13 Best Liveaboard Sailboats (under 30 & 50 ft)
Choosing a boat to live on is a big deal — something you definitely want to get right. There are plenty of options to pick from, which can make the choosing process a bit daunting. So to help you navigate those deep waters (no pun intended), here is an article summarizing the 13 best liveaboard sailboats under 30 and 50 feet.
So what are the 13 best liveaboard sailboats?
Catalina 30, pacific seacraft flicka 20, nonsuch ultra 30, aventura 34, island packet 35, peterson 44, prout snowgoose 37, gulfstar 44, beneteau oceanis 50.
Beautiful lineup, isn't it? Let me explain what makes these so special.
Picking the Right One Matters
Picking a liveaboard sailboat belongs among those kinds of decisions that require months, if not years of research and testing.
It is not like choosing a car - those are more or less the same, and although they vary widely in terms of comfort, feeling, and performance, rarely you would encounter one that wouldn't get you from point A to B reasonably.
The same goes for a house or an apartment. Regardless of if you get a 200 square foot condo or a 30,000 square feet mansion, it will most of the time provide a warm shelter with a shower and a kitchen and a bed, fulfilling its basic functions.
But this is only the case because there is extensive infrastructure in place helping cars and houses. A car can only get you from A to B thanks to roads. A house can only have a shower and a kitchen if it is connected to a grid.
But on a boat, you are on your own.
The sea doesn't adjust its waves for your comfort. If something breaks, there is usually not a repair shop nearby. You aren't always connected to water or electricity. And if you don't like what you see around yourself, it's not like you can just leave.
So a liveaboard boat needs to provide what a house does, what a vehicle does, and more, plus it needs to provide this regardless of if you are docked in a marina or in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. That is a lot to ask, especially if we are talking about boats around 30 or 50 feet.
Fortunately, every single boat on this list is an all-star that ticks all the right boxes. Let's see why.
I know, I hear you, it isn't exciting enough as it doesn't perform that well. Sure. But we are talking about a boat that is supposed to be a house too. So why is it on the list?
This boat has been in production since 1975, which means that it has been extraordinarily well-refined according to the suggestions of thousands of owners. And this manufacturer is known for listening to the sailors' feedback. It is a very popular model, so finding spare parts for it will always be easy. Its famous well thought through the salon, and cabin layout is generous and spacious, so Catalinas are comfortable boats to live on. Plus, the boat has quite a wide beam, great ballast/displacement ratio as well as low sail area/displacement ratio, making it a stiff boat under sail, which adds to stability and comfort.
Good condition MkIII Catalinas can be found for about $35,000, but given the volume of these on the market, you can find a usable one even for around $15,000.
This one is a hero. I'd be hesitant to call such a small boat a comfortable liveaboard if it wasn't for this model. For its size, the interior is very spacious. It is also made for comfort since it seems to be inspired by the aforementioned Catalina 30. In fact, after reading some reviews, I am confident in saying that you will not find a significantly more comfortable 27 footer out there.
It also has a talent very uncommon for liveaboard boats - you can put it on a trailer, which can make your life easier when it comes to certain trips. But most importantly, it is a beauty. Just look at it.
Pricing this boat is a tricky task. You can buy nearly new ones (2015) for around $140,000, but even for $50,000, you can stumble upon models from both the 80s and the 2000s. This means the condition is a big factor, and you gotta inspect your choice well. The good news is that whatever your price in that range, you will find a boat for that money. The bad news is that the cheaper you go, the more effort will the potential repairs take.
I thought the Nor'Sea 27 is gonna be it, but let's push the size limit even more with the 20 foot Flicka, this tiny, towable, but seaworthy beast that accomplished several circumnavigations. Upon entering, you will be amazed at how spacious and equipped with amenities the interior is. Its designer lived on this boat with his partner (who too was a naval architect) for years and cruised all around the world - and what a proof of confidence in his own design that is.
