O'Day 28 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Below the waterline the boat is a moderate-displacement fin-keel design with an internally mounted spade rudder, and the hull and deck are fiberglass with cored areas typical of the era. Early boats were offered with a centerboard, later replaced by a shoal-draft fixed keel option, while a deep keel/tall-rig combo also existed for those wanting more bite to windward. The deck carries a raked stem and slightly reverse transom, and the rudder is wheel-controlled. At 7,300 pounds displacement with 2,350 pounds of lead ballast and a 10-foot-3-inch beam, the 28 carries a ballast-to-displacement ratio near 32 percent, which gives her the stiffness owners prize without making her tender-handed.

Rig and Handling

The masthead-sloop rig keeps loads predictable and sailhandling straightforward, a virtue amplified by a sail-area-to-displacement ratio around the mid-teens and a displacement-length ratio near 270. She settles into a comfortable groove around a 6.4-knot hull speed when pressed, and typical PHRF bases cluster around 198–204 depending on keel and rig. Owners regularly describe the 28 as forgiving, stiff enough for coastal slop, and happiest on weekend passages where predictability matters more than raw pace. The internally mounted spade rudder and moderate fin keel make her manageable in close quarters, and systems access is better than average for the vintage, which quietly supports that predictability by making the boat easy to keep sorted.

Accommodations

Inside, the O'Day 28 makes a strong case for its length. There is a beamy saloon for the size, an enclosed head, and a practical galley, while sleeping is handled by a generous V-berth and a proper quarter berth. Headroom is respectably near six feet on many examples, which lets a cruising couple or small family move about without constant ducking. The cockpit is deep and secure without feeling cramped, and wide side decks with sensible handholds make moving forward in a seaway a calm affair rather than a balancing act.

Known Issues

Chainplate and stanchion leaks can wet bulkheads and local deck core if hardware hasn't been rebedded on schedule, and forward chainplates, in particular, deserve a careful look. As with many cored-deck 1980s boats, through-bolt penetrations, portlights, and mast partners can leak, eventually demanding core repairs if neglected. Rudder moisture and play in bearings or the stock are not endemic but are worth inspecting. Original OMC saildrives (gas) are widely regarded as noisy, thirsty, and expensive to support, a real drawback on boats that left the factory with that propulsion choice.

Refits and Ownership

Many buyers prefer examples repowered with a small Yanmar or Universal inboard, which speaks to the market's verdict on the original gas saildrive and the ease of swapping in a calmer, simpler drive. Power was usually a small Universal diesel of around 11–12 hp, and the better-than-average systems access means a repower or routine servicing is less of an ordeal than on many peers of the same vintage.

The Verdict

The O'Day 28 is a sensible, well-mannered coastal cruiser that traded raw speed for predictability and livable volume. She is not a rocket, but her forgiving nature, usable accommodations, and straightforward systems make her a sound choice for a family stepping up to a 28-foot keelboat.

Pros