The search results provide a good amount of information. I can now proceed to write the article following the specified structure.
Here's a breakdown of how I'll integrate the findings:
- Introduction:
- Catalina 28, introduced in 1991.
- A versatile sloop for comfortable cruising and ease of handling.
- Designed by Gerry Douglas and Catalina's in-house design team.
- Built by Catalina Yachts, known for practical, comfortable, and value-driven cruising yachts.
- History and Design:
- Launched in 1991, an "all new design for the 90's".
- Designer: Gerry Douglas and in-house team.
- Catalina's manufacturing ethos: "good boats" that are "straightforward, offer price for value, are solid and honest", employing a robust five-piece construction, 27].
- Variations: Catalina 28 MkII introduced in 1995, with a slightly widened aft hull section for maximized accommodations, and a taller mast option. The MkII also reduced exterior wood compared to the MkI. A winged keel version was also available with different displacement, ballast, and draft [1,.
- Sailing Performance and Handling:
- SA/D: 13.97 (from my calculation, also noted as 14.2 for fin keel model). This indicates a modest sail area to displacement ratio, suggesting a comfortable cruiser, not a dedicated light air performer, but still capable of good performance with a 150 genoa. It "sails surprisingly well" and "points well".
- B/D: 38.55% (my calculation and search result). This is a good ballast ratio for stability, making it "very stiff under sail".
- D/L: 274.4 (my calculation). This places it in the moderately heavy cruiser category, implying a comfortable motion in a seaway.
- Handling: "Easy to handle" and "surprisingly well". "Typically light steering, handling is steady and predictable." "Goes where you point it with no surprises.". It sails smoothly at hull speed in 15 knots of breeze under reefed main and jib.
- Accommodations and Layout:
- Interior described as having the "look and feel of a larger boat" with "nearly all the standard accommodations of a 35-footer".
- "Functional and comfortable" with a "clever design that is both inviting and convenient".
- Accommodates up to six people, offering a two-cabin layout.
- Typical arrangement: V-berth forward, head and galley aft. Spacious head with storage. Drop-leaf salon table accommodates six. Aft cabin expanded in MkII.
- Headroom: 6.00 ft (for MkII).
- Owner's Perspectives:
- Owners praise its solid construction, comfortable motion, and ease of handling.
- "Good cruising for two". Can be a bit tight for four adults on longer cruises.
- Strengths: Sails well, very stiff, has essentials like diesel, wheel, hot water, shower. "Impressed with the boat, it has held up very well.".
- Common issues: Some early Mk1 models had steering problems under power (pulling to one side) due to rudder shaft design, but this is described as "easily corrected". Older models might have original deck fittings developing leaks 7 - this is a general Catalina issue, not specific to 28, so I'll phrase it generally. Diesel fuel cap on stern was a design flaw in early models but later changed. Engine vibration at low revs was noted in some Mk1s.
Confidence Score: 5/5 - I have enough information from the, builder article, and search results to create a comprehensive article.
Strategizing complete. I will now generate the article.