J28 questions

[Robert]

I've found a used one for sale and have a couple of questions. It doesn't look like many posts are answered so I don't have high hopes.

1. I live in FL and a bimini is a must.  I have not seen on photo of a J28 with a bimini.  Dodgers yes, bimini no.  I realize that the mid-cockpit traveler location makes it difficult.  Can any one show me how one can be installed?

2. Are there any typical problems or issues that this model has? It's 1997.

Thanks,

Robert

[Jason Smith]

Robert,

It shouldn’t be difficult to add a Bimini.  See attached picture of Compass Rose #69.  Also, the boats ended their production run prior to 1990; hence, I wonder if the 1997 model year may be a different boat?

Jason

On Jan 11, 2022, at 12:19 PM, Robert <baba...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Geoff Cowles]

Robert

Did you mean 1987?  The boats were built to the end of 80s.

 I know of other boats with mid-cockpit travelers and biminis and the approach is to have a bimini protecting the helm position and a dodger and then a piece a fabric you can zip into the gap when not sailing (it has a slot for the mainsheet in vertical position). 

Here is an image on line of a J28 with a dodger / rear bimini combo in Texas

https://images1.allboatlistings.com/nlarge/j-28_sailboat_19091641.jpg

I am not aware of too many issues specific to the boat.   Given that the hull/deck are cored, appropriate use of a moisture meter particularly in the usual areas of concern,  thru-hulls, around deck hardware, and chainplates is important and I would check for play in the rudder and prop shafts.  On my boat the hose clamps in the stuffing box on the prop shaft are challenging to inspect as the bottom of them are squeezed between the hull and the stuffing box.   Ideally these would be pulled off and redone in order to be confident of their integrity and possibly the fiberglass below dremeled a bit to leave a gap for future inspecting.  I also found that the limber holes in the bulkhead between the v-berth and salon are too small and easily clogged leading to poor drainage from the forward portion of the bilge.  This is an easy fix.  Hatches and ports of this vintage may be somewhat opaque and gaskets may be dried out so look for water intrusion in the vicinity of these openings.  

It is a great boat, we were lucky to come across ours on Craigslist moments before we were about to put in an offer on another boat. 

Geoff

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On Jan 11, 2022, at 12:19 PM, Robert <baba...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Rick Quann]

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[Robert]

The year was a typo. It's a 1987.  My apologies.

[Robert]

Geoff,

Thanks for the info and the bimini photo.  I see now, it's a rather large piece that zips in, 30 inches or more.

Robert

[Sandy Welte]

Here is a nice example of a Bimini I found online on a 28 down in Florida. 

[Robert]

Thanks.  That looks nice but I would call it only a half bimini. This might be ok in CN where  the Johnstones are from.  

I too live in FL (N)  Today, in the first week of March, it was 83 degrees.  It rains a lot here too and the gap will not keep the cockpit remotely dry.

Robert

[Jason Smith]

Hi Robert,

In my experience, there is a practical limitation to the length of a bimini on most boats with end-boom sheeting (incl the J/28).  On Compass Rose #69, our bimini is set back about 3/4-1" from the end of the boom, generally aligned with the pedestal.  We do have a zip-in "connector" piece that bridges the dodger and bimini that really cuts down on the sun/rain, but our set up is used only at anchor/dock.

One other option you might consider:  have your canvas maker design/install a dodger extension that cantilevers aft into the cockpit.  You might get another 12-18' of coverage.  But obviously does not fully resolve your desire to keep the cockpit dry.

Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions.

Jason

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