Sunbeam 28.1 Buyer's Guide
Shopping a used Sunbeam 28.1 means looking at a 27ft 11in Austrian fractional sloop. She is a light, open weekender meant for lakes and coasts, and the used fleet reflects that brief: simple to handle, compact below, and often lightly equipped for day and weekend sailing.
Layouts on the Used Market
Buyers will find the 28.1 available with standard, lifting, or shoal keels, and the narrow 2.49 m beam makes her trailable behind a suitable vehicle. Below, every boat shares the open-plan layout with no partition between the forward berth and saloon, a fixed portside galley, and a starboard enclosed heads without a sink. Standing height is 1.65 m and berths run over 2.1 m; saloon settees fold back to add two beds for four adults. The large cockpit is the social space, and the saloon table can be carried out to use there. Some boats carry the touring pack with forward curtains, cupboards, and stowage bags.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
A self-tacking jib is commonly fitted, which keeps tacking simple for short-handed crews. Beyond that, the most consequential upgrades a buyer will meet are sail and anchoring additions: a genoa with tracks and extra winches, race sails, a furling gennaker with its removable pole stowed in the anchor locker, and the optional bow roller needed to anchor. Teak deck and race sails appeared on the tested boat as part of an upgraded package.
What to Inspect
The 28.1 has design choices worth checking rather than degradation modes. Confirm whether a bow roller is fitted, since anchoring requires it and many boats may lack it. Inspect the heads compartment for the intentional absence of a sink and judge if that suits your use. Verify the keel type on the specific hull, as standard, lifting, and shoal versions change draft and trailering weight. Look at the open forehatch and companionway seals for ventilation gear that should be intact.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Used Sunbeam 28.1s are typically found in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. For a viewing, keep a short list:
- Confirm keel type and draft for your mooring.
- Check for a fitted bow roller before assuming you can anchor.
- Verify the self-tacking jib and cabin-top winches operate smoothly.
- Inspect the open interior for the designed low headroom and no heads sink.
- Look at the forehatch and companionway for sealed, working ventilation.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Sunbeam 28.1. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 8 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 25 | 1 | $151,489 | — |
| Jun 25 | 1 | $123,943 | -18.2% |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $123,943 | 0.0% |
| Oct 25 | 1 | $137,614 | +11.0% |
| Nov 25 | 1 | $105,019 | -23.7% |
| Feb 26 | 1 | $84,015 | -20.0% |
| Mar 26 | 2 | $139,465 | +66.0% |
| May 26 | 1 | $130,894 | -6.1% |
Where they're listed
Sunbeam 28.1 listings appear across 3 countries. Switzerland has the most listings with 3 (42.9%), followed by Germany and Austria.
Country view
7 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $105,019 | 3 | 0 | 42.9% |
| Germany | $130,778 | 3 | 0 | 42.9% |
| Austria | $130,894 | 1 | 0 | 14.3% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
4 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 28.1 | 27.89' | $ 26,063 | 27 | 5 |
| One-Off 28 | 28.18' | $ 40,542 | 14 | 2 |
| Sunbeam 22.1 | 22.47' | $ 65,355 | 10 | 3 |
| Sunbeam 28.1You are here | — | $ 130,778 | 7 | 0 |