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Sunstar 28
Designer: E. Monk/R. Perry  ·  Builder: Spencer Boats  ·  First built: 1981
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About the Sunstar 28

A compact and capable cruiser, the Sunstar 28 occupies a practical niche for sailors seeking an accessible and manageable coastal cruising experience. Designed with the weekend sailor in mind, this 28-foot sailboat offers a balance of simplicity and seaworthiness that appeals to those stepping up from smaller dinghies or looking for an affordable entry point into keelboat sailing. With its modest size, the Sunstar 28 is well suited to sheltered coastal waters, inland lakes, and day sailing excursions, though experienced hands may find her capable of handling short offshore passages in moderate conditions. The boat's proportions lend themselves to easy single-handed or short-handed sailing, making her a popular choice for sailors who value practicality over performance. While detailed specifications on the Sunstar 28 are limited, her reputation within the sailing community points to a straightforward, low-maintenance platform that rewards attentive seamanship. For buyers researching an affordable and manageable cruising sailboat, the Sunstar 28 represents a solid starting point worth investigating further through sea trials and owner communities.

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 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 6,300.00 lb / 2,858 kg
Ballast 2,300.00 lb / 1,043 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 453.00 ft² / 42.09 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer E. Monk/R. Perry
Builder Spencer Boats
First Built 1981
Last Built 1985
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
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
21.31
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
21.6
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
1.95
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
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
How It Compares

vs. Aloha 28, Comet 860, Spirit 28 Finch

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Sunstar 28 ★
28.0 ft
Aloha 28
28.0 ft
Comet 860
28.0 ft
Spirit 28 Finch
28.0 ft
LWL
Sunstar 28 ★
22.5 ft
Aloha 28
24.5 ft
Comet 860
22.3 ft
Spirit 28 Finch
23.0 ft
Beam
Sunstar 28 ★
9.0 ft
Aloha 28
9.4 ft
Comet 860
9.7 ft
Spirit 28 Finch
10.0 ft
Displacement
Sunstar 28 ★
6 lbs
Aloha 28
6 lbs
Comet 860
6 lbs
Spirit 28 Finch
6 lbs
Ballast
Sunstar 28 ★
2 lbs
Aloha 28
3 lbs
Comet 860
2 lbs
Spirit 28 Finch
2 lbs
Sail Area
Sunstar 28 ★
453 sq ft
Aloha 28
373 sq ft
Comet 860
474 sq ft
Spirit 28 Finch
365 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Sunstar 28 ★
Aloha 28
195 s/nm
Comet 860
240 s/nm
Spirit 28 Finch
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Sunstar 28 ★
21.3
Aloha 28
16.8
Comet 860
21.6
Spirit 28 Finch
16.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Sunstar 28 ★
Aloha 28
44.4 %
Comet 860
Spirit 28 Finch
42.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Sunstar 28 ★
21.6
Aloha 28
20.6
Comet 860
20.7
Spirit 28 Finch
20.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Sunstar 28 ★
1.95
Aloha 28
2.00
Comet 860
2.07
Spirit 28 Finch
2.10
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Sunstar 28 ★
Aloha 28
204
Comet 860
Spirit 28 Finch
253
Hull Speed
Sunstar 28 ★
6.4 kts
Aloha 28
6.6 kts
Comet 860
6.3 kts
Spirit 28 Finch
6.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Sunstar 28 ★
Aloha 28
2.6
Comet 860
Spirit 28 Finch
2.1
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