best 30 meter yachts

• Compare Yacht

• Azimut World

Find a dealer

Charter club, news & events.

A TIMELESS CROSSOVER

The exteriors of the Magellano 30M are designed by Ken Freivokh. The vision that guided his design of the lines was to create an object of timeless, exquisite beauty. Destined for long-range cruising, she combines comfort and safety with high bulwarks and large windows to ensure constant contact with the beauty of the sea.

THE UNIQUE NATURE OF THE VOYAGE

The interiors are conceived by Vincenzo De Cotiis, a leading architect and designer with a famously artistic touch. For De Cotiis, a yacht is first about the journey and then about the living environment and, as such, his design reflects the sense of uniqueness that characterizes every moment of a voyage. The unconventional interpretation of seaworthiness permeates thoughtfully curated environments that play with the generous flow of light. Every element, from furnishings to design to layout, reflects the organic shape and natural colors of the sea.

WHEN FIBERGLASS BECOMES ART

The unconventional beauty of Magellano 30M manifests in myriad ways. Vincenzo De Cotiis and Azimut Yachts thrust fibreglass into the spotlight with a specially developed variant for this project. Usually a material that is forced to maintain a low profile, here it is meticulously worked, embellished and polished to become a stunning, innovative stylistic element that unashamedly takes center stage. Instead of its usual coarse, unfinished appearance, fiberglass has been transformed into something noble, profound and tactile. A true work of art of high scenic presence.

FLOODED BY LIGHT AND SOAKING IN CHARM

The unique main deck master basks in the wonders of two full-height windows. A perfect playground for the abundant natural light, from the unusually shaped furnishings to the fine and rich materials, every detail contributes to an environment far beyond traditional conceptions, yet warmly welcoming with an aura of organic wellbeing.

OUR ADVANCED TOOLKIT

AZIMUT DUAL MODE HULL

The Dual Mode hull is a highly efficient semi-planing hull designed to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 20% at medium speeds* , guaranteeing superior navigation comfort in a wider range of sea conditions. The double-chine hull, combined with the vertical bow, minimizes the impact of waves and thus offers greater freedom of navigation, cruising comfortably at low speeds for extended durations as well as at higher speeds.

*compared to vessels of the same weight and size with a traditional hard-chine hull

A 130kW/h lithium-ion battery pack can support the yacht’s hotel load for up to 4 hours during the day and up to 8 hours at night. Now, it’s possible to enjoy the full superyacht experience without the noise, vibration and emissions of the generators, making daytime activities more pleasant and nighttime relaxation more peaceful.

A UTA air extraction system continuously refreshes and treats the onboard environments. The staterooms below deck benefit in particular from the continuous flow of clean air from the outside, filtered to eliminate the majority of airborn particles and odors.

MAGELLANO 30M AT A GLANCE

• Length overall (incl. pulpit) 29,63 m (97' 5'')
• Beam max 7,06 m (23’ 2'')
• Draft (incl. props at full load) 2,05 m (6’ 9’’)
• Displacement (at full load) 136 t (299826 lb)
• Building material GRP
• Exterior designer Ken Freivokh
• Interior designer De Cotiis Architects
• Hull designer P.L. AUSONIO Naval Architecture & Azimut R&D Dept.
• Builder Azimut Yachts
• Keel Semiplaning Dual Mode Hull
• Certifications Structural project compliant with Rina Class Pleasure Certificate (certificate upon request as optional)
• Cabins 5 + 3 crew
• Berths 10 + 5 crew
• Head compartments 6 + 3 crew
• Engines 2 x MAN V12 1550 hp 2 x MAN V12 1900 hp
• Maximum speed (test load) Up to 20/24 kn
• Cruising speed (performance test mass) 16/18 kn
• Fuel capacity 14500 l (3831 US Gal)
• Water capacity 2130 l (563 US Gal)

Azimut updates

Choose to remain updated on Azimut’s yachts, launches, shows and more by subscribing to our newsletter.

I have read Azimut Benetti s.p.a. privacy notice and:

I agree to receive the newsletter about Azimut’s world from Azimut Benetti s.p.a.

You will soon receive your first newsletter with the latest Azimut news.

Follow us on WECHAT

Please keep me updated on everything about this yacht.

Non venderemo mai i tuoi dati, manterremo i tuoi dati al sicuro e non condivideremo mai i tuoi dati con terze parti per scopi di marketing. You can update your contact details at any time by emailing [email protected] or change your mind by clicking “unsubscribe” in any email you receive from us.

I agree to receive, via email, informational material regarding Azimut products from Azimut Benetti s.p.a..

We have successfully received your request and will contact you shortly.

Our newsletter will provide you with the latest news, on boat launches, previews and shows.

Complete the form below to be contacted by a dedicated dealer who will gladly respond to your questions and requirements.

I agree with the disclosure of my personal data to other companies belonging to Azimut Benetti s.p.a. group and /or to third-party companies affiliated with Azimut Benetti s.p.a. for the sale of its products.

We have successfully received your request. One of our select dealers will contact you shortly.

Specify your request

Fill in the required fields and submit the form.

I have read Azimut Benetti s.p.a. privacy notice.

Thank you for your interest

• Filippetti Navetta
• Filippetti Explorer
• Filippetti Flybridge
• Filippetti Sport

FILIPPETTI NAVETTA 30

EXTERIOR | INTERIOR | VIDEO | LAYOUT | TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION | DESCRIPTION | CONTACT US

New Model Filippetti N30

Filippetti Navetta 30: sailing in total harmony with sea

The trawler: the ideal option for all those who love and respect the sea.

Filippetti Navetta 30 is designed to enjoy a responsible sailing experience in harmony with the sea.

Built with eco-sustainable materials, this 30-meter yacht is a perfect long-range cruiser with very low environmental impact, displacing hull, low emissions and exceptional water and fuel capacity.

THE OWNER FIRST

The main focus of the Filippetti Navetta 30 project is on the owner. Spaces are arranged and customised around the owner’s needs for a totally relaxing sailing experience. However, this long-range cruiser is not only designed for comfort: aesthetics is important, too. Two different layouts and a custom interior configuration make this yacht unique and inimitable. The owner can choose between two versions, with 5 or 6 cabins. The latter even includes an upper deck that is exclusively reserved for the owner. In both versions, the master cabin enjoys a breath-breaking panoramic view.

A VERY BRIGHT LONG-RANGE CRUISER

Light is one among the main features of the Filippetti Navetta 30 . In the bow, where the large owner area is accommodated, the enveloping windows flood the interiors with an incredible amount of natural light, offering an ample panoramic view.

A WELLNESS OASIS ON BOARD

Travelling on board the Filippetti Navetta 30 is synonymous with relax and quiet. The Owner Suite can house a SPA area with jacuzzi, steam bath and an extraordinarily large shower or  a private Gym. The bathroom is decorated with fine marble details and customizable according to the owner’s needs. Guests can relax on the large terrace on the upper deck: the ideal place to enjoy the sun and the distant view between sea and sky.