Truth be told, there is a lack of deck space, but underneath it has the comfort and size of a boat a few meters larger, a space you can comfortably live in. Due to its size, it is easy to operate, tow, and sails better than what you would expect from a boat this length.
This boat is incredibly charming, and so its owners rarely sell it. In fact, it has amassed quite a following since it was designed into existence. So expect to spend quite some time searching for one for sale. Once you do find one, it will cost you around $30,000 - $40,000.
This one's a weird one. But because of it, a very spacious one. It is structured as a catboat, that is, with the mast being all the way on the front of the boat, which makes for impressive space below the deck. It has all the necessary amenities, including a shower, so for the liveaboard lifestyle, this boat definitely deserves to make this list.
The single sail catboat design also means it is easy to handle single-handed, which makes for great solitary passages.
Expect to pay around $40,000 to $60,000 for this one.
Though I am trying to keep this list in lower price ranges, I have to put this one in. If you don't mind the price tag of around $170,000, this boat is marketed as the currently cheapest liveaboard catamaran. As previously mentioned, cats offer the most in terms of space, and this model is a brand new one. Thus when it comes to service troubles and costs, you wouldn't pay much. The look is modern, relatively minimalistic and sleek, so for those of you who would like to give the liveaboard lifestyle a go but get cold feet upon seeing boats from the 80s, this is a way to make sure things remain stylish.
The modernity, space, and attention to practicality when it comes to using this as your home, make this a great entry-level liveaboard choice.
Again, this is no performance vehicle. Rather it focuses on the usual cruiser aspects - space, stability, sturdiness, and convenience, which makes it an ideal candidate for your choice when looking for a new floating home. Aside from the spacious interior, this boat also has an unusually large cockpit, great for those lunches on the deck.
As if the designers knew this might be used by the liveaboard people, this boat is easy to handle, which means even under sail, you won't have issues focusing on what you came for in the first place - sea living.
This boat can be found on the market for around $75,000 - $100,000.
The great thing about the Hunter 33 is that it was designed as more of a house than a sailboat. The attention to accommodation details is great here; there is plenty of space for sleeping the owners as well as the occasional visitors, it has a fantastic headroom throughout the boat and one of the most spacious and comfortable dining spaces seen on boats this size.
Food preparation and consumption was probably high on the priority list of the makers; the kitchen has an L shape, which adds to the convenience.
The price spread on these is quite large, with the bottom around $55,000 for the 2004 models and the top around $95,000 for the 2013 models.
This one is for those who don't mind sacrificing luxury for space. If in the middle of the ocean, it makes sense that one would want as much of usable space as possible, so if you are okay with the simplicity that will inevitably come with a system like this, you have found your match.
An undeniable advantage of such a design approach is that the storage space is maximized. Long passages with the need for plenty of room for equipment and provisions won't be a problem here. The simplicity of this boat is not just in terms of design, but even the electrics and plumbing. Thus if something breaks, you will have an easier time fixing it.
This being an older model, you can get your hands on one for around $30,000.
Since we are mostly looking at cheaper boats here, most of them aren't new - in fact, they likely have quite a few years behind them. The build quality is thus important. You want to go for builds that will last. Peterson is known for this, so it's gotta be on the list. As far as this list goes, it is quite a large boat. Moreover, it is one that has been built with spaciousness in mind, both when it comes to living spaces and storage.
A neat thing about this boat is its attention to performance. It isn't a racer; rather, it fits in the performance cruiser category, but they haven't made too many speed-related compromises here.
Peterson 44 can usually be found for $80,000 - $100,000.
There needs to be a catamaran on this list - they are, by definition, more spacious than monohulls, providing a large living area, which is, of course, an attractive characteristic for a liveaboard boat. Especially if they have a solid bridge deck, creating yet more square feet of usable space, which Snowgoose has. Unfortunately, they tend to be costly. While it is easy to recommend a bunch of half a million dollar cats, to make this list more within reach of the average sailor, I've found this beauty that you can get for around $100,000.
Aside from the extra space, this model is a true bluewater cruiser, meaning you won't be limited by its abilities when planning your journeys.
