Ranger 28 Buyer's Guide
The Ranger 28 is a Gary Mull-designed Half Ton class racer built by Ranger Yachts under Bangor Punta from 1976 through 1978, with only 130 completed. On the used market it presents as a light, overrigged 28-foot masthead sloop whose scarcity rewards patient shopping and careful inspection of its known design limits.
Layouts on the Used Market
Two rig configurations appear among surviving boats. The early tall-mast version carries hull numbers 1 to 86 and rates a PHRF average of 183, while from hull 87 the tall-mast model gained a deeper keel and returned to a 180 rating; a standard fin-keel boat also shows 180. All share the 4.5-foot standard draft, 9.58-foot beam, and 13-gallon water capacity, so the meaningful used-market distinction is tall-mast versus standard rig and early versus later deep-keel tall mast.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
A chartplotter and autopilot are commonly fitted to Ranger 28s offered today, reflecting owner investment in shorthanded navigation rather than factory specification. The original Universal Atomic 4 gasoline engine of 30 horsepower remains the typical inboard, and buyers should treat any electronics beyond plotter and pilot as owner-added rather than standard.
What to Inspect
The Ranger 28's capsize screening value of 2.22 means the design would not be accepted in ocean races, so confirm the boat's intended use matches your plans rather than expecting offshore certification capsize screening value. Its Motion Comfort Ratio of 16.5 is firmer than 79 percent of comparable boats, a ride characteristic to sample on a sea trial rather than a defect to repair comfort ratio. Check the freshwater system against the 13-gallon specification, as the small tank limits extended cruising regardless of hull condition.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Ranger 28s are found in the United States, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
- Confirm hull number for early or later tall-mast keel
- Verify autopilot and chartplotter function
- Sample motion in a seaway before purchase
- Check water tank and plumbing for capacity
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Ranger 28. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 3 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25 | 1 | $9,500 | — |
| Mar 26 | 1 | $25,637 | +169.9% |
| May 26 | 2 | $4,200 | -83.6% |
Where they're listed
Ranger 28 listings appear across 3 countries. United Kingdom has the most listings with 1 (33.3%), followed by Italy and United States.
Country view
3 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $3,399 | 1 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Italy | $25,637 | 1 | 0 | 33.3% |
| United States | $5,000 | 1 | 0 | 33.3% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
5 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Rogers 28 | 27.67' | $ 9,710 | 30 | 11 |
| Hunter 28.5 | 28.42' | $ 12,800 | 25 | 9 |
| One-Off 28 | 28.18' | $ 40,783 | 14 | 3 |
| Islander 28 | 27.92' | $ 12,500 | 7 | 3 |
| Ranger 28You are here | — | $ 5,000 | 3 | 0 |