Arrow 1280-S Buyer's Guide
If you prize sailing speed, light-air agility, and a lean, purposeful cruising platform, the Arrow 1280-S demands attention on the used market. Conceived as a performance variant of the Arrow catamaran line, the 1280-S trades interior volume for lower-volume, slimmer hulls and a longer waterline, putting a premium on covering miles quickly rather than carrying every creature comfort. With a light displacement of roughly 9,900 pounds, daggerboards, and a sail area/displacement ratio above 36, this 41.99-footer is a sailor’s catamaran first.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin layouts are the more common find on the used market, though both are available; ex-charter examples are common. Match the layout and service history to your intended use.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The Arrow 1280-S often reaches the market with a thorough inventory. Downwind sails are a strong suit: spinnakers, gennakers, and asymmetric spinnakers are commonly fitted. Lithium battery banks, an inverter, and a modern electronics suite that includes radar and a chartplotter are commonly fitted, along with electric winches. AIS and autopilot are often seen. Less commonly found, but a frequent owner addition, are self-tacking jibs and dinghy davits.
What to Inspect
A pre-purchase survey must account for the 1280-S’s design priorities and the potential variability of build quality. Because the model was available as a kit for owner construction, no two examples are exactly alike; a surveyor should carefully examine laminate consistency, bonding of bulkheads and furniture, and the general standard of finish, particularly on home-completed boats.
On the water, the boat’s performance is a telling diagnostic. One owner reported his 1280-S sails at approximately wind speed at most normal angles, tacking through 90–95 degrees while making 9.5–10 knots in a decent breeze. A boat that fails to demonstrate this light-air liveliness may have a fouled bottom, improper rig tune, or an overloaded condition.
A rotating carbon mast, where fitted, demands scrutiny. One owner’s rotating carbon mast came from Current Marine; such rigs require inspection of the mast step, bearings, and track, as well as the integrity of the carbon laminate at all attachment points. Also examine the daggerboard trunks, hulls, and rudders for signs of stress, given the slim, low-volume hulls that define the 1280-S’s performance envelope.
Availability and Buyer’s Takeaway
The pre-owned market is concentrated in the United States. Ex-charter examples are common on the used market. When evaluating a candidate, keep the following checklist in mind:
- Verify that the layout and equipment tally with your cruising plans.
- During sea trial, confirm the boat achieves wind-speed sailing and crisp tacking angles, indicative of a well-tuned rig and clean underbody.
- Closely survey the rotating carbon mast (where fitted) and associated hardware, along with the daggerboard system.
- Assess build quality and any owner modifications, especially on kit-built examples.
- Factor in the commonly fitted lithium and electronics package; check battery health and inverter function.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Arrow 1280-S. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 5 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25 | 1 | $ 875,000 | — |
| Feb 26 | 2 | $ 977,000 | +11.7% |
| Apr 26 | 5 | $ 977,000 | 0.0% |
| Jun 26 | 4 | $ 799,000 | -18.2% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $ 977,000 | +22.3% |
Where they're listed
Arrow 1280-S listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 11.
Country view
11 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $ 977,000 | 11 | 6 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
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