Designed by Michael McCreary and built by Caliber Yachts starting in 1981, this 27.5-foot cruiser established itself as a solid choice for coastal cruising and weekend sailing. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling, while the masthead sloop rig delivers straightforward sail management for cruising sailors. With a displacement of 7,200 pounds and 3,100 pounds of ballast, the Caliber 28 offers reassuring stability without being overly heavy for its size. The comfort ratio of 18.43 suggests a boat that prioritizes motion comfort over pure performance, making it well-suited for extended cruising rather than racing. The moderate sail area-to-displacement ratio of 18.42 indicates adequate performance in light to moderate conditions while remaining manageable in stronger winds. The fiberglass construction and proven design have made these boats popular on the used market, particularly among sailors seeking their first serious cruising boat. The hull speed of 6.61 knots reflects typical performance expectations for this class of cruiser. With its 10.83-foot beam and relatively shallow 3.92-foot draft, the design balances interior volume with shoal-water accessibility, appealing to sailors who enjoy exploring coastal waters and shallow anchorages.
About this estimate ▾
- Based on asking prices — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition, year, location, and included equipment are not factored in.
- Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering.
- See our full analysis: What Thousands of Sailboat Listings Tell Us About Used Boat Prices.
No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.
What is the Caliber 28's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Caliber 28 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 18.42. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Caliber 28's comfort ratio?
The Caliber 28 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 18.43. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Caliber 28 safe for offshore sailing?
The Caliber 28 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.25. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Caliber 28?
The theoretical hull speed of the Caliber 28 is 6.61 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Caliber 28 weigh?
The Caliber 28 has a displacement of 7,200.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 27.50 ft.
How much does a used Caliber 28 cost?
Based on 3 recent market listings, used Caliber 28 sailboats typically sell for between $10,500 and $10,500, with a median asking price of $10,500. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Caliber 28?
The Caliber 28 was designed by Michael Mccreary, first built in 1981.