nova 28 yacht review

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• Sailboat Guide

Nova 28 is a 27 ′ 11 ″ / 8.5 m monohull sailboat designed by Alan Wright starting in 1975.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Seen mostly in Australia. Designed for amature builder but also built by professionals. Keel/Centerboard & bilge keel versions.

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This is an amazingly voluminous small cruiser designed and built in NZ.

This boat has circumnavigated Tasmania and is very well set up and very well maintained, diesel engine, wind generator, autopilot, furling headsail and main in lazyjacks… the list goes on.

A great little package!

Nova 28 - Information

The 28 Foot Nova Cutter-Sloop:  The Wright 28 Footer

Caution: The following information (extracted from information brochure - 1981) may be inaccurate and out of date. It will be updated as further information becomes available...

The Nova was conceived as a safe and roomy cruising boat that could be easily handled by a family. The design brief called for good all-round performance with particular emphasis on the ability to make good time to windward in the short steep seas so often experienced locally. With over one hundred Nova's now sailing in New Zealand and several more currently under construction, the concept has been well received and, in addition to being a good family boat, she is well able to hold her own in competitive handicap racing. Although essentially an inshore or gulf sailer, many boats have completed extensive overseas voyages, including trips to the south pacific islands, Australia, and circumnavigations, but perhaps the most notable was John Mansell's Innovator from Mana which completed the Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race in 1976, and prior to that the Single-Handed Trans-Tasman Race.

The round bilge hull is built in timber or fibreglass and can be equipped with either fin, twin keel or centre board. The simple masthead rig may be setup as either a sloop or cutter, without the need for running backstays. In fibreglass form she is one of the most competitively priced 28 footers on the market.

Design Features

Designed by Alan Wright.

Moderate displacement but immensely strong.

Balanced hull shape making the boat sea-kindly under all conditions.

Able to be sailed off-shore in stock-standard form.

The easily driven hull requires only modest sail area, even in very light airs.

Flat bottomed keel for ease when slipping the boat.

Rudder is hung from a skeg giving added support.

The basic hull shape is available with a variety of cabin profiles, flush deck forward, and plumb or retrousse transom (wooden boats only).

Internal layout is flexible as no bulkheads or furniture are structural. Many different accommodation arrangements have been built allowing sleeping facilities for 4-6, dinettes, enclosed heads etc.

Principal Dimensions for Fibreglass NOVA 28

LOA 28 ft 8.53 m

LWL 22 ft 6 in 6.9 m

Beam 9 ft 2 in 2.8 m

Fin       4 ft 9 in     1.45 m

Twin     3 ft   0.9 m

Centre board -

Lowered        5 ft 3 in 1 .6 m

Raised         2 ft 9 in 0.8 m (does not project above cabin sole)

Displacement 6500 Lb 2950 kg

Ballast 2800 Lb 1270 kg (fin keel)

Sail Area 365 sq. ft 34 sq. m (Main + 100% fore-triangle)

Principle Dimensions for Timber NOVA 28

LWL 22 ft 2 in 6.76 m

Beam 9ft 2.74 m

Draft 4 ft 9 in 1.45 m

Displacement 6763 Lb 3064 kg

Ballast 2406 Lb 1090 kg (fin keel)

Other details including the Twin and Centre Board keel details are the same as the fibreglass version.

Rigging and Sail Area

There are no running backstays or diamonds and adequate mast support is provided by a simple rig. The sail area has been well proportioned for ease of handling by a small crew or family and enables the boat to move safely and quickly in all conditions.

Main 170 sq. ft 15.81 sq. m

Genoa 288 sq. ft 26.78 sq. m

Working Jib 165 sq. ft 15.34 sq. m

Storm Jib 80 sq. ft 7.44 sq. m

Spinnaker 690 sq. ft 64.17 sq. m

Mast Height 34 ft 6 in 10.52 m (Deck Stepped)

Boom Length 11 ft 3.35 m

An 8-12 HP diesel provides adequate auxiliary power and can be fitted conventionally without the necessity for V drives.

These estimates are based on the best data available as of September 1981 ($NZ):

Amateur Built in timber, fully equipped $30,000

Professionally built in timber, basic sail-away $45,000

Professionally built in fibreglass - Hull & deck only $ 8,660

Professionally built in fibreglass - Basic sail-away $35,000

Plans for amateur construction are available from:

Alan Wright Yacht Design Centre

PO Box 9400

Auckland Phone: 686-337 ??

Fibreglass Nova's are available from:

Neil Beken, Grant Mitchell?

Nova Yachts

188 McLeod road

Henderson Phone: 66-087 ?? or 66-068 ??

For timber boats we suggest you have several boat builders price the job as any competent yard can produce this design.

