The Cavalier 28 stands as a definitive example of the "pocket cruiser" evolution that occurred in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Designed by the esteemed naval architect Laurie Davidson—whose later fame would be cemented by his winning America’s Cup designs—the Cavalier 28 was conceived to offer a more sophisticated sailing experience than the trailer-sailers of the era, without the high overhead of a 35-foot yacht. Built primarily in New Zealand and later under license in Australia, the model successfully balanced the requirements of a competitive club racer with the interior volume necessary for family coastal cruising. It remains a staple of the secondhand market in the South Pacific, prized for its robust fiberglass construction and a design pedigree that prioritized balanced helm response and upwind efficiency.
Cavalier 28 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Cavalier
- Model
- 28
- Builder
- Cavalier Yachts
- Designer
- Laurie Davidson
- Number Built
- 100
- Production Year(s)
- 1975 - ??
Below are the most recent Cavalier 28 sailboat listings (up to 10).
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| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 1 | $17,500 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | $18,643 |
Median Price by Country
Listings by Country
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina 28 | 28.5' | $25,000 | 28 | 4 |
| Westerly Merlin 28 | 27.06' | $17,565 | 23 | 16 |
| Contessa 28 | 27.67' | $9,462 | 14 | 6 |
| Cape Dory 28 | 28.1' | $17,500 | 13 | 3 |
| Sabre 28-2 | 28.42' | $15,000 | 11 | 1 |
| FarEast 28 | 28.18' | $43,536 | 10 | 3 |
| Pearson 28 (1975-80) | 28' | $13,450 | 10 | 2 |
| Jeanneau First 28 | 28.21' | $28,828 | 9 | 3 |
| Islander 28 | 27.92' | $6,000 | 7 | 0 |
| Cavalier 28 | $18,071 | 2 | 0 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | $18,643 | 1 | 0 |
| Malaysia | $17,500 | 1 | 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Cavalier 28 cost?
- The median asking price for a used Cavalier 28 over the past 12 months is $18,071. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Cavalier 28 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 2 Cavalier 28 listings over the past 12 months, with 0 listed within the last 90 days.
- Where is the cheapest place to buy a Cavalier 28?
- Malaysia currently has the lowest median asking price at $17,500, while Australia is the most expensive at $18,643 — a 7% difference.
- What are similar sailboats to the Cavalier 28?
- Comparable models include the Catalina 28, Westerly Merlin 28, Contessa 28. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.