Those of you who had the pleasure of sailing this boat know why it needs to be here. It was built for a liveaboard lifestyle. Its wide body makes for one spacious interior which is well ventilated, (a very important aspect) with a beautiful galley and it has a large aft cabin with a huge bed. It was made with comfort, practicality, and convenience in mind.
Not to sound like a salesman, but believe me when I say this boat is a genuine pleasure to be on. If you want the homey feeling, you don't get much closer than this in this size range.
Expect to pay around $80,000 - $100,000 for this one, though some digging around and 'fixing her up' can knock this number down significantly.
This is another easy choice, space being the reason. Not only does it have an extra-large main cabin and salon with a kitchen, many small Parisian apartments could envy, but it is also very generous in terms of storage space. Stocking up for longer crossings will be a pleasure on this one.
Also, it was built as a racer-cruiser, so you won't be making many compromises in terms of performance, as is often the case with comfortable boats.
All of this comes for a price, though. You might be able to find one for around $100,000 if you put some time into your search and won't mind a bit of travel to see it, but otherwise, the average price is around $130,000.
Let's end this list by stretching the ceiling too with this fifty-footer. It was designed as a holiday cruiser, and it is a popular choice among charter companies. The designers know that there are places in Europe where it is very easy to get a sailing license, so many inexperienced people who don't want to give up the comforts of their home end up on these boats. Oceanis 50 is thus comfortable, spacious, easy to sail, and the attention to accommodation details, amenities, and practicality, is very high.
As such, it is designed to house whole families, so if you live there as a couple, you will have a floating house for yourself, and if kids come, no need to buy a new boat. Even on the deck, this boat is designed for pleasure cruises, so as far as that goes, you will be taken care of. As far as their seaworthiness goes, some consider Beneteau an entry-level holiday brand, and some models are indeed more designed for coastal hopping than large crossings. But that can be fixed with some proper fitting.
If you fancy a new one, you will find yourself paying above the $500,000 mark, but older models start a bit above $100,000. Which is something a person who just sold all their possessions to escape to the sea is more likely to have. Just be a bit careful with boats sold by charter companies. Their previous owners serviced them regularly, but you can be sure the hundreds of sailors that touched the helm weren't necessarily skilled or kind to them.
So there you have it. $15,000 - $50,0000 range, 20 - 50-foot sizes, from cozy towable boats to large sailing houses. A range anybody can choose from to pursue the liveaboard dream. Nothing is stopping you now, so hit the yachtworld.com website and start browsing.
Know though that if you really want to take advantage of the boat market, you might have to travel quite a bit. If you are an American, the strong dollar will make it enticing to look for a boat in European countries without the EUR currency. Or you might find plenty of cheap models in Turkey, for instance. It requires more effort, but in return, it might save you tens of thousands of dollars.
Fair winds!
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Oceanis 30.1
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Specifications
The Oceanis 30.1 is easy to sail, yet lively to helm and promises new experiences and thrills . This robust, smart little cruiser is small enough to trail, opening up endless possibilities for lake and river sailing, as well as coastal sailing and high sea adventures.
NAVAL ARCHITECT : Finot - Conq
INTERIOR and DECK DESIGNS : Nauta Design
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Exterior design
With a stemhead, hard-chine hull, well-proportioned sides and coachroof, the Oceanis 30.1 artfully resembles a small yacht.
The Finot-Conq plan has met the double challenge of power and simple navigation. With her slender bow, optimized weight, and square-top mainsail, she performs well in all points of sail.
For beginners or for short-handed sailing, the self-tacking jib and the single winch make her easy to handle. For performance, the Oceanis 30.1 has a large overlapping genoa, a furling code zero and an asymmetric spinnaker. Aft, a step affords access to the sea and can be supplemented by a small lifting platform.
Interior design
With a few extra inches won in strategic places, the Oceanis 30.1 differs from other boats thanks to a headspace of 6.5 ft in all the areas inside where it is comfortable to stand.
