Back to Search
Caliber 28
Designer: Michael Mccreary  ·  Builder: Caliber Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1981
+ Add to Compare
About the Caliber 28

Designed by Michael McCreary and built by Caliber Yachts starting in 1981, this 27.5-foot cruiser established itself as a solid choice for coastal cruising and weekend sailing. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling, while the masthead sloop rig delivers straightforward sail management for cruising sailors. With a displacement of 7,200 pounds and 3,100 pounds of ballast, the Caliber 28 offers reassuring stability without being overly heavy for its size. The comfort ratio of 18.43 suggests a boat that prioritizes motion comfort over pure performance, making it well-suited for extended cruising rather than racing. The moderate sail area-to-displacement ratio of 18.42 indicates adequate performance in light to moderate conditions while remaining manageable in stronger winds. The fiberglass construction and proven design have made these boats popular on the used market, particularly among sailors seeking their first serious cruising boat. The hull speed of 6.61 knots reflects typical performance expectations for this class of cruiser. With its 10.83-foot beam and relatively shallow 3.92-foot draft, the design balances interior volume with shoal-water accessibility, appealing to sailors who enjoy exploring coastal waters and shallow anchorages.

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.
$10,500 – $10,500
typical asking price
Median $10,500  ·  3 listings used
All listings
$10,500 – $10,500 3
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) 27.50 ft / 8.38 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.33 ft / 7.42 m
Beam 10.83 ft / 3.30 m
Max Draft 3.92 ft / 1.19 m
Displacement 7,200.00 lb / 3,266 kg
Ballast 3,100.00 lb / 1,406 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 428.00 ft² / 39.76 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Michael McCreary
Builder Caliber Yachts (USA)
First Built 1981
Related Sailboats ["Contessa 27" · "Mirage 275" · "J27" · "Tanzer 28" · "Contessa 28"]
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Caliber 28? Submit a known issue

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
 186
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
 18.42
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 43.06
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 223.18
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
 18.43
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
 2.25
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. 6.61 kn
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
 2.53
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. 941.49 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 17.8
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 39.30 ft / 11.98 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.80 ft / 3.29 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 35.00 ft / 10.67 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.50 ft / 3.51 m
SA Fore 212.22 ft² / 19.72 m²
SA Main 201.25 ft² / 18.70 m²
SA Total (100%) 413.47 ft² / 38.41 m²
Est. Forestay Length 40.76 ft / 12.42 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Model 2GM20F
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 18
Fuel Capacity 22 gals / 83 L
Water Capacity 25 gals / 95 L
How It Compares

vs. J27, Mirage 275, Tanzer 28

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Caliber 28 ★
27.5 ft
J27
27.5 ft
Mirage 275
27.5 ft
Tanzer 28
27.6 ft
LWL
Caliber 28 ★
24.3 ft
J27
23.0 ft
Mirage 275
22.5 ft
Tanzer 28
23.5 ft
Beam
Caliber 28 ★
10.8 ft
J27
8.5 ft
Mirage 275
9.8 ft
Tanzer 28
9.8 ft
Displacement
Caliber 28 ★
7 lbs
J27
3 lbs
Mirage 275
6 lbs
Tanzer 28
6 lbs
Ballast
Caliber 28 ★
3 lbs
J27
1 lbs
Mirage 275
2 lbs
Tanzer 28
2 lbs
Sail Area
Caliber 28 ★
428 sq ft
J27
364 sq ft
Mirage 275
—
Tanzer 28
346 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Caliber 28 ★
186 s/nm
J27
—
Mirage 275
201 s/nm
Tanzer 28
207 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Caliber 28 ★
18.4
J27
24.0
Mirage 275
—
Tanzer 28
15.9
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Caliber 28 ★
43.1 %
J27
—
Mirage 275
35.3 %
Tanzer 28
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Caliber 28 ★
18.4
J27
13.9
Mirage 275
—
Tanzer 28
19.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Caliber 28 ★
2.25
J27
2.18
Mirage 275
—
Tanzer 28
2.11
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Caliber 28 ★
223
J27
—
Mirage 275
266
Tanzer 28
—
Hull Speed
Caliber 28 ★
6.6 kts
J27
6.4 kts
Mirage 275
—
Tanzer 28
6.5 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Caliber 28 ★
2.5
J27
4.5
Mirage 275
—
Tanzer 28
2.4
Find a Caliber 28 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace