28 hunter sailboat

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Full Chapter One

by David Pascoe

First impressions are often lasting ones, especially when they are negative impressions like my first experience with Hunter in the early 1980's. Back then I had been hired by an unfortunate Hunter owner who had a forty footer with a grid liner that all came apart, causing some serious structural problems. At the time, Hunter had just converted to the use of grid liners (one of, if not the first to do so) and were far from perfecting the method, once again proving my point that far too many boat builders perform their experimentation in their product line, at the expense of their customers.

After much haggling we finally got that straightened out, but when you see stuff like that, you don't soon forget. Your opinion of a builder is ever afterward tainted. So we weren't too surprised to see that Hunter had finally got the grid liner right in this 1991 model. While this is unquestionably a low price boat, overall it seemed to be fairly well built and there were no problems with the framing system at all.  

The interior has a complete fiberglass liner that is well executed.  With the mast stepped on deck, there was no sign of the structural weakness in the cabin to as is so often the case with this type of boat.We were also suprised to find that there were no significant leaks inside.   The deck is bolted on a horizontal flange joint with bolts every 3", but it couldn't be determined if the joint was glassed over since nowhere in the boat could the deck joint be seen. The decks and cockpit area seemed sturdy enough and there were no stress cracks anywhere on the exterior decks, except in way of the poorly designed bow pulpit leg bases where there was considerable crazing.

With the sole angled at 45 degrees and the standup space only 20" wide by 5' long, this is not exactly good design.

The interior layout, like most boats this size, attempts to cram too much into too small a space. Despite it's 10'6" beam, its pretty cramped inside, mainly owning to faux "aft cabin" that is just a cave behind the engine with a cushion on the floor. The cushions being vinyl over foam rubber, this might lead to a rather sleepless nights in warm weather. Like wrapping yourself in insulation. The aft cabin area cuts into the main cabin area, rendering it somewhat less than useful. In fact, judging from the pristine condition of the galley stove, icebox and other interior components, this boat looked like it had been used as a day sailor only. It was now going on its third owner in 9 years. After spending a few hours aboard her, we could understand why.

We can understand that because the sole in the head is above the turn of the bilge so that it is steeply angled and one can hardly even stand up in there. The ladies will love it since to sit on the head, you sort of have to fall down onto it because it is very low, not at normal height. Ouch! And the guys will love trying to stand up on the 45 degree angled sole.  The area is also a deep rectangle, making it very awkward to enter, altogether a terrible layout in my view. The entrance to the "aft cabin" is the same way with the steeply angled sole, causing your feet to slip every time you step on it. Add to this the fact that the aft-facing, U-shaped settee in the main cabin has a seat width that is too narrow to sit comfortably, and we think the overall layout is a flop. With a drop leaf table in the center, the only place anyone will sit is at the ends, rendering the main part of the settee rather unuseable. So the effective interior seating capacity is two. The only thing we found convenient to use was the galley area. The interior is under-scaled for anyone over about 5'6" and a trim build.

The hull-recessed swim platform is a nice feature on larger boats, but this boat is too small for it. Basically it just allows a swimmer to get aboard, but at the considerable expense of interior and cockpit space. Sacrificing two feet of space for a steeply reversing transom on a 28 footer is an unreasonable  price to pay for style in our view. One really nice feature was the bow anchor locker which is one of the few that we've seen that is well designed.

Yes, we recognize that you're not going to get perfection in a budget priced 28 footer, but you can do a lot better than this. Here we go again with the rigging going down through the deck right in the middle of the traffic pattern. Getting around the rigging is a real pain. That's because to keep the price down, they went with a 3/4 instead of full head rig, with extraordinarily light rigging with only single lowers. The uppers were only 0.20" and the lowers and wishbone backstay a mere 0.15" wire! Would you want  to sea in a boat rigged like that? Not me, no thank you. Time has made of me a believer in safety margins.  Every time a gust of wind would come up, I'd have to wonder if the rig was going to fall down. Yike!

This is one of the major problems of the so-called racer-cruiser. It is the ultimate compromise of everything that leaves you happy with nothing. You want to win races and cruise, but its poorly suited for either.

Nor will you likely appreciate the very small deck hatch that makes stowing a sail rather difficult but, then, this one had roller furling that, unfortunately, couldn't be tensioned adequately because of the lightness of the rig. Wishbone back stays are not exactly the best arrangement for roller furling gear. Going racing with roller furling? Don't think so.

Next, lets talk about cockpit design. It had the large 30" destroyer wheel, which is fine except you have to crawl over the seats to get to the helm. That's the price you pay for a large wheel in any small boat. But what really ruins this cockpit layout was the sheet winch islands which are shallow and steeply sloping outboard, with no horizontal surface. Okay, so it makes the winches more or less level when heeled. Problem is that when you're tacking, the boat is not heeled over so much, and the winches would be more level if they were mounted in the normal manner. But in addition to this, you no longer have any back support while sitting in the cockpit, so that you cannot sit on the leeward side at all without continuously hanging on for dear life when heeled over even just a bit. When I leaned back against it, it hit me right in the small of my back, making it very uncomfortable. My feeling was that the lack of any raised coamings to lean back against was just plain ridiculous. Sail boat cockpits tend to be uncomfortable anyway, but this is one of the worst I've seen.

Plus, this design has also created a steeply sloping deck section in way of the winch island that about wants to break your ankle when you step on it. With a Bimini top, getting in and out of the cockpit is something of a Houdini trick as it is on most boats. But constantly climbing over the lifelines because there is no life line gate there didn't improve my disposition much. The owner had to install a small aluminum step on the outside of the rail just to climb aboard. By saving a few dollars, you get to risk slipping and falling on your face.

A winged, bulbous keel? Ought to be fun trying to get unstuck when you  run aground in this one. Especially in mud. The bottom of the thing is shaped like a giant suction cup. A winged keel made of cast lead? Wow, what a great idea! Oh, well, maybe you'll have fun hammering it back in shape every time you run aground. Does that oddly shaped hunk of lead reduce resistance and makes it go faster, too? Not likely. But it certainly had the effect of making her unusually tender. You notice that the moment you step aboard.   Heading around a sharp bend in the river under power, the boat heeled over at least 20 degrees, which I thought was ridiculous. It may stiffen up under sail, but with a complete lack of wind, we didn't get to find out.  Fads are cool, until you find out that's all it is.

Unfortunately, there were other problems that continue to prove the point that very low cost usually translates to very big problems. It was not until she was hauled that we could understand why this boat sells at such a low price. The fiberglass content of the hull is about as little as it could be without falling apart. The hull bottom was so thin that it  frightened me. In just about any place there wasn't a frame, you could push in the bottom with your thumb. Tapping on it with a hammer, it would vibrate. In the unsupported aft quarters, it dimpled as easily as an oil can. Granted, there were no signs of immanent structural failure, or even stress cracks on the bottom. But everything I saw on this boat suggested that it hadn't been used much,  so I doubt that the hull has ever been seriously stressed.

Some people don't think that a weak hull on a boat is much to be concerned about. The attitude is that as long as it doesn't fail under normal conditions, then its okay. My view on that is that people who hold that attitude have never been out to sea in a storm. I've sail raced all over North American, and I've seen my share of hull failures, including some that have cost lives. In one case, a knock down with the spinnaker up resulted in the deck pulling right off the hull. In another, the hull side caved in when hit by a wave broadside. And these boats were built far better than the Hunter 28. Of course, many people rationalize by saying that they only go sailing on nice days. Okay, its you're life. But add to this the fact that this very thin bottom was badly blistered and you have plenty of reasons to take a pass on the Hunter 28.