COUNTRY * —Seleziona un'opzione— Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antigua & Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas, The Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia & Herzegovina Botswana Brazil British Virgin Is. Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Rep. Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo, Dem. Rep. Congo, Repub. of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Gabon Gambia, The Gaza Strip Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, North Korea, South Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Fed. St. Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria N. Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Helena Saint Kitts & Nevis Saint Lucia St Pierre & Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome & Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tonga Trinidad & Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks & Caicos Is Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands Wallis and Futuna West Bank Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe "Privacy Policy pursuant to Article 13 of (EU) Regulation No. 679/2016. The data entered in this form may be communicated to external agents, Independent Data Controllers, directly connected to Filippetti Yacht, in order to respond to the request submitted. For more details please refer to the complete text of the Privacy Policy. " ( link to Privacy Policy ) I have read the Privacy Policy and authorize the use of my personal data for the purposes of this form I want to receive informative newsletters from Filippetti Yacht and his representatives to be updated on news, projects, events and occasions

Yachts for Sale

Selling a Yacht

Tenders    &    Toys

Recent Sales

NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN

Yachts for Charter

Destinations

Experiences

Charter Management

Charter Deals

Yacht Marketing

How to Charter

Superyacht Management

Crew Structure

Crew Management

THE WELLESLEY

Superyacht Construction

New Yachts for Sale

Yacht Design

Yacht Shipyards

Custom Construction

Built on Trust

Heesen 55m Steel

Benetti Oasis

Yacht Shows

News & Blog

30m Yachts Yachts for Sale

Used 30m yachts yachts for sale, princess 32m.

32m | Princess yachts | 2012

HELLS BELLS

32m | Overmarine group | 2005

SEA MONSTER

32m | Custom | 1953

32m | Chantier de l'esterel | 1963

32m | Baglietto | 2004

32m | Princess yachts | 2013

32m | Admiral yachts | 2004

32m | Custom | 2007

HATTERAS 105

32m | Hatteras | 2011

32m | Azimut yachts | 2019

31.97m | Azimut yachts | 2022

31.95m | Alloy yachts | 1996

31.82m | Westport - crescent | 2000

31.8m | Overmarine group | 2023

31.69m | Astilleros de mallorca | 1995

31.7m | Windship yachts | 1992

31.7m | Sanlorenzo | 2012

ALL OCEAN YACHTS BC 103 MULTI PURPOSE EXPLORER FIBERGLASS

31.39m | All ocean yachts | 2025

102' 2007 BLUBAY 102

31.08m | Blubay argo boats | 2007

31.08m | Oceanfast | 1989

STAMOS BIEN

31.08m | Maiora | 2001

31.08m | Custom built | 2015

2017 CANTIERE DELLE MARCHE DARWIN/ATLAS

31.08m | Cantiere delle marche | 2017

31.08m | Sanlorenzo | 2020

31.08m | Sanlorenzo | 2021

31.07m | Sanlorenzo | 2012

ILLUSION OF THE ISLES

31m | Southern wind shipyards | 2006

PROJECT AGAPE 32 MT

30.98m | Italyachts | 2024

HORIZON FD100 HULL 11 TRI-DECK / DELIVERY SEPTEMBER 2024

30.96m | Horizon | 2024

HORIZON FD100

30.96m | Horizon | 2025

30.8m | Gulf craft inc | 2023

30.78m | Hargrave | 2010

101' HARGRAVE

30.78m | Hargrave | 2016

#5 NOMAD 101

30.78m | Nomad | 2024

30.75m | Azimut yachts | 2008

30.61m | Maiora | 2021

30.6m | Tecnomar | 2011

30.6m | Cbi navi | 2000

JASMINA III

30.6m | Ark yacht | 2022

30.53m | Ocean alexander | 2016

ALL OCEAN YACHTS OVERING 100' EXPLORER

30.5m | All ocean yachts | 2025

2024 OCEANIC 100’ SHADOW

30.5m | Canados | 2024

NEW ARRIVAL

30.5m | Ocean alexander | 2016

30.5m | Cnb yachts | 2009

30.5m | Maiora | 2022

ALL OCEAN YACHTS 100' FIBERGLASS

30.47m | All ocean yachts | 2026

30.48m | Tecnomar | 2009

30.47m | Benetti | 2003

100' SAN LORENZO 100 HARD TOP

30.47m | Sanlorenzo | 2007

30.47m | Baia | 2019

2021 ASTONDOA 100 CENTURY

30.47m | Astondoa | 2021

30.47m | President yachts | 2001

30.47m | Burger | 1966

30.47m | Bodrum yachts | 2007

30.48m | Holland jachtbouw | 2000

30.47m | Ocean alexander | 2018

CUSTOM LINE 100

30.47m | Custom line | 2012

30.47m | Mangusta | 1995

2024 MCP SILVER BULLET 100

30.47m | Mcp yachts | 2024

2026 INACE AVENTURA 106

30.48m | Inace | 2026

30.47m | Dittmar and donaldson | 1984

ENDLESS SUN

30.47m | Azimut yachts | 1999

SUNSEEKER 100

30.47m | Sunseeker | 2024

30.47m | Ocean alexander | 2016

2025 LAZZARA UHV 100

30.47m | Lazzara | 2024

30.47m | Azimut yachts | 2006

WIGGLE ROOM

Intervention.