** A word of warning - many grossly exaggerated claims are made about building costs. A good guideline is that the hull and deck cost is only about 25% of the total cost of any given yacht. Remember also that where basic sail-away prices are quoted, the are just that - BASIC.

Nova Class Owners Association  

The owners association is no longer active.  An old information sheet is linked here Nova Owners Association Information sheet  

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• The boat as such
• The cockpit
• For sailboats: The keel
• For sailboats: The rig
• For trailable boats: The boat on a trailor

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What is the best 28 ft for the money

• Thread starter Gordon Shadburne
• Start date Nov 11, 2004
• Forums for All Owners
• Ask All Sailors

Gordon Shadburne

I am looking for the best- family (not racing) sailboat 28 ft (or so) for 10,000-13,000Now live in Portland,Or. will be moving to Pudget Sound- WA.area. Want it safe!,big cabin (wife has some kneee problems) good mataince record. Am missionary to Native Americans ( www.warriorsforchristonline.org ) so limited in funds-Need your input- thanksGordon/WFCps now only have a 14 ft C-lark/ sail it sence 1970-  

mike C16582

i'm biased, but.......... As I said, I'm biased, but if you can find an O"day 28 I think you'll be happy. However, $10,000-$13,000 is cutting it close. AS a matter of fact, there's an O"Day 28 for sale right now in Portland Or. for $12,900 (I'm sure the price is negotiable)here's the link for it..........http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_boat_detail.jsp?currency=USD&units=Feet&checked_boats=1309615&slim=quick&  

Newport 28 Hello,Mike own's and likes O'day, I own and like Newport. Newport's were made in California, so lots should be available on the west cost.Compared to O'day, the Newport has a double berth in the cabin (the port sette slides out). Also, all Newport come with the traveler mounted on top of the companionway. Most Newports come with hot water, fresh water cooled diesel, and some other things as well.As far as I can tell, both the Newport and the O'day are good boats. Good luck,Barry  

John Dawson

Cal 29 or 27 probably fall into this price range, and less if needing work. Large cabins, good performance, good reputation.  

Hunter 27 for two The Hunter 27 built from 75-84 to a design by John Cherubini is just the right size for a couple. It's a seaworthy design, with 6 feet of headroom in the cabin. The bench seats in the cabin make very comfortable bunks (easily reached by stiff knees.) The ride is comfortable in a seaway, and the cockpit is comfortable, with good back support. Ours was easily rigged for single handing, so the Admiral does not need to go on deck.And the price is right - $9,000 to $12,000 will get you going. (Ours '77 cost $9,000 and was ready to sail.) At your size and price parameters, you will end up with a "good old boat" and the associated maintenance work. Do get a survey to be sure you are not buying a project, and enjoy cruising!DavidLady Lillie  

Pearson 26-28 I learned how to sail at the boston harbor sailing club where they have a fleet of pearson 26 and 28's. The members sail these boats in all kinds of new england weather through a busy harbor and scatterred islands. They are built tough sail between 5 and 6 knots, have thick fiberglass hulls and seldom break down.  

Go for a Catalina 27 *! I realize the Catalina 27 isn't a 28 footer, but I think it would be a good match for your needs. They are plentiful, within your price range, have a large cockpit, seaworthy, and have nice sailing characteristics.If you could spend the extra $5K, the O'Day 28 is a better boat - faster (but can pound), and very well finished.Having owned both boats, if price is the biggest constraint, go with the C27.-Mark  

Stu Jackson

Augie byllott.

Comfortable boat for a couple Is there anything compelling about 28'?I recently sold a 1978 Catalina 30 after enjoying it for 15 years. Those additional two feet move the comfort level light years above the Catalina 27 owned by one of my friends. The cabin fever that one may experience on a smaller boat vanishes on the C30. A larger head, vee berth, saloon, dinette, and cockpit make a world of difference where a woman's comfort is concerned.With more than seven thousand having been built, there are always hundreds of C30s on the market. With a little horse trading and jawboning, you might be able to find one in your price range.It's worth a try.If anything, I believe that a C30 is easier to sail than a C27.  

Thanks for your response Thanks for your comments. Condsidering they aren't making them anymore, do you think there are problems getting parts for the Newports?I have read that the O'day stiffens in higher winds and is more forgiving when you get into troubling times. How would compare the Newport as far as safety and structural quailty and durability?  

