Mariner 28 Buyer's Guide
The Mariner 28 is a heavy-displacement fiberglass coastal cruiser built by Mariner Yacht Co. from 1977 to 1983, with around 150 to 200 hulls produced. For the shopper, she represents a traditional full-keeled 28-footer meant for extended coastal cruising and light offshore use, not a performance boat.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every Mariner 28 carries the same traditional interior plan: a bow V-berth, saloon settees, a galley, and an enclosed head, with 4 to 6 berths and about 6 feet of headroom. The boat's 9,000-pound displacement and 3,500-pound ballast sit beneath a long encapsulated keel, so buyers should expect a steady, roomy-for-size cabin rather than a stripped race interior. The arrangement suits weekend and coastal living, with the enclosed head and fixed galley as standard.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the brokerage market, a Mariner 28 will commonly be fitted with a dodger, radar, autopilot, and chartplotter, which together mean a buyer gets sensible helm protection, offshore-capable navigation, and hands-free steering for coastal passages. Beyond those, the boat's masthead sloop rig and traditional layout leave little need for elaborate owner additions; the standard sail wardrobe already includes a 115-percent jib and options for large genoas and an asymmetrical spinnaker.
What to Inspect
The Mariner 28 is built with heavy-displacement fiberglass and a long encapsulated keel. A buyer should confirm the integrity of that encapsulation and the general condition of the traditional interior.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Mariner 28 boats are found in the United States. For the buyer, the takeaway is a traditional, durable coastal cruiser with a forgiving keel and a balanced rig.
- Verify encapsulation of the long keel
- Confirm standard interior layout and headroom
- Check for commonly fitted dodger, radar, autopilot, chartplotter
- Expect moderate light-air performance, not a racer
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Mariner 28. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 1 row
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 1 | $16,500 | — |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westerly Merlin 28 | 27.06' | $ 17,026 | 28 | 4 |
| LM 28 | 28' | $ 25,212 | 20 | 8 |
| Cape Dory 28 | 28.1' | $ 18,000 | 15 | 2 |