30.47m | Azimut yachts | 2010

SANLORENZO 100SL

30.47m | Sanlorenzo | 1998

30.45m | Pritchard | 1990

SPIRIT OF ELIJAH

30.45m | Princess yachts | 2017

UPON REQUEST

30.45m | Princess yachts | 2020

30.45m | Princess yachts | 2018

30.4m | Filippetti | 2014

HORIZON E100

30.32m | Horizon | 2025

QUEEN SOUTH

30.2m | Versilcraft | 1988

2016 CUSTOM DIVE BOAT

30.17m | Custom | 2015

30.13m | Ferretti yachts | 2023

30.12m | Inace | 2006

30.1m | Ferretti yachts | 2022

30m | Cnt castagnola | 2001

30m | Ferronavale | 1987

30m | Jmv | 2004

CUSTOM MADE MOTORSAILER

30m | Custom | 2005

CUSTOM MADE 30 M MOTORSAILOR

30m | Custom | 2000

30m | Baia | 2010

SPACE ODDITY

30m | Sunseeker | 2003

30m | Custom steel motoryacht | 2021

29.87m | Azimut yachts | 2003

GOLDEN EAGLE

29.87m | Broward | 1989

29.87m | Riva | 2021

29.87m | Destiny | 2001

1968 US NAVY PATROL BOAT

29.87m | Us navy | 1968

29.87m | Hargrave | 2008

29.8m | Sunseeker | 2010

NOMAD 95 SUV

29.77m | Gulf craft inc | 2024

29.76m | Nomad | 2024

2004 AZIMUT 98 LEONARDO

29.74m | Azimut yachts | 2004

29.7m | Ferretti yachts | 2009

29.7m | Ferretti custom line | 2009

29.56m | Ferretti yachts | 2009

29.56m | Trans world | 2003

29.56m | Marlow | 2012

2001 BROWARD RAISED PILOTHOUSE MY

29.56m | Broward | 2100

29.48m | Cl yachts | 2022

29.41m | Hargrave | 2004

DON'T TELL MOM

29.26m | Sanlorenzo | 2020

29.26m | Sanlorenzo | 2022

29.26m | Nordlund | 1994

29.26m | Monte carlo yachts | 2021

NEW GLADIATOR 961 SPEED

29.2m | Canados | 2024

FERRETTI YACHTS 960

29.2m | Ferretti yachts | 2017

LA FAMILIA II

29.1m | Princess yachts | 2021

29.1m | Sanlorenzo | 2016

29.08m | Arcadia yachts | 2025

29.06m | Sanlorenzo | 2023

29.05m | Intermarine | 2001

29m | Norida van dam | 2003

29m | Cnb yachts | 2008

BERING 92 PAPILLON

29m | Bering yachts | 2022

MR. K IRISTON

28.98m | Sunseeker | 2021

28.96m | Bugari | 2002

SUNSEEKER 95 PREDATOR

28.96m | Sunseeker | 2002

If there are no brokerage yachts available on the market, you can get in touch with our brokers to find an off market one or build a new one. 

YACHTS FOR SALE

YACHTS FOR CHARTER

CHARTER MANAGEMENT

[email protected]  

+377 97 77 67 57

SEO by The Agency

REQUEST OFF MARKET YACHTS

Leave us your contact detail and our team will be in touch shortly to provide you with your quick request.

Yachts for sale

Selling a yacht

Recent Sale

Charter Guide

The Navetta 30 is the new superyacht in the Custom Line displacement range that marries comfort and safety with personalisation and seaworthiness. Her groundbreaking design bristles with the explosive energy of a true masterpiece, based on a paradigm that defines the state of the art on a quest for absolute wellbeing for owner and guests. At 28.43 m long and 7.3 m in the beam, the Navetta 30 is ambitious in size but rides the waves with a gossamer elegance that speaks eloquently of liberty and grace.

Beyond the line. the new dimension of design

The Navetta 30 goes beyond the line to describe an entirely new one: crisp, strong, a watershed, a line of no return. A living work of art that defies trends, confounds expectations and lays down a whole new language of design, a torchbearer for future generations of yachts. Classic lines meet contemporary art in an endless harmony of fluidity and poise. 28.43 m overall length | 7.31 m maximum beam

The names behind the design

Conceived in a collaboration between Ferretti Group’s Product Strategy and Engineering teams, the Navetta 30 is a displacement yacht of exceptional pedigree. She is the first Custom Line creation with external design by architect Filippo Salvetti and interior styling by architecture studio Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel.

Bursting into the blue

In the exterior design, the generous volumes balance beautifully with the exciting originality of the flowing, elegant lines. Their emphatic horizontal development lends the profile a decisive dynamic élan while maintaining the timeless classic feel. The hull lines extend this vigour to the bow, assuring enviable performance with enhanced fuel-efficiency. And the joints with the upper deck have been raised to add verve to the volumes and separate the bottom and superstructure into two distinct parts, united in an unmistakable harmony of design.

Space for the spirit

The Navetta 30’s wide-body configuration offers 3 decks – a major achievement for a yacht in this segment. This masterpiece of nautical art vaunts a spirit that is eager for the sea and generous external spaces that provide a haven for relaxation, contemplation and convivial good times. With large windows in the hull, over 2 metres of deck headroom and ample areas at both stern and bow, the Navetta 30 embraces the horizon with a panoramic open vista stretching in all directions. The main deck and the lower deck with the VIP cabins become spaces for savouring the sensation of it all, immersed in the allure of the blue. The upper-deck lunch area is a paean to sociable living, as is the glorious large sundeck that opens up to the endless sky.

Amenity and aesthetics in perfect harmony

The interiors have been designed to play off the lines of the hull. The style innovations aboard the Navetta 30 include the ingenious accommodation solutions, allowing the interior and exterior to be experienced like complementary layouts that flow together in a coherent, well-structured continuum. Everything is designed to maximise the usable space and make the areas as amenity-rich as possible.

Style, revived

The interior style provides a fresh, modern take on the traditional nautical archetypes. Here too, the classical signature remains in the curved lines, the window frames and the use of teak but with a novel contemporary twist. The aesthetic becomes dynamic, with new carbon details, sophisticated lacquering, striped fabrics in ultramarine, and customised textures with quartz powder coatings on fibreglass. It all contributes to a sporty-chic feel infused with the harmonious elegance of a great classic.

Exclusive furnishings

The furnishing solutions – exclusive to this yacht – are an integral part of her aesthetic style. They were tailor-made from natural leather and solid or multi-layer wood using sophisticated artisanal techniques. There is a choice of two moods: textured, for a fresher, more youthful flavour, and wooden, with a sharper, more classic feel where wood takes centre stage again.

Art and technology

Innovation is the defining theme on board the Navetta 30. The entire design is rated category CE, class A, with low consumption and best-in-segment performance. But technology is also about cruising pleasure: the Navetta 30 features stabilising fins and optional seakeepers for consummate comfort while at anchor. The unrivalled soundproofing has been achieved through mathematical analysis to measure every source of sound and the use of a floating floor to reduce engine noise and soften the footsteps in the guest areas.

Technical Specifications

Unladen displacement, laden displacement, people on board, transmission, cruise speed, economic cruising speed, range at economic cruising speed, crew cabins, bathrooms in crew quarter.

Custom Line Navetta 30

Custom line range.

Planing Line

Custom Line 140'

Custom Line 125' Project

Custom Line 120'

Custom Line 106'

Navetta Line

Custom Line Navetta 42

Custom Line Navetta 38 New

Custom Line Navetta 33

Aluminium Alloy

Custom Line 50 Project

Contact us to find more

I have read and understood the privacy statement

I consent to receive promotional messages from the Data Controller on its own behalf or for Ferretti Group companies

I consent to receive promotional messages from Ferretti on its own behalf or from Ferretti Group companies, including from outside the EU (Allied Marine), with disclosure of data.

I consent to being profiled based on my purchase preferences in order to receive personalised promotional messages.