Newport Info Hello,A great site for Newport Info is here:http://webhost.sailnet.com/newport/index.htmlRegarding parts availability, one thing I have learned is that most parts on a sailboat don't come from the original manufacturer. For example, the engine is from Universal diesel, the steering is Edson, the winches are Lewmar, the headsail roller furler is Profurl, the bilge pump is rule, the .....What did come from from the manufacturer you can now get from the aftermarket. O'day, Pearson, CnC (for a while anyway) all went out of busines. Hunter and Catalina are still in business, but I don't think you can still buy a rudder or something like that for a Catalina 27.Good luck,Barry  

Pearson 28 HI Gordon,Don't rule out the Pearson 28. The models made before 1982 can be found quite reasonably. This boat was built very well, is strong, safe, roomy and very easy and fun to sail. We owned one for 4 years and loved it. You can get one in the price range you mention. Go to yachtworld and check them out.Joanie  

Hunter 28.5 We have an '88 model. VERY well built, no blister problems. Taken her on 3-week trips on Lake Michigan covering some 600 miles total. Have been in all kinds of weather with her and she's always brought us home safely. I often single-hand her as well.  

Hunter 28.5, Pt II I, too, own a Hunter 28.5 (1986 model). While I think Hunter packed a lot of value into this model boat, I don't think you could find one in very good condition for your price range. I do think you could find one for just a bit more (say around $15k), but you'd probably have to put some work into it and perhaps buy some new sails. I personally believe that the 28.5 is a great boat for single-handling, coastal or river/lake cruising with a small family in a semi-protected environment, or similar sailing. But in the price range you mention, most of the listed 28 or so footers are going to be in the 1978-1982 or so age group. Any boat that is 25 or so years old needs to be VERY carefully inspected, by you and a professional surveyor as it could be subject to a number of conditions that could be expensive or prohibitive to repair. In the interim, you may want to take a look at Don Casey's book "Inspecting The Aging Sailboat." It will give you a better sense of how to evaluate some of the candidate boats you may look at. It's a buyer beware world out there....  

Gordon, The best 28 is a Catalina 28 and because of that they are very expensive. The next best and most boat for the money is a Hunter 28... not a Hunter 28.5. The Pearson 28 is the next best followed by the Hunter 28.5.The main reason for the rating is the walk through swim platform offer by both the Catalina 28 and the Hunter 28! Great for the family getting on and off the boat and into the water. The construction of the Catalina is better than the Hunter. The Pearson construction is also better than Hunter. I own a Hunter 28 and love the boat! I took a long time reviewing which boat to buy. Everyone will tell you they love thier boat. I do too but a Catalina is better!  

This thread could go on for ever We all bought our current boat for one reason or another price,walk through transomes,loyalty to the brand and so on and we all could come up with reason's as to why. So asking a question like the best 28 footer for the money and you will get a different answer from each of us. So it is not really a fair question to ask because your best 28 footer for the money may not be mine. Taken in what your needs are all the boats mentioned would work. They are all great boats and have ther good and bad. But it all comes down to YOU and the $$$. Keep in mind that in this price range you will be buying a 30 year + boat. That will need upgrades and might have a gas engine or an out board. Look for the right deal and keep in mind the survey could eat up 5% of your boat money. So it is tough to say which boat is the best for you and your needs. Also keep in mind that your wife will need to climb all over the boat and up and down into the cabin bad knees and all. So a boat with wide side deck's might be a consideration over a boat with narrow side decks. Plus the climbing of the steps of 5 or 6 steps to get down below. It will really comne down to looking at allot of boat's and seeing which boat fit's the needs. Your price range will limit you and might force you into buying a older boat than maybe you had thought and also throw in the location. Boats on the West Coast seem to bring more for the same boat on the East Coast. Cliff  