The list grows a bit longer when we discuss the large soft spots found in the rudder, but we have no idea what's going on there, just that its getting a little mushy. We might surmise that like a lot of rudders, its just some fiberglass laid over a foam core, as a lot of cheap rudders are.  We can add to the long list of Yanmar diesels with flubber engine mounts that are so soft and loose that the engine does the Watusi when you start it up. An engine that won't hold still and oscillates by as much as 1/2" is going to cause damage to the drive system sooner or later. Start with rapidly wearing cutlass bearings and packing glands and graduate eventually to transmission damage.

There are no gauges for the engine, and the control panel is down near the bottom of the cockpit where you can easily reach it by bending over in a space where there's not enough room to bend over. Why builders continue to place the engine controls in locations like this just beyond me. I guess the scuppers will never get plugged up and that electrical stuff will never get wet. At the bottom of the cockpit. The plastic throttle level on the steering pedestal felt like it was going to break off in my hand, it bent so much. Then there is a   plastic fuel tank  held in place with packaging straps and steel clips that will rust and fall apart as soon as they get wet a few times. The boat comes with a Mayfair bilge pump that is smaller than most coffee cups, and the single, small  12 volt automotive battery is sure to keep it running for a long time. Of course, small boats never get big leaks, so why worry?  This is getting kind of sad, isn't it?

Anyone who peruses the various sailing publications these days can't help but notice the inordinate number of boats that are either breaking apart or being dismasted, as well as the increasing number of fatalities. Instead of using the word dismasted, which implies the connotation of some external force as the cause of the dismasting, perhaps I should just say "masts falling down." Far too many of these dismastings ARE simply a matter of ultralight rigs toppling over because the designer pushed the safety margin to the limits, or beyond. Its not the weather conditions that were the cause; no, its hot shot design that pushes the bounds of sensibility. Far too many rudders and keels are falling off, deck joints separating and hulls splitting open. The average weekend sailor, lacking much heavy weather experience, has no idea of the terror he may be in for when he makes the mistake of venturing far from shore in what is nothing more than a day sailor. Those of you who get ideas about "bluewater voyaging" in a bargain boat like this would do well to reconsider that the ocean remains a dangerous place.

This could have been a nice, well-made boat. Parts of it are, but the builder didn't have his priorities straight. If all you're going to do is sail around the pond on balmy days, its probably fine for that. A serious deep water sailor she's not.  This is a price boat, and there's altogether too much that you don't get for what you don't pay, for any serious sailor to take the Hunter 28 seriously. There's a good reason why first impressions should be taken seriously, too. What you don't pay for up front will surely be heavily loaded on the back end. Count on it.

If  you wonder why people are leaving sailing like the plague just arrived, possibly this boat offers some reasons. There are too many just like it.

Posted August 1, 1998

David Pascoe - Biography

David Pascoe is a second generation marine surveyor in his family who began his surveying career at age 16 as an apprentice in 1965 as the era of wooden boats was drawing to a close.

Certified by the National Association of Marine Surveyors in 1972, he has conducted over 5,000 pre purchase surveys in addition to having conducted hundreds of boating accident investigations, including fires, sinkings, hull failures and machinery failure analysis.

Over forty years of knowledge and experience are brought to bear in following books. David Pascoe is the author of:

• " Mid Size Power Boats " (2003)
• " Buyers’ Guide to Outboard Boats " (2002)
• " Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats " (2001, 2nd Edition - 2005)
• " Marine Investigations " (2004).

In addition to readers in the United States, boaters and boat industry professionals worldwide from nearly 80 countries have purchased David Pascoe's books, since introduction of his first book in 2001.

In 2012, David Pascoe has retired from marine surveying business at age 65.

On November 23rd, 2018, David Pascoe has passed away at age 71.

Biography - Long version

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Posted 2024-08-06 18:57

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Hunter 28.5 Racer/Cruiser Sailboat - $8,995 (Wickford RI)

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Hunter 28.5 Racer/Cruiser Sailboat - boats - by owner - marine sale...

