Islander 28 Buyer's Guide
The Islander 28 is a Robert Perry-designed 28-foot masthead sloop built by Islander / Tradewind Yachts from 1975 through 1985. On the used market she presents as a compact cruiser-racer with a 5-foot fin keel and a 43 percent ballast ratio that marks her as a light, IOR-shaped coastal boat rather than a heavy voyager. Buyers should weigh her lively handling against a tight interior and modest tankage.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every Islander 28 follows the same interior plan, so condition and owner updates matter more than configuration. Below the large companionway, the galley is to port with a two-burner stove, deep icebox, and single cold-water sink; the head sits opposite with a marine toilet and louvered access to its through-hulls. A port settee makes a single berth, the starboard settee converts to a double, and a quarter berth lies aft. The V-berth forward is short, shorter to port, with cushion sections over storage. The boat was delivered with a flexible bladder-style holding tank housed under the starboard settee. Cockpit space suits two comfortably, four tightly, with a roomy port locker that also reaches the electrical panel back.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Autopilots are often seen on brokerage boats, a useful addition given the tiller steering and the attention she needs downwind. A dodger and chartplotter appear as occasional owner upgrades rather than standard fit, and a short-handed sail-handling setup — typically single-line reefing with a Lazy Jack system — is likewise a sometimes-seen modification that eases reefing near 15 knots. Buyers should verify any such rig additions were properly installed, as they are not uniform across the fleet.
What to Inspect
Specific items deserve a look. The hanging locker drains to the bilge, so check for past leakage marks at its base and the adjacent sole. The flexible bladder used originally for the holding tank under the starboard settee; confirm any replacement and inspect the area for odor or staining. The V-berth cushion sections access storage and a front panel exposes wiring, so test panel closure and wire condition. The galley sink through-hull is easy to reach, yet still verify seacock operation and the head through-hull accessed via its louvered door.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Islander 28s are found in the United States market. For a shopper, the checklist is brief: confirm the tender IOR hull suits your sailing; inspect the bladder-holding-tank space and bilge drainage from the hanging locker; test the companionway steps as engine access; and check whether an autopilot or short-handed rigging is fitted to your taste. She is a well-accessed, pretty Perry small boat best bought for two-person coastal sailing.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Islander 28. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 7 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25 | 1 | $1,950 | — |
| Jun 25 | 2 | $5,500 | +182.1% |
| Aug 25 | 2 | $5,300 | -3.6% |
| Sep 25 | 2 | $6,150 | +16.0% |
| Mar 26 | 1 | $12,500 | +103.3% |
| May 26 | 1 | $7,500 | -40.0% |
| Jul 26 | 3 | $20,000 | +166.7% |
Where they're listed
Islander 28 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 7.
Country view
7 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $12,500 | 7 | 3 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thames Marine 28 | 27.5' | $ 11,489 | 21 | 4 |
| Pearson 28 (1975-80) | 28' | $ 15,200 | 16 | 3 |
| One-Off 28 | 28.18' | $ 40,793 | 14 | 2 |
| Jeanneau First 28 | 28.21' | $ 26,597 | 12 | 3 |
| Islander 28You are here | — | $ 12,500 | 7 | 3 |