I've been thinking about getting an H28 but I like the idea of a different layout that has an aft head by the companionway. I have come across an image from an H28 that has this but I wish I could see the rest of the cabin layout. Has anyone done a change like this to the standard layout?



Also, does anyone have pics of hard dodgers, solar arches or duckboards on H28's? I was thinking of a duckboard along the lines of this.

Another thing I'd like to know about is wind vane self-steering for the H28.

Hi CJ88

Welcome to the forum

if you search posts by HG02 on the "what did you do to your boat today" thread you will see lots of photos and discussion on his alternative layout with a aft head www.seabreeze.com.au/Photos/View/9774426/Sailing/image/?m=3&p=HG02

It would also be worth sending him a message asking him his thoughts on this modification

He has rebuilt his H28 over the last couple of years and has made many of modifications along the way to make it into a long term live aboard

If you look at the photo's in his gallery you will get some great ideas www.seabreeze.com.au/Media/Member/HG02/

Regards Don

I am currently reading "The Common Sense of Yacht Design" by L Francis Herreshoff, and the guy was clearly a character, and the way he writes in the book is very chatty. However, he is known to have said not to mess with his H28 design, or you would spoil it. If you want to do serious ocean sailing IMHO the original layout is best.
Hopefully HG will be along shortly to tell us how he faired with his modifications once he started using the boat in earnest.

Select to expand quote

Yara said..
I am currently reading "The Common Sense of Yacht Design" by L Francis Herreshoff, and the guy was clearly a character, and the way he writes in the book is very chatty. However, he is known to have said not to mess with his H28 design, or you would spoil it. If you want to do serious ocean sailing IMHO the original layout is best.
Hopefully HG will be along shortly to tell us how he fared with his modifications once he started using the boat in earnest.

+1

If you haven't bought the H28 yet but are not happy with the H28 layout I would look at what else is available with the layout you want but you will probably need to go a few feet longer to get it

I have seen 2 different layouts in H28's (and Sailmasters like mine) a forward heads one (between the V) and a centre heads one (behind the V ) with a shorter main cabin

I started with a 20 footer and after a few years went to a 28 foot Sailmaster 845 which is a nice boat but now I wouldn't mind something bigger so if I had my time over I would have bought a 34 to 36 footer that you can pretty much sail anywhere fora extended period of time but still be easily managed by 2 people

If I was buying I would look for a boat that has had a lot of stuff already replaced and not one that needs a lot of work unless you are specifically looking for a project to work on

H28's are good boats but you can only fit so much into 28 feet and I think that as nice as HG02's boat is he would probably agree with me

My thoughts only and others may disagree

Regards Don

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm not locked in on the H28, rather it is one option I'm considering. While I have found the aft head layout in an H28 as I posted, in other boats they tend to be more modern builds outside of my budget so to get what I want it seems modifications will be necessary whatever boat I go for. My aim is to have a shower I can stand up in which requires headroom which is generally lacking up forward in most smaller boats. I also figured I could use the quarter bath space under the cockpit seating as a place to locate a pull or swivel out toilet when required without losing more precious floor space to the head. I'm looking at this for one to two people so losing one of the quarter berths isn't a big issue. As to not messing with Herreshoff's design, well both OZ and NZ H28's have done that already stretching the length, adding headroom, altering sail plans and draft, etc. never mind building in GRP which he was against until he approved of what Compass Yachts created so what's a little more modification? I've had a quick look at some of HG02's work, looks like I have a bit of reading to do as it seems we have some similar ideas.

Hi cj88

if you don't mind me asking what sort of budget are you working with

Regards Don

Select to expand quote

cj88 said..
Thanks for the replies so far. I'm not locked in on the H28, rather it is one option I'm considering. While I have found the aft head layout in an H28 as I posted, in other boats they tend to be more modern builds outside of my budget so to get what I want it seems modifications will be necessary whatever boat I go for. My aim is to have a shower I can stand up in which requires headroom which is generally lacking up forward in most smaller boats. I also figured I could use the quarter bath space under the cockpit seating as a place to locate a pull or swivel out toilet when required without losing more precious floor space to the head. I'm looking at this for one to two people so losing one of the quarter berths isn't a big issue. As to not messing with Herreshoff's design, well both OZ and NZ H28's have done that already stretching the length, adding headroom, altering sail plans and draft, etc. never mind building in GRP which he was against until he approved of what Compass Yachts created so what's a little more modification? I've had a quick look at some of HG02's work, looks like I have a bit of reading to do as it seems we have some similar ideas.

