Aloha 28

BoatsAloha 28

See her sail

The Aloha 28, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Lady K Sailing

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a moderate beam gives 21 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 21

CoastalBluewater

2.00 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.00

LightHeavy

205 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 205

EasygoingPowered-up

16.7 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 16.7

TenderStiff

44% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 44%

A balanced, easily-driven cruiser — comfortable and forgiving for coastal work.

What the fleet has seen

The Aloha 28, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Aloha 28 is a Masthead Sloop designed by Edward S. Brewer and built by Aloha Yachts International and Ouyang Boat Works from 1972 to 1988. With an LOA of 8.5 meters, a beam of 2.9 meters, and a draft of 1.3 meters, it displaces 3061 kg. The Aloha 28 was available with a tall rig and other configurations, and it is similar to the later Aloha 8.5. Lady K Sailing considers the Aloha 28 a suitable, affordable sailboat for full-time living, often selling for under $10,000.9:42 Essential features for solo cruisers include a dedicated head, roller furling, and a diesel engine.9:46 Roller furling improves safety for solo sailors by enabling rapid sail reduction without deck work in heavy weather.10:48 Diesel engines are preferred over older Atomic 4 gasoline engines to avoid fuel odors and explosion risks.5:11

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

What they go for

Market signal

Where the fleet has seen this model for sale, and the asking prices that came with it.

1seen for sale

US$14,000Median asking

A specific 1982 Aloha 28 is listed for $14,000, but others can be found for $7,000
from Lady K Sailingseen December 2023watch

From the fleet's own footage — our observed signal, not broker listings.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions

Weights

Ballast / displacement

44.4%

Rig & sail area

Rig

Masthead Sloop

Ratios

SA / displacement

16.7

Displacement / length

204.9

Comfort ratio

20.6

Capsize screening

2.00

Hull speed

6.6 kn

Pounds / inch immersion

825

Hull

Hull type

Fin w/transom hung rudder

Construction

Fiberglass

Production

Years built

1972–1988

Designer

Brewer, Walstrom, Edward S. Brewer

Builder

Aloha Yachts International, Ouyang Boat Works

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Bristol Yachts 288.53 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthAn IOR Half Ton racer with reduced stern overhang, serving as the performance-oriented predecessor to the Bristol 29.9

TOP 3 Small Sailboats You Can Sail AROUND THE WORLD! Ep 331 - Lady K sailing10:23 from Lady K Sailing

Pearson Yachts 28-28.67 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA William Shaw-designed masthead sloop featuring a fin keel and spade rudder, built as a modern successor to the original Pearson

Acorn to Arabella - Journey of a Wooden Boat - Bonus Content: The Good, The Bad and The Bronze0:04 from Acorn To Arabella

Maxi Yachts 848.54 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 8.5-metre fin-keeler with a 45% ballast ratio, offering a stiff and stable platform for coastal sailing

Measuring sails for a Maxi 84 yacht0:42 from practicalboatowner

Maxi Yachts Fenix 8.58.50 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1980s cruiser with a 1.5-metre bulb keel and spade rudder, designed for a balanced, stable coastal experience

Tone 2.0: Sailing towards the roots in the north for a new start | Bearing on Sailing8:37 from SEILmagasinet

Jeanneau Aquila 278.70 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA Philippe H. Harle-designed masthead sloop offered in both standard and deep-keel Regatta configurations

Sailing Savvy: How to Build a Winning Team with Jon Sverre Høiden12:45 from SEILmagasinet

Ranger Yachts 29 (Mull)8.71 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA 1970s masthead sloop with a skeg-hung rudder, offering a balanced 1.98 capsize screening for coastal cruising

EP#328 San Diego Sailing with Justin14:43 from Sailing Into Oblivion

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Aloha 8.5An evolution of the Aloha 28 featuring ten opening ports and refined brightwork for a more comfortable coastal cabin Aloha 34A masthead sloop available with a shallow draft option and a tall rig, designed for stable coastal cruising Aloha 27Originally introduced as the Aloha 26, this fractional sloop offers a 1.32-metre draft suited for coastal exploration Aloha 8.2A Robert Perry-designed fractional sloop balancing a nimble 18.17 SA/D ratio with a stable, comfortable cruising hull Aloha 32A Mark Ellis-designed masthead sloop balancing a moderate displacement with a capable sail area for coastal cruising Aloha 30A Ron Holland-designed fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio, built for performance-minded cruising

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

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