Mirage 28 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The Mirage 28 is a conventional monohull sloop, and the layout seen across available examples follows the standard format for American production boats of its era: a V-berth forward, a head compartment to one side, a settee-and-galley saloon, and a quarterberth or open cockpit access aft. The masthead rig is typical across all examples; the design was not offered in a fractional variant. Because the hull is wider than many comparable designs of the period — placing it in roughly the upper half for beam relative to length among similar sailboats — the saloon feels reasonably open for the overall length. Buyers accustomed to narrower older designs often find the interior more usable than they expect. Standing headroom is limited, as it is on most production boats in this size range from the same decade.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Used examples of this vintage American production sloop tend to reflect decades of individual ownership choices, so equipment levels vary considerably from one boat to the next. Masthead instruments and basic VHF radio installations are a common baseline. Given the boat's slight tendency toward being overcanvassed relative to comparable designs, a roller-furling headsail conversion is a frequent owner upgrade — it smooths out the sail-handling demands of what is otherwise a lively, well-powered rig. Autopilots and chartplotters are common additions on boats that have passed through more than one owner. Outboard motor brackets or small inboard conversions appear occasionally; because engine horsepower was not specified from the factory as a universal standard, propulsion arrangements can vary. Running rigging in good condition is worth confirming, as lines on boats of this age are often original or close to it.

What to Inspect

The fiberglass hull construction used on the Mirage 28 is broadly low-maintenance, but boats of this production era deserve a thorough survey before purchase. Osmotic blistering beneath the waterline is a known risk on fiberglass hulls built before the widespread adoption of modern epoxy barrier systems, and a good surveyor will probe the bottom carefully. The fin keel attachment deserves close attention: keel-to-hull joint integrity can degrade over decades, particularly if the boat has been grounded or trailered. The masthead rig should be inspected aloft — chainplates, shroud terminals, and the forestay toggle are all serviceable fatigue points on a design this age. With a capsize screening value above two, the Mirage 28 sits outside the range accepted for offshore racing, which is worth understanding in context: this is a coastal cruiser, and its stability characteristics suit protected and semi-protected waters rather than open-ocean passages. The rudder and tiller fittings, being on a fin-keel boat with a separate rudder, are worth examining for bearing wear or play.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Mirage 28 circulates primarily in North American coastal markets, where boats of this type and vintage tend to remain in regional fleets for many years. It is not widely seen in European or Caribbean brokerage markets. Prices reflect the boat's age and production-era status, making it one of the more accessible entry points into a capable, well-ballasted sloop.

Before committing, work through this list:

• Commission a full out-of-water survey with particular attention to the keel joint and underwater hull condition
• Inspect the chainplates, standing rigging, and all masthead hardware aloft
• Confirm the roller-furling headsail system (if fitted) is in serviceable condition; budget for replacement if it is original
• Verify the rudder bearings and tiller hardware for play or wear
• Check all through-hulls and seacocks for operation and corrosion
• Confirm the running rigging has been replaced within a reasonable service window
• Test all navigation electronics and electrical systems, noting that wiring on older boats frequently needs upgrading
• Clarify the engine or outboard arrangement and confirm it runs reliably before closing