Hunter 28 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used brokerage market for a Hunter 28 means taking a late-1980s to mid-1990s American racer-cruiser that evolved from the 1985 Hunter 28.5 and ran through 1994. Built by Hunter Marine as a development of that earlier design, she is out of production now, but enough changed hands that she remains a recognizable name alongside the Catalina 28 and O'Day 28 when cross-shopping compact cruisers.
Layouts on the Used Market
The boat's interior is dominated by a 45-degree angled sole, which leaves only a 20 inch by 5 foot patch of true standup room. The advertised aft cabin is in practice a low cave behind the engine with a floor cushion, reached over the same steep angle that defines the head — where the toilet sits abnormally low and the floor rises above the bilge turn. The main cabin's U-shaped settee faces aft but is too narrow to use comfortably, and the complete fiberglass liner is generally well executed even if the spaces it shapes are awkward. A hull-recessed swim platform cuts into the reverse transom, and there is no lifeline gate, so boarding and foredeck movement differ from a standard 28 footer.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used fleet, a bimini and autopilot are commonly fitted, while a dodger and chartplotter often appear. Less frequent owner additions include a swim platform, cockpit shower, heating, and shorthanded sailing setups. For a buyer, the load-bearing items are the canvas (bimini and dodger shelter the awkward, coaming-less cockpit) and the autopilot, which compensates for the large 30 inch wheel and lack of back support when steering. A chartplotter is a practical add given the small factory deck hatch that hampers sail stowage rather than navigation, but the original plastic throttle lever on the pedestal remains a weak point regardless of tier.
What to Inspect
A marine survey of the class found the hull bottom badly blistered and the internally mounted spade rudder carrying large soft spots, so ultrasonic and tap testing of both belongs early in any survey. The bow pulpit leg bases show considerable crazing where poorly designed, and the engine mounts are so soft the Yanmar diesel oscillates up to 1/2 inch on start. Note also the very small deck hatch that makes sail stowage difficult and the absence of engine gauges with the control panel low in the cockpit.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats turn up across the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Given the rigging lightness, tender motion, and cabin planning faults, a practical shortlist before offer is:
- Survey hull for blistering and rudder soft spots
- Check bow pulpit bases for crazing and structural deck joint integrity
- Start the engine cold to witness mount oscillation and lack of gauges
- Confirm canvas coverage for the unsupported cockpit
- Verify autopilot and chartplotter function if relied upon for short-handed use
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Hunter 28. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 11 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25 | 1 | $9,000 | — |
| Jun 25 | 4 | $17,000 | +88.9% |
| Aug 25 | 1 | $14,995 | -11.8% |
| Oct 25 | 1 | $28,484 | +90.0% |
| Feb 26 | 2 | $16,000 | -43.8% |
| Mar 26 | 1 | $10,000 | -37.5% |
| Apr 26 | 4 | $24,900 | +149.0% |
| May 26 | 2 | $17,849 | -28.3% |
| Jun 26 | 4 | $16,400 | -8.1% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $15,000 | -8.5% |
| Sep 26 | 4 | $17,594 | +17.3% |
Where they're listed
Hunter 28 listings appear across 3 countries. United States has the most listings with 13 (76.5%), followed by Canada and Netherlands.
Country view
17 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $19,900 | 13 | 3 | 76.5% |
| Canada | $11,187 | 3 | 2 | 17.6% |
| Netherlands | $13,992 | 1 | 0 | 5.9% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
6 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter 33 | 32.67' | $ 59,900 | 96 | 21 |
| Catalina 28 Mk II | 29.42' | $ 32,900 | 68 | 14 |
| Catalina 28 | 28.5' | $ 25,000 | 39 | 5 |
| Hunter 28.5 | 28.42' | $ 12,500 | 26 | 8 |
| Oday 28 | 28.25' | $ 9,800 | 26 | 2 |
| Marlow-Hunter 28You are here | — | $ 16,760 | 18 | 5 |