The best alternate head layout in a H28 is start with a more modern design classic like this SS34.

http://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/sparkman-stephens-34/201789

Select to expand quote

Ramona said..

cj88 said..
Thanks for the replies so far. I'm not locked in on the H28, rather it is one option I'm considering. While I have found the aft head layout in an H28 as I posted, in other boats they tend to be more modern builds outside of my budget so to get what I want it seems modifications will be necessary whatever boat I go for. My aim is to have a shower I can stand up in which requires headroom which is generally lacking up forward in most smaller boats. I also figured I could use the quarter bath space under the cockpit seating as a place to locate a pull or swivel out toilet when required without losing more precious floor space to the head. I'm looking at this for one to two people so losing one of the quarter berths isn't a big issue. As to not messing with Herreshoff's design, well both OZ and NZ H28's have done that already stretching the length, adding headroom, altering sail plans and draft, etc. never mind building in GRP which he was against until he approved of what Compass Yachts created so what's a little more modification? I've had a quick look at some of HG02's work, looks like I have a bit of reading to do as it seems we have some similar ideas.

The best alternate head layout in a H28 is start with a more modern design classic like this SS34.

http://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/sparkman-stephens-34/201789

Wow, that S&S is a great buy. However, bigger boat, bigger ongoing costs.
Note that Walker H28s range in asking price from $17k to $35k, but seem to sell in the range $17k to $22k.

Select to expand quote

cisco said..

Ramona said..
The best alternate head layout in a H28 is start with a more modern design classic like this SS34.

http://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/sparkman-stephens-34/201789

I wouldn't be bothering with an H28 when you can get Morning Matilda for that price.

Probably one of the better Australian ss34s to own. Keel stepped rig with forward and aft lowers and alot more stiffening structure to the hull unlike the later ones.
Osmosis may be present?

And a new fresh water cooled diesel!

Select to expand quote

Ramona said..
And a new fresh water cooled diesel!

Yeah! and that too,,,,Awesome

Select to expand quote

cj88 said..
I've been thinking about getting an H28 but I like the idea of a different layout that has an aft head by the companionway. I have come across an image from an H28 that has this but I wish I could see the rest of the cabin layout. Has anyone done a change like this to the standard layout?



Also, does anyone have pics of hard dodgers, solar arches or duckboards on H28's? I was thinking of a duckboard along the lines of this.

and make it removable when under sail

Crested stern I think is the boat your looking for , but forward it has a mast post and a forward cabin side entrance and you loose a main cabin settee in its cabin lay out.
All depends on what you intend to use you boat for
http://www.engelaustralia.com.au/2products_details.asp?pid=22&productid=21565

Id fit one of these in the existing fridge box
and go sailing

I wanted to call mine "Snotty" as the designer hated any thing but wood . He didnt design it for a motor and it ended up with one
to me if I had my way Id either fit an out board leg in from of the keel or two electric out board one each side of the main bulk head she would then turn in its own length. and remove them when sailing small light weight electrics

I've found some images of Crested Tern online and it seems that is the boat.

That is a very impressive interior layout (of those last couple of photos), if that is on a 28' ft'er.
However it doesn't have that 2 foot or so section of storage area just forward of the main bulkhead, that a lot of boats in the 28-30ft range have.
That small storage area is very handy for clothes/wet locker/toilet/holding tanks etc etc. It would be nice to have such an area on my Top Hat, but at 25 ft you cant have everything & I manage fine with what I have.

Select to expand quote

cj88 said..
I've found some images of Crested Tern online and it seems that is the boat.

I found it awkward trying to get into that fore-cabin. Then I tried lying down on the starboard setee and that was not comfortable, too short. Engine access was poor, and the broker suggested cutting a hatch in the cockpit sole. So my impression was-looks good, but not that practical.

The OP wants a separate head plus shower in an economical boat. I have seen a Clansman 30 which had those features. Solid old boats selling for $15 to $20k.

Interesting that you found the forecabin access difficult, Yara; I was thinking it looked tight from the pics.

Select to expand quote

Yara said..
I have seen a Clansman 30 which had those features. Solid old boats selling for $15 to $20k.

+1 on that. Castlecrag Marine has a couple for sale at $12k each at the moment. Lot of boat for the money, and very capable.

Select to expand quote

Chris 249 said..
Interesting that you found the forecabin access difficult, Yara; I was thinking it looked tight from the pics.

