Hunter 280
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About the Hunter 280
Built from 1995 to 1999, this 28-footer represents Hunter Marine's approach to affordable cruising sailboats during the mid-1990s. Designed by the Hunter Design Team in collaboration with R. Mazza, the Hunter 280 offers a practical balance of interior space and sailing performance for coastal cruising and weekend adventures. The boat's fin keel with bulb and spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling while maintaining the shallow 5-foot draft that makes it accessible to more harbors and anchorages. At 6,500 pounds displacement with 2,100 pounds of ballast, the Hunter 280 strikes a reasonable balance between stability and performance, though it clearly prioritizes interior volume over pure sailing characteristics. With 428 square feet of sail area driving a 23.58-foot waterline, this boat delivers respectable performance for coastal sailing and light cruising. The B&R rig keeps things simple for easy handling, while the generous 9.63-foot beam maximizes living space below decks—a hallmark of Hunter's design philosophy. The comfort ratio of 19.81 indicates this boat favors motion comfort over pure speed, making it well-suited for relaxed coastal cruising rather than serious offshore passages. The 18-horsepower auxiliary engine provides adequate power for maneuvering in tight quarters and motoring in calm conditions.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
27.75 ft / 8.46 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
23.58 ft / 7.19 m
Beam
9.63 ft / 2.94 m
Max Draft
5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement
6,500.00 lb / 2,948 kg
Ballast
2,100.00 lb / 953 kg
Sail Area (Reported)
428.00 ft² / 39.76 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type
B&R
Construction
FG
Designer
Hunter Design Team/R. Mazza
Builder
Hunter Marine (USA)
First Built
1995
Last Built
1999
Related Sailboats
Parker 275 · Dehler 28 · Pogo 850 · Antrim 27 · Lancer 28
Owner Reviews
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Known Issues & What to Watch For
The lead bulb keel on the Hunter 280 is attached via a single cast fitting system that is prone to keel bolt corrosion and joint weeping. The keel-to-hull joint should be carefully inspected for cracking, rust staining, or movement, as early signs of failure can be subtle.
The deck-to-hull joint on Hunter 280s is an inward-turning flange joined with adhesive and covered by a rubber rub rail. This joint is known to allow water intrusion when the rub rail adhesive fails, leading to delamination at the flange. The rub rail should be removed or probed during survey.
The Hunter 280 uses a balsa-cored deck, and penetrations around stanchion bases, cleats, and chainplates are frequently inadequately sealed at the factory. Water intrusion into the core around these fittings leads to soft deck spots and core rot, particularly around the bow pulpit and stanchion bases.
The chainplate attachment on the Hunter 280 is bolted through a fiberglass shelf rather than a structural bulkhead, and this shelf is known to crack or delaminate under load. Inspect the interior liner near the chainplates for stress cracking or movement.
The interior liner system used by Hunter on this model is fully molded and bonded in place, making it nearly impossible to inspect behind panels for hull-liner delamination or hidden water damage. Moisture trapped between the liner and hull can cause long-term structural degradation without visible warning signs.
The rudder on the Hunter 280 uses a fiberglass blade over a stainless steel stock, and the blade is prone to delamination and water intrusion. Tap testing the rudder blade and checking for play in the stock bearings is essential, as bearing wear can develop significant slop affecting steering.
Factory wiring on Hunter 280s from this production era is known to use undersized wire runs and minimal chafe protection. Connections at the mast base and in the bilge area are particularly prone to corrosion and failure due to poor original installation practices.
Own or have surveyed a Hunter 280? 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
210
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
19.72
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
32.31
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
221.33
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
19.81
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
2.07
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.
6.51 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
2.31
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.
811.37 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.
15.59
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height)
31.50 ft / 9.60 m
J (Foretriangle Base)
9.42 ft / 2.87 m
P (Mainsail Luff)
31.67 ft / 9.65 m
E (Mainsail Foot)
12.00 ft / 3.66 m
SA Fore
148.37 ft² / 13.78 m²
SA Main
190.02 ft² / 17.65 m²
SA Total (100%)
338.39 ft² / 31.44 m²
Est. Forestay Length
32.88 ft / 10.02 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make
Yanmar
Engine Type
Diesel
Horsepower
18
Fuel Capacity
20 gals / 76 L
Water Capacity
40 gals / 151 L
How It Compares
vs. Antrim 27, Dehler 28, Lancer 28, Parker 275, Pogo 850
This boat
Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hunter 280 ★
Antrim 27
Dehler 28
Lancer 28
Parker 275
Pogo 850
LWL
Hunter 280 ★
Antrim 27
Dehler 28
Lancer 28
Parker 275
Pogo 850
Beam
Hunter 280 ★
Antrim 27
Dehler 28
Lancer 28
Parker 275
Pogo 850
Displacement
Hunter 280 ★
Antrim 27
Dehler 28
Lancer 28
Parker 275
Pogo 850
Ballast
Hunter 280 ★
Antrim 27
Dehler 28
Lancer 28
Parker 275
Pogo 850
Sail Area
Hunter 280 ★
Antrim 27
Dehler 28
Lancer 28
Parker 275
Pogo 850
Performance
PHRF Rating
(lower = faster)
Hunter 280 ★
Antrim 27
Dehler 28
Lancer 28
Parker 275
Pogo 850
SA / Displacement
(higher = more powerful)
Hunter 280 ★
Antrim 27
Dehler 28
Lancer 28
Parker 275
Pogo 850
Ballast / Disp
(higher = stiffer)
Hunter 280 ★
Antrim 27
Dehler 28
Lancer 28
Parker 275
Pogo 850
Comfort Ratio
(higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hunter 280 ★
Antrim 27
Dehler 28
Lancer 28
Parker 275
Pogo 850
Capsize Screening
(lower = safer)
Hunter 280 ★
Antrim 27
Dehler 28
Lancer 28
Parker 275
Pogo 850
Displacement / Length
(lower = lighter)
Hunter 280 ★
Antrim 27
Dehler 28
Lancer 28
Parker 275
Pogo 850
Hull Speed
Hunter 280 ★
Antrim 27
Dehler 28
Lancer 28
Parker 275
Pogo 850
Speed Number
(higher = faster)
Hunter 280 ★
Antrim 27
Dehler 28
Lancer 28
Parker 275
Pogo 850