Heard 28 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a Heard 28 means entering the world of the bespoke traditional cruiser. These are not standard production boats; almost every example differs because each interior was laid out by its owner. Built from a GRP mold of a Falmouth Working Boat and produced by Gaffers & Luggers of Tregatreath, Cornwall, the type rewards the buyer who wants gaff-cutter character without a one-size-fits-all interior, but demands a careful look at the specific hull on offer.
Layouts on the Used Market
The prevalent configuration uses the short coachroof with a saloon and forecabin. Headroom is six feet aft, tapering to 5 feet 11 inches forward. Expect two crossover berths in the forecabin and, in the saloon, a single settee to port plus a U-shaped settee that drops to a double. An occasional pipe cot can be rigged above the saloon double. Because layouts were owner-designed, buyers will see galley and heads positions vary, though the heads is commonly to starboard.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Used Heard 28s on the market commonly carry heating, solar, lithium batteries, a chartplotter, and Starlink, and a short-handed setup is typical. For the buyer, the meaningful clusters are power and energy — solar with lithium banks supports extended anchoring without engine charging — and navigation, where a chartplotter paired with Starlink gives modern route planning on a traditionally rigged hull. A short-handed setup matters most on a boat with a long bowsprit and gaff rig, reducing crew needed to handle her sail plan.
What to Inspect
The defining construction point is the heavily laid-up GRP hull with 15 oz per square foot glass on topsides and 24 oz on keel and ends, plus five tons of encapsulated steel ballast. Inspect the plywood-cored deck sheathing for any breakdown at fastenings, and confirm the keel-stepped or tabernacle mast configuration. Because engines are various 20 to 35 hp diesels, verify the specific installation and its service history rather than assuming a standard mount.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical markets are the United States and United Kingdom. For the buyer, the checklist is simple: confirm the individual layout suits your plans, verify the deck and encapsulated keel condition, and assess the specific diesel and electrical upgrades fitted. A Heard 28 is a heavy cruiser of traditional character, but only the single example can be judged.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Heard 28. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 4 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25 | 2 | $59,000 | — |
| Sep 25 | 3 | $59,000 | 0.0% |
| Apr 26 | 2 | $31,796 | -46.1% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $29,146 | -8.3% |
Where they're listed
Heard 28 listings appear across 1 country. United Kingdom has the most listings with 3.
Country view
3 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $31,796 | 3 | 1 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
5 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twister 28 | 28.25' | $ 14,891 | 16 | 3 |
| Cape Dory 28 | 28.1' | $ 18,000 | 15 | 2 |
| Stäheli Altnau H-28 | 26.94' | $ 13,198 | 13 | 2 |
| Shannon 28 | 28' | $ 37,500 | 12 | 4 |
| Heard 28You are here | — | $ 31,796 | 3 | 1 |