NauticStar 28 XS T-Top Specifications
- Length Overall (LOA): 28'4"
- Beam: 9'8"
- Dry Weight: 5,850 lbs
- Engine: Twin outboard, max 600 HP (twin 300s)
- Fuel Capacity: 200 gallons
- Fresh Water: 13 gallons
- Draft: 20"
- Deadrise: 21° transom / 50° entry
- Hull Type: Deep-V wood-free composite
Fishing Features
- Fish Box Storage: 2x 30-gallon bow fish boxes + 80-gallon aft fish box
- Livewells: 25-gallon aft port baitwell + 22-gallon leaning post baitwell
- Deck Access: Single-level deck for 360° fishability
- Seating: 2-person deluxe leaning post with flip-up bolsters
- Helm: Blackout helm dash with joystick maneuverability
- Design: Extreme bow flair with reverse chine
Cover Features
- Fabric Options: 9oz solution-dyed marine fabric or premium Sunbrella acrylic
- Coverage Type: T-Top cover wraps hull below hardtop; hardtop remains exposed
- Construction: Reinforced stitching, hem cord at rubrail, adjustable tie-down straps
- Durability: Solution-dyed fabric (5–7 years); Sunbrella acrylic (8–10 years)
- Fit: Custom-fitted to 28'4" NauticStar 28 XS specifications
- Protection: UV-resistant, water-repellent, weatherproof
Additional information
Choose Your Cover Fabric
7 oz. Polyester — Our entry-level marine cover fabric, woven from 100% polyester fiber at a 7 oz. per linear yard weight. This lighter option keeps the cover manageable for solo handling while still delivering reliable protection against sun, rain, and debris. Backed by a 3-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black.
9 oz. Polyester — Step up to our heavy-duty polyester, engineered at 9 oz. per linear yard for boats that face tougher conditions or extended outdoor storage. The denser weave adds an extra layer of defense against abrasion and weather without adding unnecessary bulk. Protected by a 5-year fabric warranty. Ships in Navy or Black.
Sunbrella® — For boaters who want the best, our Sunbrella covers use 100% solution-dyed acrylic — the same fabric trusted by marine professionals worldwide. Naturally resistant to fading, mold, and water damage, Sunbrella holds its color and integrity season after season. Covered by a 6-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black, Smoke, or Marine Blue.
Both polyester options feature solution-dyed construction, where pigment is infused into each fiber during production rather than applied to the surface afterward. This process locks color deep into the material, preventing any dye transfer to your boat’s gel coat or finish. The result is a cover that stays vibrant without bleeding or rubbing off. Our polyester is also designed to breathe — it allows moisture trapped underneath to vent out naturally, reducing the risk of mildew and keeping your boat dry. The fabric holds its form without sagging or stretching over time, stays lightweight enough for one person to handle, and stands up to prolonged UV exposure and harsh marine weather.
*The warranty periods above are provided by the fabric manufacturer and cover the material itself. For details on what’s included in the warranty for your completed cover, please see our warranty page.
7 oz. Polyester — Our entry-level marine cover fabric, woven from 100% polyester fiber at a 7 oz. per linear yard weight. This lighter option keeps the cover manageable for solo handling while still delivering reliable protection against sun, rain, and debris. Backed by a 3-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black.
9 oz. Polyester — Step up to our heavy-duty polyester, engineered at 9 oz. per linear yard for boats that face tougher conditions or extended outdoor storage. The denser weave adds an extra layer of defense against abrasion and weather without adding unnecessary bulk. Protected by a 5-year fabric warranty. Ships in Navy or Black.
Sunbrella® — For boaters who want the best, our Sunbrella covers use 100% solution-dyed acrylic — the same fabric trusted by marine professionals worldwide. Naturally resistant to fading, mold, and water damage, Sunbrella holds its color and integrity season after season. Covered by a 6-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black, Smoke, or Marine Blue.