I think when you turn the two single births in the V into a double, it messes up the access. I have the same in my boat with a removable center piece. Its dead easy to access a birth as singles but the double thing is a pain,, I hate it. I'm thinking of moving the head to the V and making the double down one side starting where the head is. Like a Hans Christian 33

That Engel built-in fridge freezer looks good.

The S&S 34 looks good for the money but one of the reasons the H28 is on the list is its relatively shallow draft. I like being able to tuck up into anchorages when it's blowing or when a bay gets crowded.

Budget wise I'm saying sub $30k at this point but I could look at more if the right boat came along.

Select to expand quote

BlueMoon said..
That is a very impressive interior layout (of those last couple of photos), if that is on a 28' ft'er.
However it doesn't have that 2 foot or so section of storage area just forward of the main bulkhead, that a lot of boats in the 28-30ft range have.
That small storage area is very handy for clothes/wet locker/toilet/holding tanks etc etc. It would be nice to have such an area on my Top Hat, but at 25 ft you cant have everything & I manage fine with what I have.

Need to remember that the GRP H28's are closer to 30'. This is the aft head of Crested Tern so the toilet is taken care of and could probably do duty as a hanging wet locker and here are the dimensions for the Compass and Walker H28's.

AS Im old I wanted a boat I could live on using a pension and also as more of a anchor and chill rather than a weekender or more extended sails
So I as I found I continuously hit my head trying to go through the main bulk head so that made me remove the head and fit s large food draw in the V birth space also giving my enough room to fit a battery for the anchor winch then I made a sliding table so this would slide in and out and not take up much room I intend to use this table in the cockpit also






I added western red cedar to take care of any moisture in the boat it breaths and works well



I did fit some bulk heads one at the stern on the port side to fit my two Engels this give me many option use both or one for room temp storage or freezer for one or two or just use one and switch the other off

I also removed the port stern bunk so I can get in there and enjoy working on the motor and drive train as its not nice and I would not even both trying to do any maintenance on that motor with out bee-in comfortable
This is my old age home not a weekender '
Ive being doing it for nearly three years and I also use it as a basket weaving excessize for my brain in getting my memory back after several industrial accidents and the stupidity of the Victorian state government put my head through the front windscreen of a car











Because of my head injury I keep modifying things or if Im not happy I remove it or change it till it works for my and my limitations and confort
I probably would not put those windows in instead Id fit heavy original acrylic replacement the same shape as the originals and cut some circles out and make some acrylic round opening ports to fit in the original shape fixed windows
If Id done that that would have saved me a whole winters work
Ill live on it but probably never finish basket weaving with it

To Me If Herreshoff was alive today he might make the H28 out of carbon fibre and instead of lead for the keel he would design a sea water battery for the ballast solar and electric jet propulsion possible two small units either side around the main bulk head area with a interior design that would clip together make make a variety of options and design the sail rig with reaching in mind
even with the option of some sort of mast that could be lowered to bet under bridges

I look at the Fisher 32 and think that would be a excellent boat in carbon fibre for cruising around Tassy and also as charter boat there as well even some of the Island between the main land and Tassy
www.dbyboatsales.com.au/listing/fisher-32-mark-ii



Its always been a excellent design it was failing in sales because of the amount of resin it used to build

That was its only down fall
Imagine have a fleet of those around the south pole fly there for a weeks holiday and fly back
and add a production line carbon fibre dinghy with an ability similar to a cars key less system so if the dinghy goes missing or moves from the main boat a alarm goes off never loose a dinghy again its identification is built into it

Reading his design book, old LF Herreshoff was keen on designs to primarily sail on the ocean, and did not like double bunks and spacious cabins. He was also keen to make his smaller boats affordable, and therefore tried to avoid fancy construction materials or methods.

You can see what I mean on the fisher 32 they stopped because of resin cost became to high
So I just wonder now if it was calculated out what the cost would be to do the fisher in carbon fibre would it reduce it cost to build now days lighter and faster and add seawater batteries as ballast in the keel instead of lead .
similar if the H28 was done in carbon fibre it would be lighter reach faster and make the interior simpler
Id make a double gimbals hammock which you put away after a nap and add a couple of swinging chairs with wifi and a lap navigation table hang it up when your done

Making old designed boats lighter is pointless unless loaded down with heavier ballast to get them down to the sailing marks.

I wish

With the cost of marina fees these days and also just running cost do more with less makes a lot of sense
only trouble with that boat is the more is the $$$ to buy it