changing Channels" is a great boat and I wouldn't trade for it. At a minimum you want to get the oil changed and check all the hoses and filters. Other than that a 150 RF Genny is a good investment, but the 110 works OK on everything but a windless summer day. Just remember to reef early when the wind comes up. Mike
Unless you are a real mechanical whiz, I would have someone with a good local reputation check out the diesel engine really well. It will be relatively inexpensive and the engine will be the most expensive item to replace if something goes wrong. My 87 28.5 "Changing Channels" is a great boat and I wouldn't trade for it. At a minimum you want to get the oil changed and check all the hoses and filters. Other than that a 150 RF Genny is a good investment, but the 110 works OK on everything but a windless summer day. Just remember to reef early when the wind comes up. Mike
- Status