Produced during Hunter Marine's expansion in the mid-1980s, this 28-footer represents the builder's approach to affordable coastal cruising with a focus on interior volume and ease of handling. The Hunter 285's generous 10.5-foot beam creates surprisingly spacious accommodations below while maintaining manageable proportions on deck for a small crew. Built with fiberglass construction and featuring a fin keel with spade rudder configuration, the design prioritizes predictable handling characteristics over pure performance. The moderate displacement of 7,000 pounds, combined with 3,000 pounds of ballast, strikes a practical balance between stability and responsiveness that appeals to weekend cruisers and those stepping up from smaller boats. With a comfort ratio of 18.77, this boat leans toward the lighter displacement end of the cruising spectrum, making it well-suited for day sailing and coastal cruising rather than extended offshore passages. The sail area to displacement ratio of 17.46 suggests decent light-air performance, while the capsize screening value of 2.2 indicates it's best kept in protected to moderate coastal waters. The four-year production run from 1985 to 1988 makes the Hunter 285 a relatively common sight in marinas, offering potential buyers good parts availability and a solid knowledge base among owners and marine service providers.
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What is the Hunter 285's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Hunter 285 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 17.46. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Hunter 285's comfort ratio?
The Hunter 285 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 18.77. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Hunter 285 safe for offshore sailing?
The Hunter 285 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.2. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Hunter 285?
The theoretical hull speed of the Hunter 285 is 6.53 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Hunter 285 weigh?
The Hunter 285 has a displacement of 7,000.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 28.42 ft.
How much does a used Hunter 285 cost?
Based on 6 recent market listings, used Hunter 285 sailboats typically sell for between $7,000 and $13,000, with a median asking price of $9,000. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Hunter 285?
The Hunter 285 was designed by Hunter Design, first built in 1985.