Jensen Cal 28 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used market for a Jensen Cal 28 means looking for one of 347 finished examples, a design now out of production and fairly rare in captivity. Built by Cal Yachts in the United States between 1963 and 1969, with a licensed Canadian version from Calgan Marine in North Vancouver, the boat is an American sailboat of fiberglass construction with a masthead sloop rig and the distinctive fin keel and internally mounted spade rudder that made her a prototype for later Lapworth designs. She is a monohull of 28 feet overall, 9-foot beam, and 4.5-foot draft, displacing 6,000 pounds with 2,200 pounds of lead ballast.
Layouts on the Used Market
Because the original was a raised-deck model alongside the Cal 20, Cal 2-24, and Cal 25, the Cal 28 offers the volume that raised-deck styling allows in a 28-foot racer-cruiser. The factory described her as a small recreational keelboat with cruising provision for 28 gallons of water and 18 gallons of fuel, so layouts center on a modest forward and saloon arrangement served by those tanks rather than expansive cruising accommodations. Buyers should expect the period racer-cruiser compromise: space enough for weekends and short coasts, not a bluewater interior.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The most consequential factory option was a Universal Atomic 4 gasoline engine with a V-drive, and any buyer should confirm whether the example retains this original auxiliary or has been repowered. Beyond that single significant mechanical item, the available material leaves equipment general; the Canadian-licensed boats share the same core design, so regional differences are about condition rather than fitted gear. A used Cal 28 should be judged on hull integrity and rig originality before weighing smaller comforts.
What to Inspect
Inspection should follow normal fiberglass practice for a 1960s Lapworth hull: check the fin keel joint and the internally mounted spade rudder stock for past damage or repair, and verify the Atomic 4 installation if fitted. With only 347 built and the design out of production, a careful survey of the lightweight hull and original rudder is the best protection against a scarce boat's hidden history.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The Cal 28 is typically found in the United States, the market where Cal Yachts built the majority of the class. For a buyer, the short checklist is plain:
- Confirm original raised-deck fiberglass hull and fin-keel configuration
- Verify rudder and keel attachments on a lightweight 6,000-pound hull
- Check for the Universal Atomic 4 or a sane repower
- Expect rarity: 347 examples mean patience in the search
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Jensen Cal 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. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 25 | 1 | $4,000 | — |
| Sep 26 | 1 | $5,500 | +37.5% |
Where they're listed
Jensen Cal 28 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 1.
Country view
1 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $5,500 | 1 | 1 | 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' | $ 9,273 | 27 | 10 |
| Pearson 28 (1975-80) | 28' | $ 16,700 | 12 | 0 |
| One-Off 28 | 28.18' | $ 39,178 | 12 | 1 |
| Jensen Cal 28You are here | — | $ 5,500 | 1 | 1 |