Both polyester options feature solution-dyed construction, where pigment is infused into each fiber during production rather than applied to the surface afterward. This process locks color deep into the material, preventing any dye transfer to your boat’s gel coat or finish. The result is a cover that stays vibrant without bleeding or rubbing off. Our polyester is also designed to breathe — it allows moisture trapped underneath to vent out naturally, reducing the risk of mildew and keeping your boat dry. The fabric holds its form without sagging or stretching over time, stays lightweight enough for one person to handle, and stands up to prolonged UV exposure and harsh marine weather.
*The warranty periods above are provided by the fabric manufacturer and cover the material itself. For details on what’s included in the warranty for your completed cover, please see our warranty page.
| Weight | 38 lbs |
|---|
Install
Please watch the video below for installation instructions!
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Frequently Asked Questions
The 28 XS is NauticStar’s largest production offshore boat — a 28’4" deep-V with 200-gallon fuel capacity and twin 300 HP outboard power (600 HP combined) that pushes the boundaries of small-boat canyon fishing. The 50-degree entry deadrise and 21-degree transom deadrise create the sharpest entry in the XS series, allowing the boat to knife through offshore swells with minimal hull pounding while maintaining planning efficiency. Only the 28 XS carries the canyon-capable designation in the lineup.
The 9’8" beam is wider than most competing 28-foot boats, creating additional deck space and stability in rolling seas. This extra beam requires a larger cover pattern with more fabric area to accommodate the wider hull contours and higher gunnels. Our engineers account for the full 9’8" measurement, ensuring the cover drapes smoothly without bunching or pulling at the corners.
Absolutely. The 200-gallon capacity delivers 200–250 miles of range at typical cruise speeds (30–35 knots), allowing crews to fish distant Gulf wrecks, continental shelf edge, or Gulf Stream structure in a single day without refueling. The T-Top cover protects the fuel fill area, deck connections, and fuel system plumbing from salt-air contamination and UV degradation that accelerates fuel oxidation.
The single-level deck eliminates steps and obstacles, creating continuous fishable space around the entire boat. Whether anglers are sight-casting from the bow, retrieving from the beam, or bottom-fishing from the stern, the unified deck platform provides unobstructed footing and rod positioning. The T-Top cover protects this entire deck space, including the console, leaning post, all rod holders, and tackle storage, from UV and weathering.
The 28 XS features three dedicated fish boxes: two 30-gallon insulated boxes in the bow (port and starboard) and one 80-gallon insulated box at the stern, providing 140 gallons of total insulated storage — enough to keep a tournament haul cold from dawn to weigh-in. The T-Top cover shields these boxes from sun exposure, extending the lifespan of their gel-coat finish and insulation foam.
Yes. Every NauticStar from the smallest bay boat to the flagship 28 XS is built with 100% wood-free composite hulls bonded with stainless steel screws on 2-inch centers, chemically sealed and protected by vinyl ester resin barrier coat. This construction prevents water osmosis and eliminates rot, delamination, and transom softness — the problems that plague wooden-cored competitors. The 28 XS Limited Lifetime Hull Warranty backs this engineering advantage.
The 28 XS draws 20 inches, making it deeper-drafted than smaller XS models but still shallow enough to access bay structure, inlet passes, and coastal flats that full-size 30+ foot boats cannot reach. The draft primarily impacts ocean-going range and comfort in heavy seas, not bay accessibility. The T-Top cover protects the running gear and through-hull fittings from barnacle growth and corrosion.
The optional joystick maneuverability system allows single-hand boat control, freeing the angler other hand for rod work, gaff handling, or line management. This system relies on precision hydraulic valving and electronic sensors mounted in the helm area, all of which are protected under the T-Top cover from salt spray and UV degradation.
The leaning post is an elevated seating structure designed for tournament fishing, with flip-up bolsters that angle back for comfortable seating during long waits and then fold forward for unobstructed fishing when action heats up. The T-Top cover shields the post vinyl upholstery, stainless steel frame, and integrated storage compartments from sun fading and salt deterioration.
Yes, but the 28 XS requires a heavy-duty tandem-axle trailer rated for 6,000+ lbs and a powerful tow vehicle (3/4-ton truck minimum). At 28 feet 4 inches, you may need a wide-load permit in some states. The T-Top cover remains on during trailering (adding negligible wind resistance), and our reinforced tie-down system keeps it secure across state lines. The cover protects the boat finish during the inevitable dust and pollen exposure of highway transport.