Cookies on our site

For more information

Cookie Center

This website uses technical cookies, which are necessary for you to browse it and which help us to provide the service. With your consent, we use profiling cookies to offer you an increasingly agreeable browsing experience, to facilitate interaction with our social-media features, and to enable you to receive marketing messages tailored to your browsing habits and interests. To accept all profiling cookies, click ACCEPT ; to decline, click REFUSE . For more information about the cookies we use, please see our Cookie Policy.

always active

Designed by: Armando Testa

Engineered by: Yodigito srls

Superyachts of 30m (98 ft) In Length

• Inspiration

Adapt your search results here:

La morocha | from eur€ 110,000/wk.

ALLURES | From EUR€ 55,000/wk

DE LISLE II

Gullet Sagapo | From EUR€ 14,000/wk

Wavelength | From EUR€ 35,000/wk

Thalassi | Enquire for Pricing

LIMITLESS | From US$ 52,950/wk

Power REWIND | From EUR€ 26,000/wk

NANOU | From EUR€ 60,000/wk

Motor Sailor Vera | From EUR€ 28,000/wk

Liberte IV | From US$ 35,000/wk

HAVANA OF LONDON | From US$ 40,000/wk

LEOPARD 3 | From EUR€ 49,500/wk

Farewell | From EUR€ 35,000/wk

Irishman | From EUR€ 30,000/wk

ENCORE | From US$ 60,000/wk

VIRAGO | From US$ 62,500/wk

CRYSTAL | From EUR€ 54,000/wk

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Best performance yachts: Our pick of the top options

• Toby Hodges
• March 10, 2023

Toby Hodges takes a look at all the nominees and the winner of the performance yachts 2022 category in the European Yacht of the Year Awards

The European Yacht of the Year awards is the most thorough and impartial awards programme – the winners here are widely considered the best yachts of the year . As such the boats nominated by the jury in the performance yachts category can be considered the best of the best.

This year’s shortlist had the full range. From the more conventional definitive style of performance cruiser to the contemporary French interpretation of a lightweight planing cruiser – and even a new brand of sports  catamarans  for the thrill seekers.

Three Italian pure performance yachts and two very different yachts built in Slovenia made for a varied and exciting Performance Yachts category.

Best performance yachts

Winner best performance yachts 2023 – beneteau first 36.

Where once we could assume a cruiser-racer was a fairly standard format design, over the last decade it’s been much more the sexy, perormance yachts the Italian yards specialise in. But as French yards like Pogo and JPK have proven, there’s growing enthusiasm for lightweight planing yachts – and the First 36 is the first real production yacht in that spirit.

Here’s a yacht that puts the focus firmly back into sailing. The First 36 has been kept inviting and approachable – unlike many yachts that can plane, the look is modest, not aggressive. It’s uncomplicated, unfussy and the result is a pleasure for all to sail. It’s more about what you can’t see, the design and engineering, which should ensure longterm demand.

The small, fiddly heads compartment and lack of tiller options are perhaps the only real detraction from an otherwise brilliant collaboration by Seascape and Beneteau, from concept to build quality.

It was their goal to keep this area of the market relevant and prove a mainstream brand can do it, rather than only niche specialist yards. To create a mass produced yacht at this weight and to this foam-cored quality and one that can bring so much fun is a feather in the cap of the First brand.

Grand Soleil 40

The Grand Soleil 40 is an archetypal Med cruiser-racer, and an absolute delight to sail – a feature I’ve learned that Matteo Polli designs tend to share (he also drew the Ecoracer). We sailed the race set up with ORC keel (an IRC version is available too) and six winches, an extended bowsprit and a taller mast. It was one of my most memorable trials of the season in 10-12 knots, with the deep and forward positioned rudder giving plenty of control and lovely direct steering.

The three cabin interior can have one or two heads and different galley options, the cabins are a good size with modest stowage, and it’s all tastefully styled by masters Nauta.

Italia yachts 12.98

At 5ft longer and from the board of Cossutti (who Polli once worked under), the Italia Yachts 12.98 is another cruiser-racer in the same grain as the GS40, but with a markedly different looking white interior. We sailed the ‘Bellissima’ cruising version, which 80% of customers have opted for.

Italia’s yard is now in Fano and its one-shot infused vinylester build looks impressive. However, the deck lacks some refinement and practical stowage, while the three cabin interior isn’t voluminous by today’s standards.

This is a slippery yacht that has a lovely, light feel on the single rudder – the interior styling will be the deal breaker for most.

Solaris Yachts on the other hand has perfected its recipe, tripling its yard size to cater to demand for its sexy Acebal-designed performance yachts.

The Solaris 50 we tested in 2015 and which won this award was arguably the turning point that propelled the brand’s popularity. The owner of the new 50 we tested previously had the original 50 and a 58 and confirms this replacement has nearly the same space as the 58, yet is faster, more powerful and stable than its predecessor (we easily matched 7-8 knot winds under gennaker).

It heels onto its chine and accelerates well, while twin rudders provide ample control. The design prioritises helming experience but the yard needs to come up with a better helm seat option. The interior is well executed, especially the spacious forward owner’s cabin.

The Elan E6 is a big 47-footer, high and beamy and one that leans more towards spirited cruising with generous accommodation over racing. That said, extensive options allow you to tailor it either way, including foam cored furniture and a taller carbon mast for those looking for extra oomph.

It’s a fine collaboration between Humphreys Yacht Design, Gurit, Pininfarina and Elan, while an impressive standard spec includes a carbon sprit and six winches.

The E6 is fun to sail at various angles and gives a nice, sporty feel on the helm – it likes to heel but has plenty of grip and tracks well.

The cockpit is deep and comfortable, with good optional protection and there’s ample deck stowage. A really smart three (or four) cabin interior shows a high standard of construction, finish and styling. It is bulky and you pay for the size in weight, but it looks good and Elan knows how to build a great boat for the price.

Best performance yachts 2022

Winner best performance yachts 2022 – jpk 39fc.

Along with fellow Brittany yard Pogo, JPK has redefined the modern performance cruiser: stiff, stable and efficient to the max. For the keen sailor who wants to get the utmost enjoyment out of hands-on cruising, the JPK 39 is a superb design (and to my eye, an appealing one too), while the yard has done a nice job with the vacuum-infused construction and interior fit-out. The two-cabin version we sailed had plenty of stowage too.

It looks different, behaves beautifully and stands up to its canvas, is designed to sail efficiently with a loaded displacement, and has a deck set-up to encourage you to trim it to your heart’s content. My only slight negative is the unnerving mess the cockpit can become as there are so many control lines.

This lightweight blast will best suit experienced sailors and those comfortable with short-handed sailing. And it guarantees smiles.

Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/European Yacht of the Year

One such sports catamaran is the IC36, an exciting first offering from a new Czech brand that’s packed with fresh thinking. The first turbo version of this cruising catamaran (Independence) is built using a carbon fibre crossbeam, bowsprit, boards and rudders, epoxy hulls, plus a custom Pauger rotating mast, which all serve to keep weight below three tonnes.

