The class between eight and nine metres in length is exciting, diverse and offers a much wider choice than is usually assumed.
We have compiled an overview of the current new boats on the market:
Important reasons for the attractiveness of this boat size are easy handling, the flexible choice of sailing area because some models can be trailered and, last but not least, a price that is often still affordable. Nevertheless, there were some boats in the list that were priced well above the 100,000 euro mark. Much more favourable offers can be found on the second-hand market. Some of them are real bargains. While the supply was rather reduced in the past two years due to the corona boom, more and more promising listings can now be discovered. The situation seems to be normalising. When browsing online portals for used yachts, there is a very wide range on offer. After all, boats last for many decades, so models from almost half a century of yacht building come together. Our selection lists particularly popular or readily available boats. This is why German and Scandinavian shipyards predominate.
28-foot second-hand boats:
In this article, we present the following 20 used compact cruisers:
Vindö 32
A good 400 of these comfortable sea cruisers were built between 1974 and 1987. Many ships went to Lake Constance. Solid construction, a cosy interior and the appearance of a wooden ship make the Vindö 32 a popular and readily available used boat. Given the age of the boat, it is the state of maintenance in particular that determines the price and whether a new engine is already on board. Accordingly, the prices are very heterogeneous. Hull length 8.90 m; width 2.75 m; weight 3.6 tonnes; from 13,000 euros
- YACHT-Test: Issue 15/1976
Archambault A 27
A strong character and many talents: sportier than a cruiser, more comfortable than a pure regatta boat. The A 27 is designed to be a sporty daysailer that can also be used to sail and win a regatta. The boat offers high speed potential even in light winds and an efficient deck layout. There were optional lockers and a table below deck. The price of the new boat was already very high, and it still is with the second-hand boats. Hull length 8.35 m; width 2.98 m; weight 2.15 tonnes; from 78,000 euros
Etap 28s
The almost nine metre long Etap is impeccably finished, offers plenty of storage space and a comfortable interior. It remained good-natured at sea even in strong winds, but showed weaknesses in light winds. The hull has a double-skin construction, the space in between is filled with foam and the boat is unsinkable. The many practical details were particularly noticeable during the test; the design appears very well thought out. It is somewhat heavier with a short keel. Hull length 8.60 m; width 3.36 m; weight 3.6/3.7 tonnes; from 40,000 euros
Bandholm 27
The boat was categorised as a spacious family boat in this size at the time, although this assessment may have changed in the meantime. The high build quality and especially the woodwork in the interior are still very beautiful. There can be big differences in quality here with used boats, as some boats were also sold for self-construction. Hull length 8.30 m; width 2.80 m; weight 3.2 tonnes; from 12,000 euros
- YACHT test: Issue 1/1979
Bavaria 890
The boat from southern Germany is a real yacht, solidly built and, with an impressive 44 per cent ballast ratio, also stable in windy conditions. Nevertheless, it sailed surprisingly agile in the test, even in light winds. The versions with a steering wheel are not recommended as they offer too little space in the cockpit. The fold-up tiller is better. Please note: Headroom and berth dimensions are tight. Hull length 8.94 m; width 2.95 m; weight 3.2 tonnes; from 22,000 euros
Sadler 290
The Sadler 290 is extremely seaworthy and suitable for tidal areas, thanks to the two 1.30 metre deep bilge keels that allow the yacht to simply fall dry. The sporty rig ensures fast propulsion. The interior design is spacious and solid with plenty of storage options. This means that the galley can also be used in waves. Hull length 8.84 m; width 3.26 m; weight 4.7 tonnes; from 18,000 euros
Bianca 27
She is considered seaworthy, but not particularly fast, and even slow on upwind courses. The beautifully designed interior, which conveys a generous feeling of space, is outstanding. Due to the high number of over 600 boats, good offers can be found regularly. The 2008 test shows that a refit is also worthwhile. With its long keel and attached rudder, it is almost a classic. Hull length 8.25 m; width 2.44 m; weight 3.3 tonnes; from 9,000 euros
Delphia 28 Sport
Spacious compact cruiser from Poland, which was praised in the test for its good build quality and offers a separate wet room and aft cabin on a length of just 8.80 metres. The boat sails decently, but does not really live up to its sporty name. With a weight of 2.8 tonnes and a width of 2.95 metres, trailer transport is also only possible to a limited extent. There is a version with a ballast centreboard (draught 0.50-1.52 metres) and with a fixed keel (1.77 metres). Hull length 8.80 m; width 2.95 m; weight 2.8 tonnes; from 35,000 euros
Focus 800
Pure sailing fun, no cabin: the Focus 800 is a design consistently geared towards single-handed sailing. However, its elegant wooden look and solid construction also make it quite heavy. The rig is made of carbon fibre, so it can also be laid and positioned alone. The 450-kilogram keel ensures stability despite the slim hull. The basic price ex shipyard was very high at just under 70,000 euros. Hull length 8.00 m; width 1.97 m; weight 1.1 tonnes; from 35,000 euros
Hunter 27
The Hunter offers plenty of space and a high level of comfort below deck. It also has a high build quality. However, with the flat keel version (1.05 m), the American was not convincing in the test on the cross. Hull length 8.23 m; width 2.95 m; weight 3.5 tonnes; from 35,000 euros
