Cape Dory 28 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The CD28's interior follows a classic compact-cruiser arrangement that changed little across the production run, so layout surprises are rare. Forward you'll find a V-berth that converts to a double with a plywood insert, with the head compartment just aft to port and a wet hanging locker nearby. The saloon features a starboard settee serving as a single berth and a sliding port settee that extends into a narrow double, flanked by a drop-leaf teak table. The galley is tucked aft, with an icebox to starboard and a stove — originally alcohol, though many boats have been converted to propane — to port. Headroom runs to about six feet two in the cabin, adequate for most sailors given the boat's modest beam.

One meaningful production variation to track: boats built in roughly the first four years of production lack the bridgedeck that Cape Dory added to the cockpit mid-run. The bridgedeck meaningfully improves offshore safety and interior volume, so buyers with coastal-to-offshore ambitions tend to favor later hulls. Early and late examples otherwise share the same fundamental arrangement.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Used Cape Dory 28s commonly arrive fitted with a dodger, autopilot, and chartplotter — gear that reflects the practical reality of short-handed coastal cruising on an older boat. Biminis and some form of air conditioning occasionally appear on boats that spent time in warmer southern markets, though neither is universal.

The self-tending, club-footed jib that came standard from the factory is a point of ongoing owner opinion. Many find it ideal for single-handed sailing upwind; others find the trim limiting and replace it with a roller-furling genoa, citing better light-air performance and flexibility. A roller-furling headsail conversion is one of the most common upgrades you will encounter, and it changes the character of the rig noticeably. Solar panels represent a frequent owner upgrade on boats that have seen liveaboard or extended-cruise use. Occasionally you will find a spinnaker or cruising chute rigged for downwind sailing, and AIS transponders and electric winches appear on well-equipped examples, though these remain less common.

The Volvo two-cylinder diesel that came in original boats has a reputation for being effective but loud and rough-running. Many owners have swapped to quieter Beta Marine or Kubota diesels over the years, and a replacement engine in good condition should be viewed as a positive — provided the installation was done properly. Check the paperwork and ask about the upgrade history.

What to Inspect

Deck integrity is the first priority on any CD28 inspection. The decks are a fiberglass sandwich cored with either marine plywood or balsa, and water can find its way in through chainplate penetrations, fastening points, and hardware bedding. Walk the deck carefully and probe for any soft or spongy areas, which indicate moisture intrusion into the core. Stress cracks, crazing, and surface blistering near hardware are all telltale signs worth flagging before a survey.

The internally fastened chainplates are cast iron, which makes them prone to rust and corrosion over time. They are accessible from the interior, and any surveyor worth hiring will want to see them. Similarly, the jib stay features a bronze cast fitting at the stem that warrants close attention, as this fitting is subject to fatigue and hidden corrosion.

Boats built between 1974 and 1978 were fitted with plastic portlights that were of inferior quality; if the boat retains original ports from that era, replacement is likely overdue or already done. Verify which generation of ports is installed.

If the standing rigging is original, plan to replace it — the shrouds and fittings are oversized for the boat's size, which is a Cape Dory hallmark, but age alone makes replacement non-negotiable. Winches on older examples may be worn and in need of rebuilding or replacement.

Fuel tanks deserve scrutiny. Steel tanks can rust and weaken; aluminum tanks resting on a plywood base can begin to pit. Know what material the tank is and have it inspected or pressure-tested. The engine compartment is tight and access is limited, reached from below the companionway steps and through cockpit lockers — compression, leaks, belts, and filters should all be evaluated regardless of how recently the engine was serviced.

On early hulls without the bridgedeck, assess the cockpit drainage and the companionway sill carefully, as these boats are less protected from water ingress in heavy conditions.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Cape Dory 28 is widely available in the United States, with the strongest concentrations in the Northeast, Chesapeake Bay region, the Carolinas, and the Gulf Coast — markets that align with the active Cape Dory Sailboat Owners Association fleets. The boat is less commonly found in European or Pacific markets, though examples do surface on the West Coast. The owners association at capedory.org is an active resource for parts sourcing, technical questions, and community knowledge, which meaningfully reduces the risk of buying an orphan boat.

Before making an offer, work through this checklist:

• Hire a surveyor experienced with fiberglass vintage boats and ask specifically about deck core condition
• Confirm whether the boat has the cockpit bridgedeck (introduced mid-production run)
• Inspect the cast-iron chainplates from inside the cabin for rust and elongation
• Verify the age and material of the fuel tank and request an inspection or test
• Check the generation of portlights and confirm any early plastic ports have been replaced
• Assess standing rigging age and condition; budget for replacement if there is any doubt
• Test the engine thoroughly — compression, oil, exhaust smoke, vibration — and document whether it is original or a replacement
• Confirm the type of headsail arrangement (club-footed jib or furling genoa) and factor rigging preferences into your offer