It provided some spirited sailing, particularly when fetching at a measured pace of 10-13.5 knots with the code 0. The direct feel of tiller steering while seated in the low rotating bucket seats was a highlight.

The finish quality in the hulls is first class and there is somehow space for up to eight berths. The coachroof features a retractable bimini and removable vinyl side panels and solar panels, while the cockpit table, which includes an exterior galley, is also removable.

In fact the IC36 can be dismantled to 2.55m beam to make it legally trailable. It has so many options and ideas – too many perhaps – all reflected in the price.

Monohull enthusiasts will share our congratulations to J-Boats for its elegant new flagship. The J/45 won the hearts of the jury and made for a long drawn out decision against the JPK. In the end the two yachts will appeal to different sailors and tastes.

J has stayed true to its roots, yet still managed to bring a current, classy new offering. The unmistakable Alan Johnstone lines have been paired with a contemporary, warm European interior designed by Isabelle Racopeau, while much focus has been paid to the joinerwork and the invisible quality. We saw the two cabin version, which has an excellent technical cabin in place of the second aft cabin.

The J/45 is designed to still perform when loaded with cruising gear. True to J’s reputation, it was a witch upwind and could outpoint anything else during our trials. The compromise is that it won’t plane easily like a JPK or Pogo.

The Solaris 40 is another looker from Soto Acebal and the blue steel metallic hull colour of the test boat made the powerful hull shape really stand out.

We liked the recessed traveller, direct steering to the twin rudders, neat folding helm seats, clutches integrated into the coamings and the easy access to the side decks. However, the jury found the cockpit with its short benches and deck design a little too flat and minimalist.

The interior is smart and contemporary, again offered with two or three cabins with two heads it makes good use of the space.

One of the yachts I was looking forward to sailing most was the Pogo 44, and the only one shortlisted that I didn’t manage to! A collision with the photographer’s RIB shortly before my scheduled trial put it out of action.

However, my colleague Rupert Holmes did a full Pogo 44 test and report on it for Yachting World and describes the 44 as designed to thrill and unlike any other pure cruising yacht of its size. The stability from the beamy hull and deep lifting keel combines brilliantly with the ability to sail fast easily and in comfort. However some jury members didn’t like having to rely on an autopilot to use winches.

The interior is like a loft apartment, with so much natural light – it’s minimalist yet comfortable, spacious and practical for cruising.

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

• Yachts for Charter
• Best Yachts for Charter 100ft (30m)

Best 100ft (30m) Yachts for Charter

173 yachts for charter.

Book your 100ft (30-meter) superyacht in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean with N&J and enjoy a charter experience that exceeds expectations. A 30-meter yacht charter offers a wonderful private vacation with family and friends, including exclusive experiences, unmatched levels of privacy, and a dedicated crew to meet your needs.

Sorry, there were no results found for your search.

Rent a 30-meter yacht

Whether you seek the elegant and modern lines of an Azimut , Sunseeker , or Benetti motor yacht or wish to harness the power of mother nature aboard a Perini Navi , Oyster, or Sunreef luxury sailing yacht, the team at N&J can connect you with your ideal 30-meter charter yacht.

N&J has a refined selection of motor , sailing , and catamaran yachts for rent at 100ft and above with a dedicated captain and crew. If you are yachting for the first time, this is a great size to start.

100ft yachts for charter are smaller than larger displacement yachts but boast stability, speed, all the toys, and great break-out spaces for a family reunion or a party of friends. They often have a lower draft, which means easier access to small ports of call and remote beaches, while they are also more fuel-efficient than a larger boat.

If you require three , four , or five cabins, a 30-meter superyacht is a great vessel for exploring popular blue water havens such as the Mediterranean and the Caribbean . The cabin layout can be adapted for 4-10 guests with clever layouts for different groups.

Discover N&J’s global fleet of 30-meter / 98ft yachts for charter, including crewed sailing yachts, catamarans, and motor boats by pedigree shipbuilders. Our luxury yachts have gorgeous interiors and comfortable cabins, including en-suite bathrooms. They also feature spacious sun and aft decks for soaking up the sun, fishing , relaxing, and dining. A 30-meter yacht charter typically costs around US$50,000 per week, plus additional fees for berthing, food & provisions, and fuel.

Advantages of chartering a 100 ft (30 meter) yacht:

• Access to beaches and smaller bays
• More cost-effective
• Easier to navigate
• More personalized service
• More intimate experience

Find out about yacht charter with N&J here.

Contact A Yacht Charter Broker

Proud to be part of the MarineMax family

© 2024 Northrop & Johnson

• BOAT OF THE YEAR
• Newsletters
• Sailboat Reviews
• Boating Safety
• Sails and Rigging
• Maintenance
• Sailing Totem
• Sailor & Galley
• Living Aboard
• Destinations
• Gear & Electronics
• Charter Resources
• Ultimate Boating Giveaway

Best Small Cruiser, 30 feet and Under: Beneteau First 30

• By Bill Springer
• Updated: December 9, 2010

Beneteau First 30 BOTY winner

As they approached the First 30 to conduct their dockside evaluation during the boat show, the BOTY judges may have been just a little skeptical of this performance-oriented 30-footer’s cruisability. But that skepticism turned into appreciation as soon as they stepped below, and they were downright enamored with how the boat sailed. As a result, the Beneteau First 30 was named the Best Small Cruiser, 30 Feet and Under.

It’s not easy to include all the accommodation features that make for comfortable cruising—standing headroom, full-size head and galley, decent nav station, roomy saloon, and good-size sleeping cabins—in a 30-footer that’s also good-looking and whip fast under sail, but the First 30 does just that. The main saloon is bright and airy, and it’s also much more creature-comfort oriented than what you might find on older 30-foot performance cruisers. The cabins have ample bunks and adequate stowage. Nearly 6 feet of headroom in the saloon creates a good sense of space, while the light-colored varnished woodwork and clean lines are downright stylish.

Meanwhile, during the test sail, none of the judges wanted to give up the tiller because the boat was just so fun and responsive. The dual rudders provided superior control, even when the heel angle increased in the puffs, and the judges noted how this little thoroughbred sliced to windward at 6.5 knots in 12 knots of breeze. The judges found the cockpit to be comfortable and the sail controls to be well planned and efficient. A tweak here and there was rewarded by another quarter of a knot, though it was just as tempting to contemplate the benefits of simply setting the sheets and then humming along for 20 or 30 miles on a coastal cruise.

Winning Details

• The use of space throughout the interior is excellent.
• The boat’s torpedo bulb keel, powerful sail plan, and dual rudders make the First both fast and forgiving.
• The boat significantly ups the ante regarding what’s currently available in the 30-foot-and-under range.

To read more Cruising World reviews of Beneteau sailboats, click here . To visit Beneteau America’s website, click here .