Granada 27
Advertised at the end of the seventies as a family boat and regatta boat in one, the Granada offers good sailing characteristics even in light winds. The layout below deck is classic: Saloon with kitchenette, WC between the main bulkhead and forward berth, a slip berth to starboard aft. You can find several examples online in a wide price range. Favourable entry-level boat. Hull length 8.28 m; width 2.78 m; weight 2.2 tonnes; from 13,000 euros
- YACHT test: Issue 1/1979
Grind
600 boats built still ensure a lively community in Denmark and also in Germany. The solidly built pointed gates score points with good sailing characteristics and a fairly large amount of space in the wide hull. The only drawback is the difficult manoeuvring characteristics when sailing astern, which are due to the attached rudder. Hull length 8.20 m; width 3.12 m; weight 3.4 tonnes; from 20,000 euros
Maxi 84
Good sailing characteristics and solid construction make the Maxi a popular second-hand boat. The headroom is limited to 1.80 metres, as are the berth lengths. Boats that already have a new engine are significantly more expensive. The large genoa on the top-rigged mast provides plenty of propulsion and the cockpit is well protected. Hull length 8.40 m; width 2.95 m; weight 3.6 tonnes; from 9,500 euros
H-Boat
It can do almost anything: perform on the race course, and still in respectable fields. But it is also suitable for cruising and can be lived on. It offers more of a camping standard. High seaworthiness and the option to easily change sailing areas using a trailer round off the overall package. Plus a fair price. Also available as a new build. Hull length 8.28 m; width 2.18 m; weight 1.45 tonnes; from 9,000 euros
Albin Alpha
By the standards of the time, the Swedish ship offered a high standard of living and was also characterised by its high speed potential and easy handling. With a separate toilet room and aft cabin, it can also compete with current designs of this size in terms of comfort. However, the 1.79 metre headroom in the saloon is somewhat cramped upwards. The level of care and maintenance is decisive for the price. Hull length 8.93 m; width 2.84 m; weight 3.2 tonnes; from 25,000 euros
- YACHT-Test: Issue 22/1988
Hallberg-Rassy 29
Solid construction, timeless lines and a certain cult status make the small Hallberg-Rassy a sought-after and high-priced used boat. As a result, many offers significantly exceed the original purchase price. Many offers start at 45,000 euros. A few can be found from 39,000 euros. The boat sails well, copes well with strong winds, goes cleanly through the waves, but becomes quite sluggish under 3 Beaufort. Dark, cleanly finished mahogany is found below deck. There is no aft cabin. Hull length 8.90 m; width 2.83 m; weight 3.8 tonnes; from 39,000 euros
Hanse 291
The first Hanse was launched in 1992 as a "price hammer" for 44,444 Deutschmarks. In the YACHT test, it scored highly for its excellent sailing characteristics and decent workmanship. In the meantime, the 291 has become a popular second-hand boat, which is also reflected in the rather high prices. The Hanse 291 offers a successful combination of a cosy interior and excellent sailing characteristics as well as seaworthiness even in stronger winds. Hull length 8.90 m; width 2.70 m; weight 2.6 tonnes; from 20,000 euros
Henk 27
Large interior volume, practical design and a good price-performance ratio: the Henk is consistently designed for liveability. Large berths and a headroom of 1.80 metres in the saloon also make the Henk a liveable boat. The sail area is somewhat lacking. Good details are the outboard motor in the shaft in front of the rudder blade and the Jütt system. Hull length 8.15 m; width 3.00 m; weight 3.0 tonnes; from 44,000 euros
First 285
The First 285 offers convincing sailing characteristics, clean workmanship and a ship-like interior, while an ergonomic cockpit design and good steering behaviour impressed the testers at the time. Below deck there is a separate aft cabin and wet room as well as a chart table. At 1.90 metres in length, the berths are not particularly comfortable. The galley has everything you need for a holiday cruise. There are regular offers on the second-hand boat markets. Hull length 8.42 m; width 2.99 m; weight 2.8 tonnes; from 34,000 euros
- YACHT-Test: Issue 12/1988
Sun Odyssey 30i
The French boat fulfils the desire for a small, comfortable, simple and affordable family yacht. It is remarkable what the designer has managed to fit into the 8.79 metre length of the boat. The wet room also has the option of a shower. Also very exciting: in addition to the fixed keel version, there was also an option with a swivelling keel. The 30i offers good sailing performance and agile steering behaviour, and is also ideal for single-handed sailing. Hull length 8.79 m; width 3.18 m; weight 3.9 tonnes; from 65,000 euros
Current 28-feet
We have already compiled a market overview of 28-foot compact cruisers. Including the new Bente 28which Beneteau First 27 SE and 18 other yachts around nine metres in length. Most of the newly available touring boats are already available as second-hand boats.
The big YACHT used boat special:
- New, used or chartered - here's what to consider
- Which type of boat is the right one? Decision-making aids
- Overview: Used boats under 6 metres
- Overview: Used boats under 7 metres
- Overview: Used boats under 8 metres
- Overview: Used boats around 9 metres
- Overview: Used boats over 9 metres
- Dream yachts: These are the favourite ships of YACHT readers
- Buying a used boat: Your guide through the online jungle
- Own inspection or surveyor? What you need to look out for
- How to avoid traps in the purchase agreement
- The boat is bought - what's next? The first steps
- What insurance do I need for my boat?
