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Cal 28

Designer: C. W. Lapworth  ·  Builder: Jensen Marine  ·  First built: 1963
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About the Cal 28

Built during California's golden age of fiberglass sailboat manufacturing, this mid-sized cruiser emerged from Cal Yachts' Costa Mesa facility as part of their popular lineup targeting recreational sailors. Cal Yachts established a strong reputation for producing well-built, affordable boats that delivered solid performance without breaking the bank. This particular model reflects the design philosophy that made Cal Yachts successful throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The boat features a moderate displacement hull with clean lines characteristic of the era, offering a good balance between comfort and sailing ability. Her size makes her well-suited for coastal cruising and weekend adventures, with enough interior volume for extended trips while remaining manageable for a small crew. Cal boats of this vintage are known for their solid fiberglass construction and straightforward systems, making them popular choices among sailors seeking reliable, low-maintenance vessels. The design emphasizes practicality over luxury, appealing to sailors who prioritize sailing performance and seaworthiness over elaborate amenities. Today, these boats maintain a loyal following among cruising sailors who appreciate their honest construction and proven track record on the water.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$7,499 – $18,000
typical asking price
Median $7,650  ·  4 listings used
All listings
$7,499 – $18,000 4
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.50 ft / 6.86 m
Beam 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Max Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 6,000.00 lb / 2,722 kg
Ballast 2,200.00 lb / 998 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 352.00 ft² / 32.70 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer C. W. Lapworth
Builder Jensen Marine
First Built 1963
Last Built 1969
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
204
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
17.11
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
20.57
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.98
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.36
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
2.33
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 723.55
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 33.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.4
P (Mainsail Luff) 28.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.7
SA Fore 188.1
SA Main 163.8
How It Compares

vs. Coronado 28, Ericson 28 2, Grampian 28, Irwin 28, Pearson 28 1975 80

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Cal 28 ★
28.0 ft
Coronado 28
28.0 ft
Ericson 28 2
28.0 ft
Grampian 28
28.0 ft
Irwin 28
28.0 ft
Pearson 28 1975 80
28.0 ft
LWL
Cal 28 ★
22.5 ft
Coronado 28
22.2 ft
Ericson 28 2
23.3 ft
Grampian 28
24.5 ft
Irwin 28
22.5 ft
Pearson 28 1975 80
24.0 ft
Beam
Cal 28 ★
9.0 ft
Coronado 28
8.5 ft
Ericson 28 2
10.0 ft
Grampian 28
9.5 ft
Irwin 28
8.0 ft
Pearson 28 1975 80
9.3 ft
Displacement
Cal 28 ★
6 lbs
Coronado 28
6 lbs
Ericson 28 2
7 lbs
Grampian 28
6 lbs
Irwin 28
7 lbs
Pearson 28 1975 80
7 lbs
Ballast
Cal 28 ★
2 lbs
Coronado 28
2 lbs
Ericson 28 2
3 lbs
Grampian 28
3 lbs
Irwin 28
3 lbs
Pearson 28 1975 80
3 lbs
Sail Area
Cal 28 ★
352 sq ft
Coronado 28
Ericson 28 2
411 sq ft
Grampian 28
Irwin 28
397 sq ft
Pearson 28 1975 80
395 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Cal 28 ★
204 s/nm
Coronado 28
216 s/nm
Ericson 28 2
Grampian 28
198 s/nm
Irwin 28
234 s/nm
Pearson 28 1975 80
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Cal 28 ★
17.1
Coronado 28
Ericson 28 2
17.2
Grampian 28
Irwin 28
16.1
Pearson 28 1975 80
16.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Cal 28 ★
Coronado 28
41.2 %
Ericson 28 2
Grampian 28
44.4 %
Irwin 28
Pearson 28 1975 80
45.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Cal 28 ★
20.6
Coronado 28
Ericson 28 2
21.8
Grampian 28
Irwin 28
31.7
Pearson 28 1975 80
24.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Cal 28 ★
1.98
Coronado 28
Ericson 28 2
2.05
Grampian 28
Irwin 28
1.61
Pearson 28 1975 80
1.86
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Cal 28 ★
Coronado 28
278
Ericson 28 2
Grampian 28
209
Irwin 28
Pearson 28 1975 80
253
Hull Speed
Cal 28 ★
6.4 kts
Coronado 28
Ericson 28 2
6.5 kts
Grampian 28
Irwin 28
6.4 kts
Pearson 28 1975 80
6.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Cal 28 ★
2.3
Coronado 28
Ericson 28 2
2.1
Grampian 28
Irwin 28
1.6
Pearson 28 1975 80
2.0
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