CAL 28
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 28 ft |
| LWL | 22.5 ft |
| Beam | 9 ft |
| Draft | 4.5 ft |
| Displacement | 6,000 lb |
| Ballast | 2,200.2 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.4 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 33 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 11.4 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 28 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 11.7 ft |
| FLforestay | 11.4 ft |
| Mainsail | 365 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 188.1 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 319.8 sq ft |
Engine
| Universal | Atomic 430 hpSee all 6 parts → |
About the CAL 28
One of the first CAL's and initially called the CALIFORNIA 28. Universal Atomic 4 gas inboard w/V-Drive opt. From builder literature. (1964)
Designed by C. W. Lapworth and built by Jensen Marine (USA) from 1963–1969, the CAL 28 is a classic coastal cruiser with 347 hulls produced. Its reputation is defined by a comfortable interior and robust construction, though owners frequently report structural maintenance challenges typical of its era.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend sailors who prioritize interior comfort and manageable size over high-performance racing or extreme bluewater endurance.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 6000.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 1.98, the CAL 28 is generally considered suitable for protected coastal passages but lacks the heavy displacement and structural redundancy required for serious offshore bluewater cruising.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Cal 30 and Pearson 28, which share similar displacement, beam, and cabin volume, making them direct competitors in the 28-foot cruising market.
Performance
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceAsking price by model year
5 listings · boat years 1968–1996 · median $18,000
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 28ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
25 reported issues across 9 systems for the CAL 28, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CAL 28? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 25 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
Engine Parts & Maintenance
The engines most commonly fitted to this model. “All parts” opens the engine's full catalogue; each part links to a matching listing on 
or 
matched to its part number.
Don't see your engine listed? Search all engines → to find parts for the exact engine fitted to your boat.
Prices are reference figures — confirm the current price on Amazon. Always confirm fitment against your engine's model and serial before ordering. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Used sails that fit the CAL 28
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…