Formula 28 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a used Formula 28 means chasing a rare British-built Stephen Jones design from the mid-eighties, with under 100 afloat and a strong light-racer character. Most survivors sit in home waters around the United Kingdom and Ireland, where the handful of boats change hands quietly rather than in volume.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Formula 28 is a 28-foot monohull with a fin keel and spade rudder, carrying six berths below an 8.2-foot beam. Her solid fiberglass hull and deck are straightforward, and the 5.58 to 5.88 foot draft dependent on load keeps her in the same marina class as shallower cruisers anchor. The 4,200-pound displacement and 1,823-pound lead ballast give a 44 percent ballast ratio, so the used buyer gets a stiff, low-mass hull rather than a heavy voyager.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
A spinnaker is commonly fitted on these boats, which suits the overrigged fractional sloop and the 135 percent genoa that lifts her sail-area-to-displacement ratio to 24.6. Beyond that, the only power item of note is the optional inboard Yanmar 1GM10 diesel engine; buyers should confirm whether a given example carries it, as the boat may be equipped without. Canvas and sail-handling gear, navigation, and comfort upgrades are best judged per listing, but the rig dimensions — 86.8-foot halyards, 68-foot mainsheet — are the practical baseline for any re-rig.
What to Inspect
The Formula 28 is built with a fin keel and solid fiberglass hull and deck, so survey focus stays on the usual glass and rigging wear rather than cored-structure faults. Her wetted surface of about 247 square feet and immersion rate of 715 pounds per inch are normal for the class; check the Yanmar 1GM10 if fitted for hours and cooling condition. A standard haul-out and rig check covers the bases.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats are found in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and with fewer than 100 built the buyer must be patient. Checklist: confirm the fractional rig and overrigged sail plan are intact; verify the Yanmar 1GM10 if power matters; inspect solid glass hull and deck for age wear; confirm spinnaker and genoa gear present; check draft and marina suitability at 5.6 to 5.9 feet.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Formula 28. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 2 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 26 | 1 | $5,243 | — |
| May 26 | 1 | $4,758 | -9.3% |
Where they're listed
Formula 28 listings appear across 2 countries. United Kingdom has the most listings with 1 (50.0%), followed by Ireland.
Country view
2 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $4,758 | 1 | 0 | 50.0% |
| Ireland | $5,243 | 1 | 0 | 50.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
3 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-Off 28 | 28.18' | $ 40,778 | 14 | 2 |
| Jeanneau First 28 | 28.21' | $ 26,593 | 12 | 3 |
| Hunter Boats 28You are here | — | $ 5,000 | 2 | 0 |