Hinterhoeller H28 / HR28

[hriehl1]

I have come across a mid-60s Hinterhoeller H28 (or maybe an HR28, not sure) for not much money that appears to be quite sound. There is VERY little info on these boats on the WWW so I'd love to hear from anyone familiar with them.

I will get a survey done, but before incurring that expense I'm looking for general impressions, strengths and weaknesses, etc.

Our intended use is mostly weekending (one or two nights aboard) for 2; possibly 4 people on occasion with the understanding that mid-60s 28-footers aren't nearly as roomy as newer designs.

In addition to general impressions, I have 2 specific questions.

1. In one ad I've seen for another HR28, it says the decks are not cored, they are solid glass. Can anyone confirm? This makes moot one potential and expensive problem area on such an old boat.

2. There is a cut-out slot in the transom that allows the outboard in the well to be tilted up. Does anyone know if this was original design, or the work of a PO? The slot (to me) seems to expose a large gaping opening into that engine well to a following sea.

Thanks for anything anyone can contribute.

[killarney_sailor]

I had a friend who had one of these for a few years. Hinterhoeller built good boats throughout his career. He was pleased with his boat and did what he wanted on Lake Ontario. Not sure about the decks but from inside the cabin you should be able to see if it is cored. Look in a locker close to the edge of the deck. If the deck is cored, it will get thinner close to the hull-deck joint where the deck will be solid glass even if most of the deck is cored. If it is constant thickness then it will be solid glass.

I think the cutout was standard. I don't think my friend had any problem with it. I can't remember how high the bridge deck is. If it is high enough a bit of water coming into the cockpit from time to time will not be a problem.

I think these certainly qualify as good old boats so if the price is right ...