• More: beneteau , Boat of the Year , coastal , keelboat , monohull , sailboat , Sailboats
• More Sailboats

Pre-Owned: 1988 Hylas 47

Catalina Introduces the 6 Series

Sailboat Preview: Elan GT6 Explorer

For Sale: 1984 Camper & Nicholsons 58

Galápagos: A Paradise Worth the Paperwork

Around Alone

Grease the Wheels of Your Boat: A Guide to Proper Lubrication

A Bowsprit Reborn: A DIY Renovation Story

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Email Newsletters
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

Practical Boat Owner

• Digital edition

Best cruising boats under 30 feet: Is this the ideal size for a yacht?

• Peter Poland
• April 14, 2022

Peter Poland picks out some of the best cruising boats under 30ft, arguably the ideal size for coastal and occasional offshore sailing

Cruising boats of around 30ft can often become a ‘boat for life’. Having graduated from dinghies to small cruisers, many sailors decide that something around 30ft will give them enough space, headroom, comfort and seagoing ability to see out their sailing days.

Sometimes a crew of young children may push them into something bigger for a while, but many sailors find that around 30ft is an ideal size for coastal and occasional offshore sailing.

Budget is also usually an important factor. Some GRP cruising boats around 30ft date back to the 1960s. But times change and precious few new models of this size are being built today.

A Hunter Horizon 30, Aljara , in Torbay – a lift up tiller gives a roomy cockpit. Photo: Duncan Kent

So if you want a 30-foot cruising boat you’ll probably end up with a second-hand yacht and can be looking at age differences of up to 60 years; with correspondingly different prices. Some sailors relish the process of renovating an older yacht, while others want one that is in good condition and raring to go.

When you start looking for a good second-hand cruising boat around 30ft, the choices are wide and varied. There are so many options that it’s easy to become confused. Not only were a lot of different models built, the variations between types, styles and levels of performance became more defined around the 30ft mark.

The options below are from all across Europe, but we’ve also covered the best 30ft French boats , the best 30ft British boats , the best 30ft German boats and the best 30ft boats from Scandinavia .

Article continues below…

Best Hallberg-Rassy sailboats: The evolution of a Swedish sailing icon

Hallberg-Rassy has been in the same family ownership since Christoph Rassy bought Harry Hallberg’s boatbuilding business in 1972 and formed…

The best advice money can’t buy – Dave Selby’s first lesson of boat ownership

If you’re thinking of buying your first boat – and quite possibly your last – you should get a Sailfish…

Best cruising boats under 30 feet: Focusing the search

As time passed three different types evolved: middle of the road family cruisers ( fin, twin and lifting keel ); older style long keeled cruisers ; and lighter cruiser-racers (often IOR-influenced after the late 1970s).

So it becomes ever more important to have a clear idea of what size and type of cruiser you want. As we often said to clients who were considering buying one of our Hunters, you need to answer some basic questions before deciding on your ideal yacht: what sort of sailing are you planning?; where?; with whom?; and how often? We reckoned that many people ended up by buying bigger boats than they actually needed.

Three of the earliest GRP production yachts built fell into the 28-30ft bracket and – even if a degree of restoration work is necessary – all are excellent designs.

The Pionier 9 is a good seagoing yacht. Photo: SailingScenes.com

The Dutch 9.10m Pionier 9 – often spelt Pioneer 9 in English – was designed by van de Stadt and the first production GRP yacht in Europe. More than 600 were built after the first was launched in 1959. UK versions were moulded by Tylers and finished by Southern Ocean Shipyard in Poole.

The Pionier’s hull configuration of a fin keel and separate spade rudder was well ahead of the game at that time. With a beam of just 2.4m she’s not spacious by modern standards but a practical four berth layout, generous cockpit, displacement/length ratio (DLR) of 235 and sail area/displacement (SA/Disp) ratio of 19.1 combine to make the Pionier a good seagoing yacht and a delight to sail.

A well maintained example makes an excellent performance cruiser, as confirmed by one owner on a discussion forum who wrote: ‘The Pionier 9 is a strong and seaworthy boat. Aziz was sailed single-handed non-stop from UK to US [from Milford Haven to Newport in 1971 in 45 days] by Nicolette Milnes-Walke r – the first woman to achieve this…

‘My father and I have owned our Pionier 9 for about 32 years now and she still sails well against more modern boats and the quality of build means they suffer very few problems.’

The Elizabethan 29, built by Peter Webster, has a graceful counter. Photo: SailingScenes.com

Best cruising boats under 30 feet: Long keel designs

The great British designer Kim Holman was responsible for two other exceptional yachts in this early GRP era; the 1960 Elizabethan 29 and 1964 Twister 28. Unlike the Pionier, both of these have traditional long keels.

The Elizabethan (built by Peter Webster) has a graceful counter while the Twister (moulded by Tylers and finished by various builders such as Uphams and Universal Shipyard) hangs its rudder on a transom stern, and the latter is a smidge wider (8ft 1in), longer on the waterline, (21ft 6in) and heavier (9,968lb). Both have four berth layouts with amidships heads and both are a delight to sail.

I was lucky enough to be a regular crew on an Elizabethan in the 1960s, and enjoyed regular sailing on a Twister this century. If I had to risk a comparison I’d say the latter has few equals when slicing upwind in a blow into a chop, while the former is one of the most slippery ladies I have ever steered downwind. Both sail in classic regattas and are snug and practical to live aboard – albeit without stern cabins.

A delight to sail, the Twister 28 has a traditional long keel and hangs its rudder on a transom stern. Photo: Graham Snook/Yachting Monthly

Both attract admiring looks wherever they sail. They’re high on my list of all-time favourites and make great buys if you don’t want a floating caravan and don’t mind a bit of maintenance work from time to time.

Earlier Twisters have a high-maintenance wooden coachroof, while later ones are all GRP. And – as with any elderly yacht – look for one with a replacement engine and renewed rigging.

Elizabethan 30

Peter Webster came up with another timeless yacht in 1968. The Elizabethan 30 (and later 9m sister, both designed by the great David Thomas) were fast cruisers inspired by the Half Ton Cup.

With a beam of 9ft 3in, it offers reasonable space down below while a generous ballast ratio of 48%, SA/Disp ratio of 19.2 and moderate DLR of 235 ensure excellent performance and easy handling; especially when compared to modern cruisers with wide sterns and towering topsides. What’s more, it is a lovely looking yacht.

The Elizabethan 30 Mistweave . Photo: SailingScenes.com

Hugo Morgan-Harris of consulting surveyors Saunders Morgan Harris told me; “I brought my Liz 30 in 1998 as a classic GRP cruising/racing boat. She had an old RCA Dolphin petrol engine, rotten alloy mast, tired rigging and no deck fittings.

“The interior was a mess and all of the systems were original. As I was boatbuilding at the time I thought that I’d have a go! Now we have a new Yanmar 2GM, electrics, nav gear, Lewmar windows, toilet, fridge, wireless auto helm, boom, vang etc.”

