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Hunter 28
 ·  Builder: Hunter Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1989
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Hunter 28
Photo: Ahunt / CC0
About the Hunter 28

Built by Hunter Marine from 1989 to 1994, this 28-footer represents the builder's focus on accessible cruising sailboats designed for coastal and protected water sailing. The fractional sloop rig with 398 square feet of sail area provides moderate power while remaining manageable for small crews or single-handed sailing. The wing keel configuration draws just 3.75 feet, making this boat well-suited for shallow waters and trailering, while the generous 10.50-foot beam maximizes interior space and initial stability. At 7,400 pounds displacement with 2,800 pounds of ballast, the Hunter 28 offers a reasonable balance between performance and comfort for weekend cruising and extended coastal passages. Hunter's reputation for practical, value-oriented designs is evident in this model's fiberglass construction and straightforward systems. The boat's dimensions and sail-to-displacement ratio suggest moderate performance characteristics that prioritize ease of handling over racing speed. The 18-horsepower engine provides adequate auxiliary power for maneuvering in harbors and calm conditions. This model appeals to sailors seeking an affordable entry into cruising, particularly those interested in exploring shallow bays, coastal areas, and protected waters where the wing keel's reduced draft becomes a significant advantage over deeper fin keel designs.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.01 ft / 8.54 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.17 ft / 7.37 m
Beam 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
Max Draft 3.75 ft / 1.14 m
Displacement 7,400.00 lb / 3,357 kg
Ballast 2,800.00 lb / 1,270 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 398.00 ft² / 36.98 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Wing Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Builder Hunter Marine (USA)
First Built 1989
Last Built 1994
Related Sailboats ["S2 86" · "Ericson 28 2" · "Precision 28" · "Aloha 85" · "Hunter 28.5"]
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For
High Keel
The wing keel attachment on Hunter 28 models uses a relatively shallow keel stub with bolts that are prone to weeping and corrosion. The wide wing keel creates significant leverage in a grounding event, and the keel-to-hull joint should be carefully inspected for stress cracks, soft spots, or gelcoat fractures radiating from the stub.
Medium Hull/Deck
Hunter during this era used a deck-to-hull joint bonded and screwed through an outward-turned flange covered by a rub rail. The rub rail fasteners and underlying joint frequently allow water intrusion, leading to saturated balsa core in the deck near the hull join.
Medium Hull/Deck
Hunter used balsa core extensively in the deck of this model. Areas around stanchion bases, cleats, and chainplates are particularly prone to core saturation because original through-deck hardware was often not properly bedded at the factory.
High Hull/Deck
The chainplate knees on this model are glassed to the inner hull liner rather than to a structural bulkhead. This tabbing can delaminate over time, causing chainplate movement under load. Inspect the interior liner around chainplate attachment points for cracking or separation.
Low Accommodations
Hunter's modular liner system used on this generation snaps or glues into place and is not fully bonded to the hull. This can result in the liner pulling away from the hull in areas, trapping moisture and making bilge inspection difficult.
Medium Rigging
The mast step on the Hunter 28 is deck-stepped on a relatively lightly built support structure. The compression post below the mast step should be inspected for checking, rot (if wood), or movement, as inadequate support is a known issue on this generation of Hunter boats.
Medium Engine
Boats of this era were typically fitted with a Yanmar 1GM10 or similar small single-cylinder diesel in a tight stern compartment with limited access. Raw water impeller and heat exchanger access is poor, and routine maintenance is often deferred, leading to overheating problems.

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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
 183
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
 16.82
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
 37.84
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
 233.97
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
 19.71
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
 2.16
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. 6.59 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
 2.32
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. 906.80 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. 16.88
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 35.00 ft / 10.67 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 37.50 ft / 11.43 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.50 ft / 3.51 m
SA Fore 183.75 ft² / 17.07 m²
SA Main 215.63 ft² / 20.03 m²
SA Total (100%) 399.38 ft² / 37.10 m²
Est. Forestay Length 36.54 ft / 11.14 m
Mast Height (DWL) 47.50 ft / 14.48 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 18
Fuel Capacity 18 gals / 68 L
Water Capacity 30 gals / 114 L
How It Compares

vs. Aloha 85, Ericson 28 2, Precision 28

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hunter 28 ★
28.0 ft
Aloha 85
28.0 ft
Ericson 28 2
28.0 ft
Precision 28
28.0 ft
LWL
Hunter 28 ★
24.2 ft
Aloha 85
24.5 ft
Ericson 28 2
23.3 ft
Precision 28
23.0 ft
Beam
Hunter 28 ★
10.5 ft
Aloha 85
9.4 ft
Ericson 28 2
10.0 ft
Precision 28
10.0 ft
Displacement
Hunter 28 ★
7 lbs
Aloha 85
6 lbs
Ericson 28 2
7 lbs
Precision 28
5 lbs
Ballast
Hunter 28 ★
2 lbs
Aloha 85
2 lbs
Ericson 28 2
3 lbs
Precision 28
1 lbs
Sail Area
Hunter 28 ★
398 sq ft
Aloha 85
395 sq ft
Ericson 28 2
411 sq ft
Precision 28
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Hunter 28 ★
183 s/nm
Aloha 85
—
Ericson 28 2
—
Precision 28
207 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Hunter 28 ★
16.8
Aloha 85
17.8
Ericson 28 2
17.2
Precision 28
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Hunter 28 ★
37.8 %
Aloha 85
40.7 %
Ericson 28 2
—
Precision 28
34.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hunter 28 ★
19.7
Aloha 85
20.6
Ericson 28 2
21.8
Precision 28
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Hunter 28 ★
2.16
Aloha 85
2.00
Ericson 28 2
2.05
Precision 28
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hunter 28 ★
233
Aloha 85
204
Ericson 28 2
—
Precision 28
201
Hull Speed
Hunter 28 ★
6.6 kts
Aloha 85
6.6 kts
Ericson 28 2
6.5 kts
Precision 28
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Hunter 28 ★
2.3
Aloha 85
2.7
Ericson 28 2
2.1
Precision 28
—
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