⏱️ Current lead time: 1–3 weeks — every cover is custom-made for your boat.
Questions about fit? Call (561) 677-2628
Questions about fit? Call (561) 677-2628
NauticStar 28 XS T-Top Boat Cover
The NauticStar 28 XS is the flagship of NauticStar’s offshore lineup — a 28’4″ deep-V wood-free composite hull engineered for canyon-capable performance that other 28-foot boats simply cannot match. Twin 300 HP outboards (600 HP combined) powered by the STAR Performance System deliver the acceleration to reach distant Gulf Stream structure and continental wrecks in a single tide, while the 200-gallon fuel capacity ensures enough range for full-day offshore expeditions without refueling. The 50-degree entry deadrise slices through Atlantic swells with minimal pounding, the 360-degree single-level fishing deck offers unobstructed sight-casting and bottom-fishing positions around the entire boat, and the dual leaning posts with deluxe bolsters let crews rotate through exhausting tournament formats in comfort.
Built in Amory, Mississippi, the 28 XS is constructed entirely from NauticStar’s revolutionary 100% wood-free composite hull — no wooden stringers, transom core, or deck framing that can soften, rot, or delaminate. Instead, the hull bonds directly to the deck with stainless steel screws on 2-inch centers, chemically sealed and protected by vinyl ester resin barrier coat that prevents osmotic blistering that plagues wooden-cored competitors. This engineering backs NauticStar’s Limited Lifetime Hull Warranty and 5-year NauticGuard extended coverage, giving owners unmatched confidence in their investment.
A Perfect Fit custom T-Top cover wraps the entire 28 XS deck and console — three fish boxes (140 gallons of insulated storage), two aerated livewells, all electronics, joystick control systems, the deluxe leaning post, every rod holder, and every hardware connection — under UV-resistant, salt-proof solution-dyed marine fabric. Our engineers pattern every cover to the 28 XS’s specific hull geometry, including its 9’8″ beam, extreme bow flair, and reverse chine design, with reinforced stitching at stress points and adjustable tie-downs that secure to the rubrail. Whether the 28 XS is anchored 50 miles offshore or stored at your home marina, the cover preserves every system and surface for years of tournament-ready performance.
Canyon-Capable Engineering
The 28 XS’s 50-degree entry deadrise and 21-degree transom deadrise work in concert with air-assist chines and planing pods to create a hull that maintains planning efficiency even in heavy seas. The extreme bow flair keeps spray inside the boat during high-speed runs, while the reverse chine design provides lateral stability in beam seas. This combination of features is engineered specifically for 50+ mile open-ocean runs to wrecks and Gulf Stream structure — the fishing frontier that separates commitment from casual charters.
The single-level 360-degree fishing deck eliminates the step patterns found on competing boats, creating uninterrupted footing from bow to stern. The 2-person deluxe leaning post serves both a comfort and tactical function: crews can rest between bites or rotate through exhausting sight-casting conditions, and the flip-up bolsters fold away instantly when fish are on. The integrated tackle storage, three insulated fish boxes, and two aerated livewells position every essential item within reach.
The NauticStar Offshore Legacy
NauticStar’s design philosophy of “Do More with NauticStar” reaches its apex in the 28 XS. The wood-free composite hull promises structural integrity for decades, the higher gunnels provide safety in offshore conditions, and the family-oriented design philosophy ensures that owners can fish tournaments, then transition to cruising trips with equal capability. The premium sound systems installed on XS models make overnight runs enjoyable, while the joystick maneuverability option positions tournament crews to focus entirely on fishing rather than boat handling.
Explore the NauticStar Offshore Fleet
Perfect Fit covers the complete NauticStar T-Top lineup. Browse the entire NauticStar boat cover collection, or explore smaller offshore platforms like the NauticStar 25 XS T-Top cover for anglers seeking fuel efficiency. For specialized tournament fishing, check out the NauticStar 227 XTS T-Top cover, engineered for extreme shallow-water chasing.
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