If you are looking for a classic and elegant sailboat, look no further than this1988 Hunter 28.5 Sabre with a two brand new sailes and a powerful Yanmar 2GM20F Marine Diesel Engine. Blue Sella is...

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The Hunter 28.5 Sailboat

The lack of a backstay on this Hunter 28.5 sailboat tells us that it sports a B&R (Lars Bergström and Sven Ridder) rig.

Published Specification for the Hunter 28.5

Hull Type:  Fin keel with spade rudder

Hull Material:   GRP (fibreglass)

Length Overall:  28' 5" / 8.7m

Waterline Length:  23' 9" / 7.2m

Beam:  10' 6" / 3.2m

Draft:  5' 2" / 1.6m

Rig Type:  B&R

Displacement:  7,000lb / 3,175kg

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:  17.5

Displacement/Length Ratio:  233

Designer:  Hunter Design

Builder:  Hunter Marine (USA)

Year First Built:  1985

Year Last Built:  1988

Number Built:  not known

Owners Association:   The Hunter Association

Published Design Ratios for the Hunter 28.5

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 17.5

Ballast/Displacement Ratio:  42.9

Displacement/Length Ratio:  233

Comfort Ratio: 18.8

Capsize Screening Formula:   2.2

read more about these all-revealing numbers...

Summary Analysis of Published Design Ratios for the Hunter 28.5

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 17.5 suggests that the Hunter 28.5 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 42.9 means that the Hunter 28.5 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 233, tells us the Hunter 28.5 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 18.8 suggests that crew comfort of a Hunter 28.5 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness. 

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 2.2 indicates that a Hunter 28.5 would not be the wisest choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making owing to the lower resistance to capsize in strong winds and heavy seas that is associated with similar sailboats with a CSF of 2.0 and above.

More about the Hunter 28.5...

The Hunter 28.5 is rigged as a sloop with a split backstay and a B&R rig, which means that it has no backstay and uses swept-back spreaders to support the mast. The mast is deck-stepped and has a height of 12.6m (41.33 ft) above the waterline. The sail area is 36.9m² (397 sq ft), with a mainsail of 16m² (172 sq ft) and a genoa of 21m² (226 sq ft).

The boat is powered by an inboard diesel engine with a power of around 15 hp. The fuel tank has a capacity of 42 l (11 gal) and the water tank has a capacity of 102 l (27 gal).

The boat has a hull speed of 7.4 kn (8.5 mph) and a PHRF rating of around 180, which means that it is moderately fast and competitive in its class.

Accommodation The Hunter 28.5 has a spacious and comfortable interior that can accommodate up to six people. The layout consists of:

• A V-berth cabin forward with storage lockers and shelves.
• A head compartment to port with a marine toilet, sink, shower, and storage.
• A hanging locker to port aft of the head.
• A saloon with a U-shaped dinette to port that converts into a double berth, and a settee to starboard that can be used as a single berth.
• A navigation station to starboard aft of the settee with a chart table, electrical panel, and instruments.
• A galley to port aft of the dinette with a two-burner stove, sink, icebox, and storage.
• A private aft cabin to port with a double berth and storage.

The boat has plenty of natural light and ventilation from several opening ports and hatches. The cabin sole is made of teak and holly wood, which adds warmth and elegance to the interior.

Hull and Deck The Hunter 28.5 has a fiberglass hull and deck with wood trim. The hull shape is round-bottomed with a raked stem and a reverse transom. The keel is either a fixed fin keel or an optional shoal draft wing keel, both made of lead. The rudder is an internally-mounted spade-type rudder that is controlled by a wheel in the cockpit.

The deck is wide and flat, with non-skid surfaces for safety and ease of movement. The cockpit is large and comfortable, with high coamings, cushioned seats, and storage lockers. The helm station has an instrument pod, engine controls, compass, and cup holders.

