CONTESSA 28
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 27.67 ft |
| LWL | 22 ft |
| Beam | 9.42 ft |
| Draft | 4.83 ft |
| Displacement | 6,970 lb |
| Ballast | 2,799.8 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.3 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 35 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 11.17 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 30 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 9.5 ft |
| FLforestay | 11.2 ft |
| Mainsail | 349.4 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 195.5 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 332.3 sq ft |
About the CONTESSA 28
Thanks to CONTESSA 28 owners John Hansen, Roma Pueyo, as well as Jeremy Rogers Ltd. for providing brochure drawing, photos, and corrected information on this yacht.
Designed by Doug Peterson and built by Jeremy Rogers starting in 1977, the Contessa 28 is a compact, heavy-displacement cruiser with a displacement of 6970.0 lb and a D/L ratio of 292.22. While the exact total hulls built is unknown, the model is renowned for its robust construction and seakeeping abilities relative to its 27.67 ft LOA.
- Best for:
- This boat is ideal for coastal cruisers and short-handed sailors seeking a stable, comfortable platform with a high comfort ratio of 22.91, though its narrow beam of 9.42 ft may limit interior space for large families.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low capsize ratio of 1.98 and a fin keel, the Contessa 28 is well-suited for offshore passages, provided the critical structural integrity of the keel and rudder is verified.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Cal 2-36 and O'Day 28, which share similar era and coastal cruising roles, but the Contessa distinguishes itself with a significantly higher displacement and heavier ballast ratio for superior offshore stability.
Performance
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceAsking price by model year
8 listings · boat years 1977–1980 · median $9,995
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 27.67ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
17 reported issues across 7 systems for the CONTESSA 28, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CONTESSA 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 17 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
Which engine powers your CONTESSA 28?
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Used sails that fit the CONTESSA 28
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