If you can buy a tired boat cheaply enough, this sort of investment is worth the money. Having owned and loved the boat for some 20 years, Hugo sold her and bought and restored (in his garden!) a tired Sigma 38. So, like many others, he has stuck to David Thomas designs.

Spinnaker drop during Round the Island 2010 for Nicholson 303 Nutcracker . Photo: SailingScenes.com

Best cruising boats under 30 feet: Wide beam accommodation

As the 70s got under way, the high profile Half Ton Cup seemed to cast its spell over ever more 30ft cruisers. The Nicholson 30, Ron Holland-designed Nicholson 303, Doug Petersen-designed Contessa 28 and Contention 30, Fred Parker Javelin 30, Dick Carter-designed Carter 30, S&S-designed She 31 and Kim Holman-designed Hustler 30 and UFO 31 all offered wide beam accommodation, fin keels and well above average performance.

Some were better built than others. For my money the Tyler-moulded and Landamores-finished Hustler 30 or Nicholson 303 are the pick of this bunch if you are in the market for a 30-footer that sails well (albeit twitchily on a heavy weather reach or run with too much canvas aloft), has a good seagoing layout and looks classy.

Reverting to more classic long-keelers built around the same time, I came across an internet thread that sparked a flurry of interesting comments. The opening post was: “I am looking to make a first yacht purchase and would appreciate thoughts on the variations between a Victoria 30, a Halmatic 30 or a Nicholson 31. I am keener on the more classic style of yacht than on newer boats and [want] a long keel; with a view to longer or ocean trips in the future.”

The John Sharp-designed Halmatic 30. Photo: SailingScenes.com

Those looking for a boat of this character should have these three on their list. The John Sharp-designed Halmatic 30 (and similar Barbican 30) is 22ft 10in on the waterline, has 9ft 6in beam, draws 4ft 6in, displaces 9,000lb with a 50% ballast ratio, 338 DLR and 15.95 SA/Disp ratio.

The Chuck Paine-designed Victoria 30 has a canoe stern and similar dimensions but is appreciably lighter at 8,867lb with a 31% ballast ratio and DLR of 311. Raymond Wall’s classy Nicholson 31 (30ft 6in), on the other hand, is a little longer, wider (10ft 3in) and heavier (13,005lb) with a ballast ratio of 37% and DLR of 411. Like the Halmatic 30, it has a transom-hung rudder giving the look of an elegant overgrown Folkboat or Twister.

Personal preference

My favourite from this trio would be a well-maintained Nicholson 31. One owner put it well, responding to the thread: “I can’t give an unbiased opinion, because I’ve owned my Nic 31 from new in 1982…

A well-maintained Nicholson 31 is an exceptional yacht. Photo: SailingScenes.com

“She has sailed transatlantic (Maine to Ireland, averaging just over 5 knots for the entire, comfortable, passage) and was great for living aboard for six seasons (cruising three months at a time) in northern European waters. Fabulous boat… Almost any used boat will need to be updated. Just start with a good foundation.” Which about says it all.

He later told me “We had a variety of weather conditions [on the transatlantic trip] and the combination of full keel and great sail balance allowed the wind vane to steer straight in all but the lightest air, even downwind… She’s the perfect small blue water (for two to four crew) and coastal cruising (for two) boat.”

However as designs progressed and production methods evolved, going offshore ceased to be the sole preserve of old fashioned-style long-keel boats. Many modern family boats such as a Westerly, Hunter, Sadler, Moody, or more recent Beneteaus, Jeanneaus and Bavarias in the 28-32ft size range offered ample scope for coastal and offshore cruising.

The advantage of this type of boat is that it tends to be newer, more spacious, easy to handle and can also be easier to sell when the time comes to move on. There is a much wider choice because they were made in the hundreds. Once again condition and equipment are important.

Paradise Seeker , a Moody 31 sailing on the River Tay near Dundee. Photo: Dundee Photographics/Alamy

The Bill Dixon-designed Moody 31 (LOA 30ft 9in) Mk1 and Mk2 models (with fin or twin keels) were built from 1983 to 1991 and are good examples. A beam of 10ft 6in, weight of 9,966lb, ballast ratio of 37%, DLR of 270 and SA/Disp ratio of 15 put it firmly in the camp of modern, capable and roomy family cruisers.

Despite highish freeboard, it looks sleek and well styled. And of course its modern layout with aft heads, stern cabin and practical L-shaped galley was an instant hit with cruising families. One owner said “I had always fancied a Contessa 32 but after a trial sail, my wife was not impressed. Too uncomfortable! At the Boat Show we saw the Moody 31. My wife liked the space and comfort and it looked a good sea boat to me. Not as fast as the Contessa perhaps but I wasn’t really a racing man.”

This owner later proved his Moody 31’s ability offshore by joining a Royal Cornwall YC rally to the Azores. On the racing front, I used to crew on a fin keel Moody 31 Mk1 that picked up plenty of pots in Hamble-based handicap races.

A member of the Moody Owners Association endorsed the Moody 31’s qualities saying he had owned his 31from new in 1990, adding: “We have sailed the local rivers and across to Holland, Belgium and France. The boat is almost a member of the family and… it’s large enough to accommodate six but can be sailed single-handed.

“It’s a sturdy boat that will hold up against many faster types if sailed correctly. The oversized 28hp engine will push it through a steep chop at 6 knots. Over a quarter of a century, I discovered how well the boat has been made… It has never let me down and I love sailing her.”

Saloon of the ever-popular Laurent Giles-designed Konsort 29. Photo: Bob Aylott/myclassicboat.com

Westerly Konsort 29

Westerly came up with one of its most successful 28-30ft cruisers in the 1980s. Over 700 of the ever-popular Laurent Giles-designed Konsort 29 were built and these tough cruisers are still much sought after.

Its vital statistics of 10ft 9in beam, 8516lb weight, 37.5% ballast ratio, 229 DLR and 15 SA/Disp ratio are on a par with many of its contemporaries.

The Konsort’s conventional accommodation – featuring amidships heads and aft galley and nav area – is practical and solidly finished, making it an archetypical middle-of-the-road family cruiser.

And for those who prefer a deck saloon offering panoramic views from the warm and dry, the Duo version also has many attractions.

A former commodore of the Westerly Association told me that when he bought his twin keel Konsort he sought out a boat that incorporated the revised hull reinforcement system Westerly adopted after early production.

He added that: “The boat sails well provided there is sufficient breeze to get her going. A cruising chute helps in light airs. When the wind pipes up the performance is good, with a reef in the main around Force 5. The Konsort is very much a cruising boat so we have never expected her to point high, but you sail according to the characteristics of your boat. When required the 24hp Bukh diesel will take care of any lack of wind.