The deck hardware includes two self-tailing two-speed jib sheet winches, two halyard winches on the cabin top, traveler on the arch above the companionway, genoa tracks and cars on the side decks, bow pulpit, stern rail, stanchions, lifelines, anchor roller, anchor locker, cleats, chocks, handrails, swim ladder, etc.

The boat comes standard with a 110% genoa on roller furling system and a mainsail with two reef points on lazy jack system.

The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.

Other sailboats in the Hunter range include:

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• Sailboat Guide

1987 Hunter 28.5

• Description

Seller's Description

Turn-Key Hunter 28.5 1987 Priced to sell, well kept maintained Great solid sailboat for new or experienced sailor. Dockage through Sept 2022, cradle included.

Equipment: New: Batteries x 2, Roller furler line, 2021 reupholstered Cabin cushions in grey marine vinyl. dock lines, anchor chain and line. Comes with: Compass, depth gauge, refurbished sails past few years, cockpit cushions, Head, galley, 2 cabins, Needs: New fuel gauge, Engine cockpit shut off cable

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Shoal draft/wing keel: 4’/1.21m

This listing is presented by SailboatListings.com . Visit their website for more information or to contact the seller.

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Hunter 28.5? good or bad

• Thread starter robert gallagher
• Start date Jul 5, 2006
• Forums for All Owners
• Destinations

robert gallagher

My 1st mate and I currently sail a 1981 Cat22 swing keel in a Texas lake. We decideded to super-size and have been looking at all of our options for the past 6 months. The money will be right by August, we are starting to consider a boat size and we will be putting our boat up for sale. We saw a Hunter 28.5 and thought this might fit the bill.I wanted to ask on this site for opinions / thoughts / reviews from other boat owners. This, I hope, will shed some light on some issues for us to consider (if there are any). Our plan is to get comfortable with a boat this size before going for something to take us to the coast, to Florida, and the Keys (10 year plan).Thanks for any insight.RObert  

Stu Jackson

Go to the top of this page, Boat Info and go to Owner's Reviews  

Hunter 29.5 Robert - Like Stu said, you can get a wealth of information from the owner reviews. We had a similiar path/plan. We started chartering a 22 Capri for a year, then made the plunge for our current h29.5. I had looked at the 28.5 and very similiar boat. Our plan is to keep her for 5-8 years (three years have already gone by) and move up to something in the 35-36 size. Eventually move onto the 41 foot size for our retirement.We like the 29.5 for the Chesapeake. The 4 ft draft works well in this area and when it is the admiral and I (plus dog) we have spend a week at a time on the hook cruising around.  

Get the Hunter 28 Much newer and nicer boat that doesn't cost much more. The 28.5 are too old to consider for purchase in my eyes.  

Warren Milberg

I personally think That the Hunter 28.5 is one of the best kept secrets in the used boat market. I have a 1986 model and love it. As indicated, there are over 50 owner reviews of this model boat on this site. I don't think you'll find many who don't like the boat. And here is a short list of likes/dislikes I recently sent to the H28.5 website: What I like best about my Hunter 28.5:- Good looks- Great sailing performance- Easy to single hand- Low purchase price (very competitive on east coast)- Fairly easy to maintain- A very reliable Yanmar diesel- Big enough for small family cruising- "Just enough" boatWhat I like least about my Hunter 28.5:- Iron keel (although not a big deal)- Foss Foam rudder- Somewhat tender (also not a biggie)- Expected low resale value- No suitable drain under engine for stuffing box- Salon table takes up too much cabin space- Difficult to access upper rear of engine  

draft I don't know what the draft is on the 28.5 but if Florida is on the horizon it should be a big deciding factor. The closer to 4 feet the better. I looked at a couple of 28.5's a few years ago but I couldn't find one in very good condition so I passed on the model. I agree with the previous posts, a lot of bang for the buck. Good luck, Jack  