The two sizable double cabins each have berths running lengthwise and an open entryway making them feel particularly spacious. The two benches in the salon provide an additional place for two extra berths.
The large shower room is divided into a marine toilet on one side and shower and washbasin on the other. At the foot of the gently sloping companionway, the L-shaped galley has top and bottom storage, a 20 US Gal refrigerator and a real oven under the gas hob stove top.
FOR EVERYONE
With unbeatable living space for its size and a focus on simplicity of use, the smallest model of the cruising range is nevertheless stylish and fast, with a highly competitive, ready-to-sail price.
TRAILERABLE
With an overall size of under 30 X 10 ft and a weight of 8,000 lbs, the Oceanis 30.1 can be trailered by road, without the issues of an extra-wide load. With the lifting keel and rotating tabernacle mast version, the cruiser can sail along canals and rivers to its sailing grounds.
CHOICE OF HELM
On the Oceanis 30.1, sailors get to choose between a tiller with twin rudders for anyone seeking a few thrills or from the world of dinghy sailing, or twin steering wheels for anyone who prefers space and comfort!
FUNCTIONAL COCKPIT
The double steering wheel layout results in a wonderfully big cockpit. On either side of the large fold-away table are two large benches, which comfortably seat up to six guests.
Oceanis 30.1 Electric
Silent, comfortable and emission free, the new Oceanis 30.1e now has an all-electric propulsion system that offers a unique boating experience.
With engine power equal to 14 HP, the Torqeedo engine has a range of up to 6 hours at 4 knots.
Equipped With SEANAPPS
The easiest way to keep your boat safe and ready to cruise anytime.
The new Seanapps app is the ultimate solution to help you indulge your passion for boating. With the touch of your finger, you can easily connect, monitor and order services for your boat – from routine maintenance, to requesting a wash or fuel or having us complete a repair.
The information below is intended for general informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice and does not constitute a contractual agreement. Any descriptions, representations, or statements made in this document are not to be considered binding unless explicitly stated otherwise in a formal contractual agreement.
Length Overall
Beam overall
Light displacement
Air Draft Max
Fuel Capacity
Water Capacity
Max. engine power
Cabin Number
CE Certification
B6 / C8 / D10
Polar diagrams
Documents produced by Finot-Conq Architectes
Drifting keel
Deep draught keel - genoa
Deep draught keel - Foc autovireur
Short draught keel - foc autovireur
There are 3 ballasts available, so you can sail in your configuration of choice.
Shallow draft
Performance draft (hydraulic swing keel)
- Large benches seating six guests, with a fold away table
- Tiller or twin steering wheels on twin rudders
- Tilting mast
- Square-top mainsail
- Raymarine Electronic Pack
- EC certification: B6 / C8 / D10 (10 passengers aboard)
2 CABINS & 2 HEADS
- L-shaped fitted galley: fridge, sink, two-ring hob, oven, storage and worktop
- Lounge bench seats that convert to extra berths
- Master cabin with double berth at the bow
- Aft cabin with twin berths
- Shower room, with shower compartment and marine toilet
- Gently sloping companionway (4 steps)
HARKEN HARDWARE
Press Reviews
Cruising world.
Cruising World Judges named the BENETEAU Oceanis 30.1 the Best Performance Cruiser for 2020. Read more
NorthWest Yachting
Boat Review - Everyone is talking about the 2020 Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 and for good reason—she’s an awesome boat!
SAIL Magazine
Winner of the “small cruiser” category in SAIL magazine’s 2020 Best Boats contest. Read More
SAILING TODAY
"Easy Start" more in the April 2020 issue
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BENETEAU has decided to follow the path of innovation to reduce the environmental impact of sailing. Practical yet ground-breaking innovations that were visible on the First 44e and the Oceanis 30.1e sailing yachts world premiered at the Nautic Boat Show in Paris.
New Oceanis 30.1
Small, yet oh so big !
