There are very few 28-foot sailboats that have earned a genuine cult following, but the Bristol Channel Cutter is one of them. Designed by Lyle Hess in the early 1970s and inspired by the offshore cruising philosophy of Lin and Larry Pardey, the BCC28 was built for one thing above all else: bluewater passage-making. Makaira is a 1980 example, and she’s currently available in Auckland for $31,000.
She cuts a striking figure at the dock. The dark blue hull is deep and glossy against the traditional brightwork and wooden trim, and the bowsprit and boomkin that stretch her overall length to nearly 38 feet give her the unmistakable presence of a serious ocean yacht. This is a boat that dock-walkers stop to look at.
The BCC28’s credentials are well established. The cutter rig, combined with that long bowsprit and boomkin, provides exceptional flexibility in sail configuration, which is exactly what you want when conditions change offshore. The full keel delivers a steady, directionally stable hull that tracks beautifully and suits wind vane self-steering, making her a natural solo or shorthanded passage-maker. She’s wide-decked and easy to work, with all the thoughtful proportions of a design that was drawn specifically for ocean use.
Makaira herself has the provenance to match. She was sailed from the United States to New Zealand, so her bluewater capability is not theoretical. The Yanmar 3GM30F, the factory-specification engine for this model, was rebuilt in 2012. Construction is solid fibreglass throughout.
The listing is candid that Makaira needs some attention. Medical issues have limited the current owner’s time aboard since 2020, and while antifouling and basic maintenance have been kept up, she’ll benefit from a new owner with the time and energy to bring her fully back up to scratch. For a buyer who can see past a cosmetic project, this is exactly the kind of opportunity that rarely appears at this price point. A BCC28 in any condition, in New Zealand, for $31,000 is worth a serious look.
A marina berth at Gulf Harbour is available as part of a package deal, which the vendor will look on favourably.
Contact Ian Duncan at Parker Marine Group: 0211219524 or emailian@parkermarinegroup.co.nz
