Axopar 28 Cabin, the Original Axopar Reviewed

The 28 is where Axopar began

Every Axopar on the water today traces back to the Axopar 28. The Finnish company was co-founded in 2014 by Jan-Erik Viitala and a small team of industry veterans, and the 28 was its opening statement: a narrow, stepped, outboard-powered hull, a glass wheelhouse that kept the crew dry, and a price that undercut traditional European cabin boats by a wide margin.

It worked immediately. Northern European buyers loved a fast boat with a roof, Mediterranean buyers loved the open-top versions, and American dealers found that the 28 Cabin filled a gap between the center consoles and the bulky sport cruisers on their lots. BoatTEST listed a base price of $132,322 for the 2019 model with a single Verado.

About ten years after the 28 appeared, Axopar introduced the 29 range as its replacement in 2024. That makes the 28 a used-only boat today, and an excellent one.

Dimensions that explain the ride

The hull measures 28 feet 8 inches with a beam of 9 feet 8 inches. With outboards on the transom, overall length grows to about 30 feet, which matters for slip and trailer planning. Draft is about 2 feet 8 inches with the engines down.

Dry weight is about 4,277 pounds without engines, and BoatTEST weighed its twin-engine test boat at 5,698 pounds. That is light for a 28-foot cabin boat and explains both the speed and the efficiency. It also means the 28 is trailerable behind a full-size pickup, though at 9 feet 8 inches wide it needs a wide-load permit in many states.

The stepped bottom and sharp entry give it a ride far better than its size suggests in a short chop. In a big following sea it needs a little more attention than a heavy, beamy boat, but it rarely slams.

Single 250, single 350 or twin 200s

Axopar sold the 28 with a standard single 250 horsepower Mercury Verado, an optional single 350, or twin 200s. All three work, but they suit different owners.

The single 250 is the efficiency choice, quick enough for most buyers and the cheapest to service. The single 350 adds punch and a higher top speed without the weight and cost of a second motor. Twin 200s, the configuration BoatTEST tested, give redundancy offshore and the best resale.

With twin 200s BoatTEST recorded 48.6 knots, about 55.9 mph, at 5,700 rpm, burning 35.5 gallons per hour, and Boating's 2020 test boat on twin 200 hp Mercury FourStroke V6s reached 54.3 mph. The more useful number is cruise. At 3,500 rpm the boat ran 26.9 knots on 13.7 gph, roughly 2 nautical miles per gallon, which is excellent for a 28-foot cabin boat at that speed.

Life in the wheelhouse and the cabin

The Cabin version puts the helm and a companion seat inside a glass wheelhouse, with a bench behind and an opening sunroof on many boats. Forward and down a step is a cabin with a double berth, usable for an overnight or a nap. A marine toilet was optional, and buyers who plan to sleep aboard should look for it.

Aft, the cockpit is open with room for seating or fishing modules. Axopar's modular approach means you will find 28s set up as family day boats, fishing machines, dive boats and commuter boats, all on the same hull.

The T-Top and Open versions share the hull but trade the wheelhouse for open helms. In warm climates they sell well, but the Cabin remains the most versatile and the most searched-for version.

What a 28 costs to keep

Running costs are modest. Budget about $12,000 to $25,000 per year excluding depreciation, depending on storage and use. Dry stack or trailer storage keeps the cost at the low end, while a wet slip in a premium harbor pushes it up.

Mercury Verado service is the main mechanical expense, along with bottom paint if the boat lives in the water. Insurance is reasonable for the size and speed. The light hull is easy on fuel, and many owners report seasons where fuel is a smaller line item than storage.

Shopping for an Axopar 28 for sale

The used market for the Axopar 28 is deep in Europe and growing in the US. Expect to pay about $85,000 for an early single-engine boat and up to $175,000 for a late twin-engine Cabin with the best options. Prices have been steady because the design still looks current and the 29 costs considerably more new.

The best buys are boats with documented Verado service and a full set of covers. Avoid boats that sat uncovered for long periods, because the wheelhouse seals and upholstery suffer. A 28 with a refreshed interior and newer outboards can be worth more than a later boat with tired engines.

Axopar 28 or the newer 29?

The Axopar 29 replaced the 28 in 2024 with more interior volume, updated styling and the latest Mercury power. It is the better boat in almost every respect, but it also costs far more. For buyers who mainly want a fast, dry, efficient boat for day trips, a well-kept 28 delivers most of the experience for well under half the price of a new 29.