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Buying a BENETEAU doesn’t have to be a daunting task. We have teams of experts to guide you through the entire process – everything from sea trials, financing, and customization to after-sale commissioning, service, and maintenance. We are proud to have one of the largest, most highly-regarded dealer networks in the world. We’re ready to provide you with the assistance and expertise needed to launch you and your BENETEAU on a lifetime of happy, rewarding, and memorable voyages.
Other models in the range
10.77 m / 35’4’’
3.57 m / 11’9’’
11.93 m / 39’2’’
3.92 m / 12’10’’
12.87 m / 42’3’’
4.18 m / 13’9’’
14.6 m / 47’11’’
4.5 m / 14’9’’
15.94 m / 52’4’’
4.8 m / 15’9’’
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Home » Blog » Buy a boat » 5 best small sailboats for sailing around the world
5 best small sailboats for sailing around the world
By Author Fiona McGlynn
Posted on Last updated: April 19, 2023
A small sailboat can take you big places
Small sailboats are the ticket to going cruising NOW — not when you retire, save up enough money, or find the “perfect” bluewater cruising boat. In fact, it’s the first principle in Lin and Larry Pardey’s cruising philosophy: “Go small, go simple, go now.”
Small yachts can be affordable, simple, and seaworthy . However, you won’t see many of them in today’s cruising grounds. In three years and 13,000 nautical miles of bluewater cruising, I could count the number of under 30-foot sailboats I’ve seen on one hand (all of them were skippered by people in their 20s and 30s).
Today’s anchorages are full of 40, 50, and 60-foot-plus ocean sailboats, but that’s not to say you can’t sail the world in a small sailboat. Just look at Alessandro di Benedetto who in 2010 broke the record for the smallest boat to sail around the world non-stop in his 21-foot Mini 6.5 .
So long as you don’t mind forgoing a few comforts, you can sail around the world on a small budget .
What makes a good blue water sailboat
While you might not think a small sailboat is up to the task of going long distances, some of the best bluewater sailboats are under 40 feet.
However, if you’re thinking about buying a boat for offshore cruising, there are a few things to know about what makes a small boat offshore capable .
Smaller equals slower
Don’t expect to be sailing at high speeds in a pocket cruiser. Smaller displacement monohulls are always going to be slower than larger displacement monohulls (see the video below to learn why smaller boats are slower). Therefore a smaller cruiser is going to take longer on a given passage, making them more vulnerable to changes in weather.
A few feet can make a big difference over a week-long passage. On the last leg of our Pacific Ocean crossing, our 35-foot sailboat narrowly avoid a storm that our buddy boat, a 28-foot sailboat, couldn’t. Our friend was only a knot slower but it meant he had to heave to for a miserable three days.
Small but sturdy
If a pocket cruiser encounters bad weather, they will be less able to outrun or avoid it. For this reason, many of the blue water sailboats in this list are heavily built and designed to take a beating.
Yacht design has changed dramatically over the last 50 years. Today, new boats are designed to be light and fast. The small sailboats in our list are 30-plus year-old designs and were built in a time when weather forecasts were less accurate and harder to come by.
Back in the day, boat were constructed with thicker fiberglass hulls than you see in modern builds. Rigs, keels, rudders, hulls and decks – everything about these small cruising sailboats was designed to stand up to strong winds and big waves. Some of the boats in this post have skeg-hung rudders and most of them are full keel boats.
The pros and cons of pocket cruiser sailboats
Pocket cruiser sailboats present certain advantages and disadvantages.
More affordable
Their smaller size makes them affordable bluewater sailboats. You can often find great deals on pocket cruisers and sometimes you can even get them for free.
You’ll also save money on retrofits and repairs because small cruising sailboats need smaller boat parts (which cost a lot less) . For example, you can get away with smaller sails, ground tackle, winches, and lighter lines than on a bigger boat.
Moorage, haul-outs, and marine services are often billed by foot of boat length . A small sailboat makes traveling the world , far more affordable!
When something major breaks (like an engine) it will be less costly to repair or replace than it would be on a bigger boat.
