The Westerly Merlin 28, introduced in 1984, represented a significant shift in design philosophy for the prolific British builder Westerly Marine Construction. Commissioned to replace the aging fleet of smaller cruisers, the Merlin was penned by the renowned naval architect Ed Dubois. Unlike the sturdier, slower designs of the 1970s, the Merlin 28 aimed to blend the builder’s hallmark interior volume with the more sophisticated hull lines and improved windward performance associated with Dubois's racing pedigree. The model enjoyed a successful production run until approximately 1992, eventually evolving into the Merlin 29. While the brand "Westerly" is often associated with the custom composite builder in Santa Ana, California, in the context of high-performance racing, the Merlin 28 is firmly a product of the UK-based production era that dominated the European family cruising market for decades.
Westerly Merlin 28 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Westerly
- Model
- Merlin 28
- Builder
- Westerly Marine Ltd.
- Designer
- Ed Dubois
- Number Built
- 151
- Production Year(s)
- 1984 - 1990
Below are the most recent Westerly Merlin 28 sailboat listings (up to 10).
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| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | 3 | $18,920 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | $26,498 |
| Nov 2025 | 1 | $13,518 |
| Jan 2026 | 3 | $14,871 |
| Feb 2026 | 4 | $20,786 |
| Mar 2026 | 6 | $16,862 |
| Apr 2026 | 5 | $8,787 |
Median Price by Country
Listings by Country
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina 28 | 28.5' | $25,000 | 28 | 4 |
| Westerly Merlin 28 | $17,568 | 23 | 16 | |
| Hunter 28.5 | 28.42' | $12,750 | 22 | 7 |
| Marlow-Hunter 28 | 28.01' | $17,274 | 12 | 6 |
| Tartan 28 | 28.25' | $23,250 | 10 | 3 |
| Jeanneau First 28 | 28.21' | $28,854 | 9 | 3 |
| Mirage 28 | 27.5' | $7,436 | 9 | 5 |
| CS 36 Merlin | 36' | $47,900 | 7 | 2 |
| Tartan 28 Piper | 28.25' | $31,900 | 6 | 3 |
| Sabre 28-3 | 28.42' | $16,475 | 2 | 0 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $16,896 | 20 | 14 |
| Italy | $17,583 | 2 | 2 |
| Germany | $26,498 | 1 | 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Westerly Merlin 28 cost?
- The median asking price for a used Westerly Merlin 28 over the past 12 months is $17,568. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Westerly Merlin 28 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 23 Westerly Merlin 28 listings over the past 12 months, with 16 listed within the last 90 days.
- Are Westerly Merlin 28 prices going up or down?
- The median asking price for the Westerly Merlin 28 has increased by 0.28% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month average.
- Where is the cheapest place to buy a Westerly Merlin 28?
- United Kingdom currently has the lowest median asking price at $16,896, while Germany is the most expensive at $26,498 — a 57% difference.
- What are similar sailboats to the Westerly Merlin 28?
- Comparable models include the Catalina 28, Hunter 28.5, Marlow-Hunter 28. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.