Design and Construction
Schöchl Yachtbau has built yachts in Austria for the last 60 years. The 28.1 continues that lineage with a solid fiberglass hull and deck.
She carries 809 kg of ballast against a displacement of 2,300 kg. The resulting 35.2 percent ratio is cited by the builder as a key to the yacht’s high stability. According to the manufacturer, that stability and the large cockpit make her a modern weekend sailor suited to today’s lifestyle.
Three keel configurations are available: standard, lifting, or shoal. With a slender 2.49 m beam, the boat can be trailed behind a suitable vehicle.
Rig and Handling
The 28.1 has a fractional sloop rig with a large mainsail and self-tacking jib. Cabin-top winches help keep sail handling straightforward, while the mainsheet runs from the aft deck to a point forward of the helm. This keeps it clear of the cockpit while leaving it within reach of either the crew or helmsman.
Test sailors found the short tiller light and responsive, and reported that the boat turned quickly, without effort or hesitation. She has the immediate reactions of a big dinghy, responding to every twitch of the tiller, yet one person can handle her easily.
Standard Dacron sails are fitted. Owners looking for more performance can add a genoa, tracks, extra winches, and race sails. A 48 m² furling gennaker sets easily, and its removable pole stows in the anchor locker.
Accommodations
Below deck, the 28.1 has an open-plan interior with no partition between the forward sleeping area and the saloon. The finish is neat, light, and well made. The manufacturer describes the layout as bright, spacious, and airy, with 1.65 m standing height and berths longer than 2.1 m.
Yachting Monthly notes that the boat doesn’t offer true standing headroom or a sink in the heads. Both are deliberate choices rather than omissions. Natural light enters through the coachroof windows, acrylic companionway hatch, and flush, curved forehatch; the forehatch also provides good ventilation.
The fixed galley to port is intended for short holidays. To starboard, the enclosed toilet compartment provides privacy and additional storage. The saloon berths fold back to create two extra beds, giving the boat sleeping space for four adults in total. The saloon table can also be used in the cockpit, which is large enough for occupants to relax horizontally.
Limitations and Options
The Sunbeam’s known constraints are design choices rather than failures. The interior lacks standing headroom, and the heads compartment has no sink. Reviewers accepted both as intentional compromises.
The standard specification also omits a bow roller, so anchoring requires the optional fitting. These are specification limits, not degradation modes.
Verdict
The Sunbeam 28.1 is a coherent small cruiser that punches above her length for single-handed fun and family weekends. She’s light on her feet, easy to drive, and open below without pretense. The trade-offs are real but honest: low headroom, a minimal heads compartment, and the need to fit the anchoring option.
Pros
- Light, responsive helm with a big-dinghy feel
- Self-tacking jib and cabin-top winches simplify short-handed sailing
- Bright, open interior with berths for four and good ventilation
- Narrow, trailable beam and a choice of keels for different water depths
Cons
- No standing headroom or sink in the heads by design
- Bow roller and anchoring gear are optional rather than standard
- Better suited to inland and coastal sailing than offshore passages
