As a coastal cruiser, the Catalina 28 has earned a reputation as a good first “big” boat. It’s affordable to buy and operate, easy to handle, and surprisingly rewarding to sail for a boat aimed so firmly at the weekend fleet.
Design and Hull Form
The hull measures 28 feet 6 inches and carries a substantial 10-foot-2-inch beam well aft, especially on the later MK II. Full bilges add considerable volume, reinforced visually by the broad reverse transom and ample freeboard. Above the waterline, the sheer is flat, the bow overhang moderate, and the sloping cabintrunk extends well into the foredeck. Dark portlights give the boat a distinctly vintage Catalina look.
Below the waterline, the forefoot is relatively shallow. The fin keel angles aft, with a balanced rudder tracking behind it. The standard fin keel draws 5 feet 3 inches and carries 3,200 pounds of iron ballast. The popular shoal-draft wing keel draws 3 feet 8 inches, is slightly heavier, and made the boat accessible to thinner water.
In 1995, Catalina widened the aft hull slightly to create a roomier aft cabin. This updated version became the MK II.
Construction
The hull is solid, hand-laid fiberglass laminate without a core. The deck and cabin are balsa-cored composites. Hull and deck meet at an overlapping shoebox joint that also carries the aluminum toerail; adhesives and mechanical fasteners secure the assembly.
Inside, marine-plywood bulkheads with hardwood veneers slot into molded fiberglass liners that form the interior structure. Fiberglass stringers stiffen the hull athwartships, and the iron keel is externally fastened.
One of the MK II’s quieter improvements was the elimination of exterior brightwork. Early boats had teak coachroof handrails, while later models switched to stainless steel.
Rig, Sailing Performance, and Handling
The Catalina 28 is a double-spreader masthead sloop, offered with standard and tall rigs. The tall rig stands 44 feet 4 inches to the air. Sail area-to-displacement is 14.21 for the fin-keel standard rig and 15.46 for the tall rig. Owners report that, under the working sail and a 150 genoa, the boat performs well even in light air.
The deck-stepped mast is well supported by fore and aft lower shrouds. Inboard chainplates allow tight sheeting while keeping the side decks easy to negotiate. Most boats lead all sail controls aft and have single-line reefing. The mainsheet traveler sits forward, over the companionway.
Owners describe a light helm, even when sailing hard on the wind. They also report good balance on a 10-knot beam reach, an ability to sail close to the wind, and a useful turn of speed off the wind. The boat remains stiff in a blow. It is not, however, an offshore cruiser.
Accommodations
The interior fits two genuine sleeping cabins, a spacious saloon, a full galley, a head with shower, and a navigation station into 28 feet. It offers more room than many 32-footers.
Forward, the good-sized V-berth is ventilated by an overhead hatch set into the sloping trunkhouse, where it catches air and sheds water. In the saloon, facing settees surround a centerline table that wraps around the mast post.
The starboard galley has a large sink, useful counter space, and usually a two-burner stove. Opposite, the head includes a shower. The deep icebox is under the navigation desk and awkward to reach.
Aft, an athwartship double berth lies beneath the cockpit and is entered from behind the galley. On the original boat, the cabin was ventilated only by a small port opening into the cockpit. The MK II’s widened stern made the berth slightly larger and able to accommodate two adults.
Cockpit, Deck, and Equipment
The T-shaped cockpit is a highlight, with an Edson 32-inch destroyer wheel and Lewmar 30 primary winches. Side decks are fairly wide, and Catalina was among the first builders to make double lifelines standard.
The walk-through transom and narrow stern platform ease access to a dinghy and the water. The boarding ladder folds up to form the stern rail.
Early boats had Universal M3-20 diesel engines, though sources differ on their horsepower rating. Later models received a 26-horsepower Universal 25XS. Engine access is excellent, but reaching the stuffing box requires taking the aft berth apart. Most boats have hot and cold pressure water.
Known Issues
Owners identify several practical shortcomings: an inaccessible refrigeration compartment, inadequate locker latches, batteries located in the stern, and poor ventilation in the aft cabin. Sound insulation also needs improvement on older models.
Some owners have reported gelcoat cracking and crazing, along with irritating leaks, including leaks around the pedestal base. Fine deck-gelcoat fractures at tight cockpit radii are common, as are cracks in the hull-deck joint caused by dock contact.
Verdict
The Catalina 28 is a sensible, roomy coastal cruiser that sails better than its pedigree might suggest. Strong factory support, an active owner network, and readily available parts help make it a straightforward step up from a smaller daysailer.
Pros
- Spacious interior with two genuine cabins and more room than many 32-footers
- Easy, well-balanced handling, with a light helm and good light-air performance
- Strong factory support, an active owner group, and readily available parts
- Walk-through transom, T-shaped cockpit, and excellent engine access
Cons
- Poor aft-cabin ventilation and awkward access to the icebox and refrigeration compartment
- Gelcoat cracking at deck corners and hull-deck joint cracks caused by dock contact
- Stuffing-box access requires dismantling the aft berth
- Not suited to offshore cruising