Graduation to the final cruser Robert, Sounds like your head is on right.Owners review are a good idea, talking to owners, surveyors, and even boatbrokers, but on all forums there are folks that "live" there and answer all questions wherther they are qualified or not so take em with a grain of salt. Owning a Hunter qualifies one to answer this question but not all...A gradual increase of a yachts size is a tried and true method of getting your plan together to cruise.A Hunter is not a curising vessel for many reasons, but have they? Yes. They sail well, are eye-pleasers, comfortable, and roomy too. If in a bay or a close coatsal cruise it woul do fine, but if you want to get 'use' to your ultimate cruiser (a full keel yacht turns slower, and fetches differntly than a 'cocktail' yacht) why not look for one now?  

We love ours We got our 86 model 28.5 earlier this year and I love it. It is my first boat in about 10 years. My only other boat was a 14' Hobie Cat.The Hunter can be had for a great value. I like the wheel steering and inboard deisel. I mainly sail in Glveston Bay and may one day try a little near coast sailing adventure. This thing accomidates my family of 5. It has been a bit of work and I still need to fix the pressurized water system. The pump works but it has some leaks. If you can get one for around 10k I say go for it! You can see my web page here http://www.compassnet.com/mfeidler/splashpad.htm  

Had an '87model... and think it was one of the best boats Hunter ever built! Sold it and bought a 35.5 and almost wish I'd kept/moved the 28.5 instead. Absolute dream to singlehand, faster than most Catalina 30's with more useable space, feel of a 30ft.+ boat, beautiful lines, sails 6 feeds 4 and sleeps 2 better than any boat in it's class!!! I'd buy mine back and upgrade it in a minute. Oh yeah, I went 23.5, 28.5 and now 35.5...very natural progression. If you are on Cedar Creek Reservoir, this would be a GREAT boat. Ours was on Lake Travis.  

We've had ours for 14 years! I'll echo what Warren said in reply #4 above. we've had our for 14 years on Lake Michigan. We've cruised for as long as 3 weeks covering 400 miles which included crossing the lake (80 miles) twice, have gotten into some fairly heavy weather and she has taken great care of us. The 18hp Yanmar runs like a dream. We have the 4' (iron) keel. A little rust now and then but keep it painted and you'll be fine. She single-hands very easily, looks great and is easy to maintain. You could do a LOT worse and not much better! There's also a great website I've added below.  

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Hunter 28.5

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Our team of Precision Sails experts conducted extensive research on the web to gather information about the specific sailboat in question. We thoroughly scoured various online sources to compile relevant and accurate information for the boat owner. Our team carefully curated the information to ensure that it would be helpful and informative for the user. We understand the importance of having a deep understanding of your boat’s features, and our goal is to provide comprehensive and reliable information that will enable boat owners to make informed decisions about their sailing experience. By sharing our expertise and knowledge, we hope to empower our customers to get the most out of their sailing adventures.

All About Your Hunter 28.5

Rig specifications.

These are the specifications provided by the designers, but even from the factory, these boats may not be identical. The reason for this is that the sail industry often contracts manufacturing to different sources in order to achieve economies of scale. What this means is – your Hunter 28.5 may be more unique than you initially thought.

It’s important to note that boats are also frequently customized, so if you suspect that work has been done on yours, it’s best to take your own measurements. When ordering a sail, we will advise you if using the manufacturer’s specifications is appropriate, or if we require you to complete our own measurement forms.

I: 37.33 ft / 11.38 m

J: 12.08 ft / 3.68 m

P: 31.75 ft / 9.68 m

E: 10.83 ft / 3.30 m

Despite its compact size, the Hunter 285 is a highly capable sailboat that is designed to perform well in a wide range of conditions. As designed by the Hunter Design Team, the Hunter 28.5 sailboat sports a complex B&R rig with a split backstay. It has a mainsail area of 225.47 sq. ft. and a jib sail area of 171.93 sq. ft. This powerful sail plan is optimized for speed and maneuverability, as well as a deep keel that provides excellent stability and control.