“We sail in the English Channel, the Channel Islands and adjacent coast of France. We have had no unexpected problems with the boat… a choice well made and never regretted.”

The later 30ft 6in Westerly Tempest, designed by Ed Dubois, was a very different concept. Its unusual accommodation featured two double cabins aft and a heads compartment in the eyes of the yacht. By Westerly standards, its sales total of 107 wasn’t a runaway success. But it has a lot to offer; as does its revamped Regatta 310 near sister.

Unusually for a 30ft 6in yacht, the Westerly Tempest has two double cabins aft and a heads in the forepeak. Photo: SailingScenes.com

The Sadler 29 was another winner from the 1980s. Martin Sadler told me: “The 29 appeared at the 1981 Earls Court boat show. She was offered with fin or twin keels and the mix was about 60/40 in favour of the latter.

“Our demonstration boat had twins and it surprised people how well she sailed [understandable because these twins are shapely, well positioned and draw 3ft 8in]. The design concept of the 29 was to achieve a larger internal volume for overall length than the Sadler 25 and 32, and she has accommodation very similar to the 32.”

Designer David Sadler got the balance between comfort and performance right: 28ft 5in overall, waterline 22ft 10in, beam 9ft 6in, weight 8,200lb, 41.5% ballast ratio, 307 DLR and 14.68 SA/Disp ratio. Sailors loved her and around 400 were built.

‘Another winner from the 80s’; the Sadler 29. Photo: Patrick Eden/Alamy

Her spacious accommodation with amidships heads, good galley and chart table and cosy quarter berth appealed to traditionalists and modernists alike. What’s more the inner mouldings conceal enough foam buoyancy to make the boat float and sail if flooded, if the foam’s still sound.

One Sadler 29 owner summed up what to look for, saying: “The advice when buying boats of this age is to spend a bit more on one that has been sorted, ie recent new engine, sails, standing rigging, cushions etc, rather than getting a tatty boat cheaper, and then spending a fortune.

“We like the foam filled construction, not least because it massively reduces condensation compared to other boats I’ve sailed (and slept) on. The downside is the boat is rather smaller than other 29-footers down below.”

The later Stephen Jones-designed Sadler 290 never achieved the same number of buyers. Its builders folded after around 40 were produced. But that does not detract from this exceptional boat’s performance. Both twin and fin versions have lead keels and sail superbly. If you see one for sale, take a look. But it won’t be cheap.

Timothy Long sailed his Impala 28, Alchemy, solo around the UK; here between Ardrishaig and Tarbert. Photo: Peter Jeanneret/Hunter Association

Best cruising boats under 30 feet: Sportier cruisers

And what about the sportier cruisers of the 1980s and 90s? The Hunter Impala 28 (1977 onwards) has many fans to this day – Timothy Long became the youngest sailor to circumnavigate Britain solo in 2020 sailing an Impala. Designed as an Offshore One Design by David Thomas, the Impala still makes a competitive racer.

But don’t overlook its attributes as a fast cruiser. The interior is practical and simple: twin berth forepeak, enclosed heads to port amidships, galley aft of the main bulkhead to starboard and two settee berths with two pilot berths outboard in the saloon. Originally Impalas came with an outboard in a well; but most now have inboards.

The later Hunter Horizon 30 is an elongated cruising version of the Impala, with a new deck and counter stern. The interior is dramatically different, with twin berth forepeak, saloon settees and aft galley, heads compartment and double aft cabin.

Hunter Horizon 30 – an elongated cruising version of the Impala

Thanks to the superb performance of Thomas’s twin keels (3ft 10in draught with bulbed bases), most buyers chose this option. Its moderate 9ft 3in beam gives good handling and its 43% ballast ratio, 234 DLR and SA/Disp ratio of 19.8 provide sparkling performance. Indeed a twin-keeler took third overall in its CHS class against racy fin-keelers in one Round the Island Race.

Those looking for a beamier fin keel cruiser-racer might find the Thomas-designed Sigma 292 of interest. It didn’t sell in large numbers, compared to the Sigma 33, but shares many of its qualities. The Thomas-designed Hunter Channel 31 (30ft 9in) is an exceptionally quick twin-keeler and a delight to sail and live aboard; but sadly only a few were built.

And finally, going back a few years, Chris Butler’s Achilles 9m also sold well and excelled in the 1984 OSTAR, finishing in 30 days. This sporty fin-keeler has a DLR of 190, SA/Disp ratio of 15.5 and a 43% ballast ratio. A tidy example makes an excellent budget cruiser-racer.

Soulmate, a Hunter Channel 31, owned by Robin Jeavons. Photo: Sven Petersen/Hunter Association

Best cruising boats under 30 feet: Lifting keel options

If you prefer a lifting keel boat around the 30ft mark, the Tony Castro-designed Parker 31 that was built by Parker Yachts between 1987 and 1993 is worth a look. For a high performance yacht, it offers good accommodation with double berth cabins in the forepeak and aft as well as a spacious heads.

Its vertically lifting keel has a wide wing at its base giving a low centre of gravity, a ballast ratio of 32.86% and a draught of 2ft (keel up) and 6ft (keel down). Yachting Monthly said ‘… the performance and handling are remarkable. She is very fast, unexpectedly stable and finger light on the tiller.’ The drawback is that Parker only built 30 before introducing the larger 325 and 335 models then ceased trading in 2009.

The Dick Carter-designed Southerly 95 also offers variable draught, albeit in a heavier and less performance-oriented 31ft 7in cruiser. Its cast iron grounding plate and pivoting keel give a ballast ratio of 46% and a draught of 1ft 10in (keel up) and 5ft 2in (keel down).

So with its transom-mounted rudder and its keel lifted, the 95 is ideal for drying out in secluded creeks. Down below, it offers two berths in the forepeak, a U-shaped saloon settee (convertible to a double berth), an aft heads and aft quarter berth. Most unusually, it also has an inside wheel steering position in addition to a tiller in the cockpit. It was first built in 1980.

As a general rule however, any lifting keel system on an elderly yacht needs close inspection before buying. Whether it pivots, swings or moves vertically up and down it is prone to a lot more stress and strain than a fixed keel. It can also suffer from impact damage. A thorough survey is advisable.

Class association benefit

One big advantage of these British built yachts around 30ft is that almost all have active and helpful class associations. When you are considering the purchase of a yacht whose original builder is no longer active – as is sadly the case with all these British-built yachts – a well run association is a treasure trove of helpful information and advice.

Why not subscribe today?

This feature appeared in the May 2022 edition of Practical Boat Owner . For more articles like this, including DIY, money-saving advice, great boat projects, expert tips and ways to improve your boat’s performance, take out a magazine subscription to Britain’s best-selling boating magazine.

Subscribe, or make a gift for someone else, and you’ll always save at least 30% compared to newsstand prices.

See the latest PBO subscription deals on magazinesdirect.com