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Cape 28
Designer: Bob Klusendick  ·  Builder: Nebe Boat Works (Sa)  ·  First built: 1981
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About the Cape 28

Built for South African waters, this compact cruiser emerged from a sailing tradition that values seaworthiness over flash. The Cape 28 represents practical coastal cruising design, engineered to handle the challenging conditions found around the Cape of Good Hope and similar demanding sailing environments. With her moderate proportions and sturdy construction, this boat appeals to sailors seeking reliable performance without excessive complexity. The design emphasizes seakindly motion and predictable handling characteristics that inspire confidence in varied conditions. Her size makes her manageable for short-handed sailing while providing enough interior volume for comfortable weekending or extended coastal passages. The Cape 28's reputation centers on her ability to punch through choppy seas and maintain course in fresh breezes. She's particularly well-suited for sailors transitioning from smaller boats who want coastal cruising capability without the expense and complexity of larger vessels. While not designed for offshore passages or racing, she excels in her intended role as a sturdy day sailor and weekend cruiser. For buyers seeking a no-nonsense coastal cruiser with proven seaworthiness, the Cape 28 offers straightforward sailing pleasure backed by South African marine engineering expertise.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.69 ft / 7.22 m
Beam 9.19 ft / 2.80 m
Max Draft 4.49 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 10,000.00 lb / 4,536 kg
Ballast 3,496.00 lb / 1,586 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bob Klusendick
Builder Nebe Boat Works (SA)
First Built 1981
Related Sailboats S2 86 · Aloha 28 · Grampian 28 · Ranger 28 · Spirit 28 Finch
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
34.96
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
335.78
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. 4.67 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 13.14
P (Mainsail Luff) 380.00 ft² / 35.30 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Diesel
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 6 gals / 23 L
Water Capacity 30 gals / 114 L
How It Compares

vs. Aloha 28, Grampian 28, Ranger 28, S2 86, Spirit 28 Finch

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Cape 28 ★
28.0 ft
Aloha 28
28.0 ft
Grampian 28
28.0 ft
Ranger 28
28.0 ft
S2 86
28.0 ft
Spirit 28 Finch
28.0 ft
LWL
Cape 28 ★
23.7 ft
Aloha 28
24.5 ft
Grampian 28
24.5 ft
Ranger 28
21.7 ft
S2 86
22.5 ft
Spirit 28 Finch
23.0 ft
Beam
Cape 28 ★
9.2 ft
Aloha 28
9.4 ft
Grampian 28
9.5 ft
Ranger 28
9.6 ft
S2 86
9.5 ft
Spirit 28 Finch
10.0 ft
Displacement
Cape 28 ★
10 lbs
Aloha 28
6 lbs
Grampian 28
6 lbs
Ranger 28
5 lbs
S2 86
7 lbs
Spirit 28 Finch
6 lbs
Ballast
Cape 28 ★
3 lbs
Aloha 28
3 lbs
Grampian 28
3 lbs
Ranger 28
2 lbs
S2 86
3 lbs
Spirit 28 Finch
2 lbs
Sail Area
Cape 28 ★
Aloha 28
373 sq ft
Grampian 28
Ranger 28
S2 86
390 sq ft
Spirit 28 Finch
365 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Cape 28 ★
Aloha 28
195 s/nm
Grampian 28
198 s/nm
Ranger 28
185 s/nm
S2 86
Spirit 28 Finch
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Cape 28 ★
Aloha 28
16.8
Grampian 28
Ranger 28
S2 86
16.2
Spirit 28 Finch
16.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Cape 28 ★
35.0 %
Aloha 28
44.4 %
Grampian 28
44.4 %
Ranger 28
55.0 %
S2 86
Spirit 28 Finch
42.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Cape 28 ★
Aloha 28
20.6
Grampian 28
Ranger 28
S2 86
24.2
Spirit 28 Finch
20.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Cape 28 ★
Aloha 28
2.00
Grampian 28
Ranger 28
S2 86
1.94
Spirit 28 Finch
2.10
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Cape 28 ★
335
Aloha 28
204
Grampian 28
209
Ranger 28
222
S2 86
Spirit 28 Finch
253
Hull Speed
Cape 28 ★
Aloha 28
6.6 kts
Grampian 28
Ranger 28
S2 86
6.4 kts
Spirit 28 Finch
6.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Cape 28 ★
Aloha 28
2.6
Grampian 28
Ranger 28
S2 86
1.7
Spirit 28 Finch
2.1
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