Less time consuming
Smaller boats tend to have simpler systems which means you’ll spend less time fixing and paying to maintain those systems. For example, most small yachts don’t have showers, watermakers , hot water, and electric anchor windlasses.
On the flip side, you’ll spend more time collecting water (the low-tech way) . On a small sailboat, this means bucket baths, catching fresh water in your sails, and hand-bombing your anchor. Though less convenient, this simplicity can save you years of preparation and saving to go sailing.
Oh, and did I mention that you’ll become a complete water meiser? Conserving water aboard becomes pretty important when you have to blue-jug every drop of it from town back to your boat.
Easier to sail
Lastly, smaller boats can be physically easier to sail , just think of the difference between raising a sail on a 25-foot boat versus a 50-foot boat! You can more easily single-hand or short-hand a small sailboat. For that reason, some of the best solo blue water sailboats are quite petite.
As mentioned above small boats are slow boats and will arrive in port, sometimes days (and even weeks) behind their faster counterparts on long offshore crossings.
Consider this scenario: two boats crossed the Atlantic on a 4,000 nautical mile route. The small boat averaged four miles an hour, while the big boat averaged seven miles an hour. If both started at the same time, the small boat will have completed the crossing two weeks after the larger sailboat!
Less spacious
Living on a boat can be challenging — living on a small sailboat, even more so! Small cruising boats don’t provide much in the way of living space and creature comforts.
Not only will you have to downsize when you move onto a boat you’ll also have to get pretty creative when it comes to boat storage.
It also makes it more difficult to accommodate crew for long periods which means there are fewer people to share work and night shifts.
If you plan on sailing with your dog , it might put a small boat right out of the question (depending on the size of your four-legged crew member).
Less comfortable
It’s not just the living situation that is less comfortable, the sailing can be pretty uncomfortable too! Pocket cruisers tend to be a far less comfortable ride than larger boats as they are more easily tossed about in big ocean swell.
Here are our 5 favorite small blue water sailboats for sailing around the world
When we sailed across the Pacific these were some of the best small sailboats that we saw. Their owners loved them and we hope you will too!
The boats in this list are under 30 feet. If you’re looking for something slightly larger, you might want to check out our post on the best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet .
Note: Price ranges are based on SailboatListings.com and YachtWorld.com listings for Aug. 2018
Albin Vega 27($7-22K USD)
The Albin Vega has earned a reputation as a bluewater cruiser through adventurous sailors like Matt Rutherford, who in 2012 completed a 309-day solo nonstop circumnavigation of the Americas via Cape Horn and the Northwest Passage (see his story in the documentary Red Dot on the Ocean ).
- Hull Type: Long fin keel
- Hull Material: GRP (fibreglass)
- Length Overall:27′ 1″ / 8.25m
- Waterline Length:23′ 0″ / 7.01m
- Beam:8′ 1″ / 2.46m
- Draft:3′ 8″ / 1.12m
- Rig Type: Masthead sloop rig
- Displacement:5,070lb / 2,300kg
- Designer:Per Brohall
- Builder:Albin Marine AB (Swed.)
- Year First Built:1965
- Year Last Built:1979
- Number Built:3,450
Cape Dory 28 ($10-32K USD)
This small cruising sailboat is cute and classic as she is rugged and roomy. With at least one known circumnavigation and plenty of shorter bluewater voyages, the Cape Dory 28 has proven herself offshore capable.
- Hull Type: Full Keel
- Length Overall:28′ 09″ / 8.56m
- Waterline Length:22′ 50″ / 6.86m
- Beam:8’ 11” / 2.72m
- Draft:4’ 3” / 1.32m
- Rig Type:Masthead Sloop
- Displacement:9,300lb / 4,218kg
- Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:52
- Displacement/Length Ratio:49
- Designer: Carl Alberg
- Builder: Cape Dory Yachts (USA)
- Year First Built:1974
- Year Last Built:1988
- Number Built: 388
Dufour 29 ($7-23K)
As small bluewater sailboats go, the Dufour 29 is a lot of boat for your buck. We know of at least one that sailed across the Pacific last year. Designed as a cruiser racer she’s both fun to sail and adventure-ready. Like many Dufour sailboats from this era, she comes equipped with fiberglass molded wine bottle holders. Leave it to the French to think of everything!