Finding and buying your boat Having contributed my 2 cents on our own model, here is my recommendation on how to buy a boat:In your price and size range, you are loooking for a "good old boat." Many of us own these great models from the 70's and early 80's. In general, they have great cruising designs, overbuilt hulls (because this was before anyone really understood fiberglass), and may involve some maintenance. (Although we sailed Lady Lillie through her first summer, 500 miles, and 22 nights on board as we bought her.)Look at lots of boats in your price range. This will be the hardest part for your wife's knees, but after a while you will settle on a few designs you like, and you can look without her until you find the one you want. Lay down in all the berths you might use. Sit in the cockpit. Stand in the galley, and go through the motions of preparing food and washing dishes. Sit on the head. Go forward from sitting in the cockpit along the decks to the bow. Don't worry about the model, you will figure out which ones you like. Consider using a local agent who is supportive of your wishes (not trying to seelyou up to a higher price,) and can arrange to get you on a lot of boats.Buy one of the good books on this site that describe how to buy a cruising sailboat. Read the reviews on this website. 28 footers were not commonly built in the '74-'85 range you need for your price, so look at the 27 and 30 footers. The boats for sale on this and other sites can get you started, and help you understand pricing.Find _your_ surveyer. Ask other sailers who is the most competent and trustworthy in your area. This is imporatnt because a good survey allows you to understand 80% to 90% of the maintenance you will be doing in the first years of boat ownership. You contract must include the survey, and your right to walk away or negotiate a price reduction based on the survey results.Take your time. Many boats will come on the market in the next six months, and you can find the one with just the characteristics you want and like.Our search took about 6 weeks during which we climbed into about 10 boats on the hard (and in the ice and snow.) We came down to a choice between a Catalina 30 at $18,000, and a Hunter 27 at $9,000. We checked with the marina near our house, and they said that the 5 1/2 foot draft of the Catalina was too deep for the marina. We bought the '77 Hunter 27, and have loved her.The cabin has headroom to 6 feet. The diesel will drive us all day through calm seas, but is a little small if we are bucking wind and waves (something we try always to plan, or wait around.) There is plenty of room and comfort for the Admiral and me. We sleep in the v-berth, where 5' 11" and 5' 8" means that we play footsie occasionally, but are both very comfortable. The bench berths in the main cabin easily and confortably accommodate my two brothers who go a large 6' 2". The accommodations are ideal for me and my wife. We have spent two weeks on her, and could easily go a month. Although tight and familiar, my Dad, brothers and I have cruised a week on her, and we are quite comfortable. I believe that we would have been just as happy on the Catalina 30, but shoal draft is a real value for some of the ports, and anchorages of Lake Erie when the water is low. I really don't believe there is any clear choice of one model. Any of those mentioned so far (and a number of others) could be your boat.Your boat is out there, near you. Educate yourself, and invest in climbing aboard enough to find the fit for you. If the workmanship is good enough to last 20 to 30 years, and pass your survey, you don't have to worry about your time on her. Do it, you will love the joys of cruising - anyway, we do.DavidLady Lillie  

Plan for incidental costs If your budget is tight, look out for the costs that you may have in getting your boat to its new home and making it yours. In addition to the survey and cost of a sea trial (we paid for a marina worker to sail the boat at the sea trial), we paid to have the mast taken down, truck to our lake, put the mast up. Altogether, it was about $1,800 with survey and sea trial included.We bought a 27' Starwind (1984) and then put another $1,400 into re-upholstering everything, including new foam for all cushions. Then I needed to replace a halyard and a main sheet, buy new dock lines and hardware for the slip, another $400 at West Marine for stuff, new sails maybe next year ... you get the picture.We looked at about 8 boats over a couple weeks and we were anxious to find one before the summer ran away from us this year. We noticed a big difference in the comfort factor between the Cal 2-27 and our boat compared to the others which were all 26' or less. So you are certainly looking for the right size.You can put a lot of emphasis on all the practical elements of a boat, but for me, it mainly comes down to how does she make you feel to look at her for the first time (and every other time thereafter). Everytime I look at her, I'm happy with what we bought. I don't think you can be happy with a boat if you don't feel that emotion. Then, you just better be prepared emotionally to walk away if the survey reveals problems that you're not prepared financially to overcome.My wife and I had that feeling for 2 boats ... first for the Cal, which slipped away because we didn't make an offer quick enough. We looked longingly at ads for a few Catalinas that were just out of reach for what we wanted to spend on our first boat.Luckily, I think we are very happy with the Starwind because it has many features and layout differences that make it a better boat for us.Take a good look around, use as much time as you need ... when you find her, you'll know it!  

Seafarer I have 2 Seafarer 30 footers. They were designed by McCurdy and Rhodes in 1978. Its a VERY safe, heavy duty and large for its length boat. There is a very good and active forum for these (one reason I bought one).I want to sell one (I bought the 2nd one for the trailer it was on and the 9 sails that came with it as well as having a back up in case I needed anything).The boat was one of the few to survive Ivan intact, and with no damage to it (except rubrail scuffing). The owners group had a mould made for the rubrail, so a new one is available inexpensively.It has a 23 hp Volvo 2 cylinder diesel that has 360+ or- hours, and looks almost new(the engine and tranny).The baot needs a good cleanup (from being stored and unused) recover upholstery, varnish brightwork, etc and the installation of the engine (i would do for additional cash).I want $4500.00 for it, as is.Look at yachtworld for Seafarer Swiftsure 30. Also compare hullspeed, quality of construction, and owners comments. This is a GREAT deal and very safe if you don't mind cleaning a little and upholstering it to your wifes tastes.let me know if interested.Tommy[email protected]  

What about the Columbia 8.3? Any reason the Columbia 8.3 wasn't mentioned? This appears to be a well built cruiser/club racer that should be in the price range.  

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Allan Wright Nova 28

Listed on 25 October 2016 by By Public User

This listing is no longer available

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