The Hunter 285 features a sloop rig with a single mast, allowing for a familiar sail plan of a mainsail and a headsail, with the option of a spinnaker or genoa for an additional performance boost in light wind.

Performance

The boat’s sail plan is optimized for speed and maneuverability, with a high aspect ratio that provides excellent performance in a wide range of wind conditions. The boat is also equipped with a boom vang and adjustable backstay, allowing for precise control of sail shape and tension.

The Hunter 285 is also equipped with a reliable diesel engine that can provide ample power when needed. With its combination of speed, stability, and maneuverability, the Hunter 285 is the perfect sailboat for those seeking adventure on the high seas.

Design Features

The Hunter 285 is a compact, yet highly capable sailboat that is perfect for sailors of all experience levels. This design was first built in 1985 by the Hunter Marine Co. and was later revamped into Hunter 28 by the renowned naval architect, Rob Mazza, the Hunter 285 features a spacious cockpit and a comfortable, well-appointed cabin that can accommodate up to six people. One of the standout features of the Hunter 285 is its innovative design. The boat features a sleek, modern hull design that is optimized for speed and maneuverability. The boat also features a deep keel that provides excellent stability in rough seas.

The Hunter 285 has a displacement of 7,000 lbs and a lead ballast of 3000 lbs. And the LOA is 28.5ft with a beam of 10.5ft. The Hunter 285 also features a spacious cockpit that is perfect for entertaining guests or relaxing with friends and family. The cockpit is well-equipped with all the necessary sailing instruments and features a large steering wheel for easy maneuvering.

Cabin Layout and Amenities

The Hunter 285 features a well-appointed cabin that is both comfortable and functional. The cabin features a large V-berth that can comfortably sleep two adults, as well as a settee that can be converted into a double berth.

The boat also features a fully equipped galley with a sink, stove, and refrigerator, as well as a private head with a shower. The cabin is well-ventilated and features plenty of natural light, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long day on the water.

If you’re looking for a high-quality sailboat that is both stylish and functional, look no further than the Hunter 285. With its innovative design, comfortable cabin, and exceptional performance capabilities, the Hunter 285 is the perfect vessel for sailors of all experience levels.

Recommended Sails For Your Hunter 28.5

We would love to help you enhance your sailing experience on your Hunter 28.5. That’s why we have put together a list of expertly curated sail recommendations just for you. You can find more information about each sail and their specific uses by following the links to our education page.

You need a mainsail designed to give you the greatest mileage out of your vessel. Precision Sails’ custom designed mainsails come with all the standard options needed to get sailing right away, and custom options to optimize handling, performance, and shape.

Jibs, genoas, yankee cut, staysails, or working jibs, we do it all. No matter what headsail you need for you sailboat, Precision Sails’ team of sail designers will work with you to ensure your new head sail fits and performs for you. Our headsails come complete with all standard options required for the best performance and durability. Learn more about our available headsail options and customization here.

Downwind and Light Wind Sails

Sail downwind easily with your choice of our downwind and light wind sail options. We custom design and tailor every sail for your needs. Explore our symmetrical or asymmetrical spinnakers and code zeros, including what options are available for each.

Request a Hunter 28.5 Quote

Looking to buy a new headsail or mainsail for your Hunter 28.5? Request a free quote from Precision Sails for a new custom sail. Our team will work with you to design the perfect sail for you.

Thanks for telling us a bit about yourself and your boat. Our team will send you a preliminary quote based on information we have gathered from sailors similar to you.

We will give you a call in order to narrow down the options on your quote and improve the accuracy. If you want us to call you at a specific time, feel free to schedule a time on our calendar!

Thanks for telling us a bit about yourself and your boat. Our team will reach out to offer some suggestions and get started on finding you the perfect sail!