Newport 28 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The hull is a solid fiberglass laminate, while the deck and cabin structures are cored composite, joined to the hull on an inward flange with fasteners run through a perforated aluminum toe rail. The original version carried a scimitar-shaped keel and rudder, but the 1983 models moved to more modern high-aspect appendages and became known as the Newport 28-II. That update also brought a single-piece fiberglass internal liner, an innovation for the series. The fairly round midship section and pronounced cabintop camber keep the deckhouse profile low, though at the expense of headroom away from the centerline. With a 7,000 lb displacement and a fairly high ballast/displacement ratio, the boat sits firmly enough, yet owners report that she is tender.

Rig and Handling

The Newport 28 carries a tall, high-aspect masthead rig with a fairly small mainsail and a large foretriangle, typical of C&C’s approach. Because the rig balances toward the bow, it may be necessary to rake the mast aft slightly to introduce a little weather helm. Most owners report the boat is very well balanced, and the original version typically sails to a PHRF of 192 as a competitive racer with a fair handicap. Practical Sailor found the newer deep-keel 28-II models are about six seconds per mile faster than the original under PHRF, and the deeper appendages clearly mark the later boat as more desirable. The trunk cabin is not excessively wide, allowing chainplates to be well inboard for a clean lead to the deck.

Accommodations

There is just over 6 feet of headroom on centerline over the main cabin, but it diminishes quickly away from that line due to the cabintop camber. Three basic interior arrangements appeared over the years: a galley along the starboard side of the main cabin, and two aft galleys (port and starboard); later models offered only the two aft configurations. The starboard-aft galley is the only layout with a stove and oven, but removing the starboard main bulkhead under the chainplates to fit a longer settee weakened the structure. Berth count is five: two forward, the port settee, a quarterberth, and the starboard settee, though only the V-berth truly accommodates two adults and the quarter berths are cramped. The cockpit itself is large enough for a six-footer to stretch out or four adults to sit comfortably.

Known Issues

Owner complaints center on finishing and structural water paths. Mediocre fitting of woodwork is common, as are leaking hull-to-deck joints—a flaw Practical Sailor notes has always been a common complaint at that connection. Cockpit drains are too small, through-hull fittings use plastic valves, and backing plates for hardware are often inadequate. One hard-racing owner found a large crack in the hull molding aft of the primary sheet winches on a new boat, with light visible through it; the crack had been patched over with auto body filler. That starboard-side galley layout’s bulkhead removal remains a built-in structural concession rather than a defect, but buyers should know it exists.

Equipment and Power

Originally equipped with the Atomic Four gasoline inboard, the boat has far more power than she needs. Diesel was optional until the 28-II, and many boats carry Yanmar or Universal diesels in the 11–18 hp range per owner reports. Engine access varies from awful to good by year; newer models gained a flush hatch in the cockpit sole directly over the engine, while early boats were very difficult until such a hatch was added. A tiller is standard, though a fair number were fitted with wheel steering as option or retrofit; the pedestal saves space but forces the helmsman to the transom where he cannot reach sheets, a serious shortcoming on a boat this size.

The Verdict

The Newport 28 is a good entry-level cruiser-racer offering a reasonable blend of performance and livability, with the 28-II’s modern keel and liner marking the more desirable iteration. The C&C pedigree shows in the rig and sheer, but the built-to-a-price ethos surfaces in woodwork and deck joints.

Pros