Express 28 Buyer's Guide
The Alerion Express 28 on the brokerage market is a Carl Schumacher-designed daysailer built by Tillotson-Pearson in Rhode Island, with Herreshoff-inspired lines and a narrow, moderate hull. For a shopper, the appeal lies in a simple fractional rig and a fin-and-bulb keel refined by Garry Hoyt in 1994, rather than in cabin luxury. Knowing which layouts and upgrades are typical helps separate a well-kept example from a stripped one.
Layouts on the Used Market
Used Express 28s follow the original Spartan accommodation plan: a V-berth with a head tucked beneath it and an icebox top that forms the first step down into the cabin. The 8-foot 2-inch beam keeps the interior tight by design, so buyers should not expect cruising-style volume. The cockpit centers on a Harken traveler whose mainsheet leads forward to a barney post, a layout retained across the fleet.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market, a self-tacking jib is commonly fitted, and a chartplotter is likewise a common instrument. Electric winches are often seen as a power upgrade on these boats. From the factory, a Yanmar diesel was an option, and the specified auxiliary is a Yanmar JGM 10; a self-tacking jib with Hoyt jib boom remains the defining rig feature. Buyers should view the self-tacking setup and any chartplotter as standard conveniences, while electric winches signal an owner who invested in easier handling.
What to Inspect
The known defining features are also the ones to verify. Confirm the fin-and-bulb keel introduced by Hoyt is intact and that the semi-balanced spade rudder below the waterline shows no unusual play. Check the fractional rig with swept spreaders and the Harken traveler-to-barney-post mainsheet path for wear, since these are central to handling. The 2,000-pound ballast within 4,400 pounds displacement should be verified as original, and the 352-square-foot sail area consistent with the SA/D of 20.97.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The Express 28 typically appears in the United States market. For a buyer, the short checklist is: confirm the Hoyt jib boom and fin-and-bulb keel, verify the Spartan interior matches the original V-berth and icebox-step layout, and expect a self-tacking jib and chartplotter as common fittings with electric winches as a frequent upgrade.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Express 28. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 6 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 25 | 1 | $65,900 | — |
| Aug 25 | 1 | $60,000 | -9.0% |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $71,000 | +18.3% |
| Feb 26 | 3 | $57,500 | -19.0% |
| May 26 | 1 | $71,000 | +23.5% |
| Jun 26 | 2 | $69,900 | -1.5% |
Where they're listed
Express 28 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 6.
Country view
6 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $63,700 | 6 | 0 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
4 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contessa 28 | 27.67' | $ 9,399 | 26 | 10 |
| Thames Marine 28 | 27.5' | $ 10,576 | 22 | 8 |
| One-Off 28 | 28.18' | $ 39,182 | 12 | 1 |
| Alerion 28You are here | — | $ 63,700 | 6 | 0 |