Morgan Out Island 28 Buyer's Guide
The Morgan Out Island 28 is a scarce 28-foot coastal cruiser built by Morgan Yachts from 1973 to 1976, with fewer than 100 hulls completed. For a shopper, that short production run means any example on the brokerage market is a small-needle search, but the boat's simple layout and forgiving nature make it a plausible first cruiser for sheltered water.
Layouts on the Used Market
Used Morgan Out Island 28s follow the original coastal cruiser plan: a V-berth forward, saloon settees, a galley down, and an enclosed head in a modest teak interior. The 50-gallon water and 30-gallon gasoline capacity suits short coastal hops. The compact fiberglass hull with fin keel and spade rudder draws 3.5 feet, a shoal profile that widens the range of anchorages a beginner can use.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The initial Universal Atomic 4 gas engine gave way to diesel repowers on many surviving boats. A buyer should treat a still-original gas engine as a deferred-maintenance item and a diesel conversion as a value add only if mounting and exhaust work look professional. Beyond the drivetrain, the boat's simple rig and hand-laid hull invite modest owner upgrades rather than systemic refits.
What to Inspect
Check the engine bay first: confirm whether the boat retains the Atomic 4 or carries a diesel, and inspect mounts and exhaust for corrosion or amateur joins. Verify the fin keel and spade rudder for ground-impact cracks or repair. Inside, look for water staining near the head and galley that would signal deck leaks in the modest teak interior. No structural or rig defects specific to this design are known, so a standard used-sailboat survey suffices.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
- Confirm original gas engine or diesel repower
- Inspect engine mounts and exhaust
- Verify keel and rudder for impact damage
- Check teak interior for leak stains
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
2 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oday 28 | 28.25' | $ 9,900 | 27 | 4 |
| Colvic Countess 28 | 28' | $ 10,487 | 23 | 3 |