- Hull Type: Fin with skeg-hung rudder
- Length Overall:29′ 4″ / 8.94m
- Waterline Length:25′ 1″ / 7.64m
- Beam:9′ 8″ / 2.95m
- Draft:5′ 3″ / 1.60m
- Displacement:7,250lb / 3,289kg
- Designer:Michael Dufour
- Builder:Dufour (France)
- Year First Built:1975
- Year Last Built:1984
Vancouver 28 ($15-34K)
A sensible small boat with a “go-anywhere” attitude, this pocket cruiser was designed with ocean sailors in mind. One of the best cruising sailboats under 40 feet, the Vancouver 28 is great sailing in a small package.
- Hull Type:Full keel with transom hung rudder
- Length Overall: 28′ 0″ / 8.53m
- Waterline Length:22’ 11” / 6.99m
- Beam:8’ 8” / 2.64m
- Draft:4’ 4” / 1.32m
- Rig Type: Cutter rig
- Displacement:8,960lb / 4,064 kg
- Designer: Robert B Harris
- Builder: Pheon Yachts Ltd. /Northshore Yachts Ltd.
- Year First Built:1986
- Last Year Built: 2007
- Number Built: 67
Westsail 28 ($30-35K)
Described in the 1975 marketing as “a hearty little cruiser”, the Westsail 28 was designed for those who were ready to embrace the cruising life. Perfect for a solo sailor or a cozy cruising couple!
- Hull Type: Full keel with transom hung rudder
- Hull Material:GRP (fibreglass)
- Length Overall:28′ 3” / 8.61m
- Waterline Length:23’ 6” / 7.16m
- Beam:9’ 7” / 2.92m
- Displacement:13,500lb / 6,124kg
- Designer: Herb David
- Builder: Westsail Corp. (USA)
- Number Built:78
Feeling inspired? Check out the “go small” philosophy of this 21-year-old who set sail in a CS 27.
Fiona McGlynn is an award-winning boating writer who created Waterborne as a place to learn about living aboard and traveling the world by sailboat. She has written for boating magazines including BoatUS, SAIL, Cruising World, and Good Old Boat. She’s also a contributing editor at Good Old Boat and BoatUS Magazine. In 2017, Fiona and her husband completed a 3-year, 13,000-mile voyage from Vancouver to Mexico to Australia on their 35-foot sailboat.
Saturday 1st of September 2018
Very useful list, but incomplete - as it would necessarily be, considering the number of seaworthy smaller boats that are around.
In particular, you missed/omitted the Westerly "Centaur" and its follow-on model, the "Griffon". 26 feet LOA, bilge-keelers, weighing something over 6000 pounds, usually fitted with a diesel inboard.
OK, these are British designs, and not that common in the US, but still they do exist, they're built like tanks, and it's rumored that at least one Centaur has circumnavigated.
Friday 31st of August 2018
This is a helpful list, thank you. I don't think most people would consider a 28' boat a pocket cruiser, though!
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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 .
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- Cruising Yachts 30' to 35'
Popular Cruising Yachts from 30 to 35 Feet Long Overall Their Physical Properties & Key Performance Indicators
Welcome to this ever-growing gallery of some of the most popular cruising yachts between 30 and 35 feet (9.1m to 10.7m) long overall.
30'-35' Cruising Yachts featured on this page...
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Medium sized cruising yachts like these are capable of serious offshore passage making, whilst being reasonably economic to maintain and operate.
And for competitive types, 30-35 foot cruising yachts are a popular size for club racing under handicap rating rules.
Behind each of the cruising yacht images there's a lot more information, including:
- Dimensions & Specifications;
- Design Ratios;
- A summary analysis of the boat's predicted sailing characteristics in terms of performance, stiffness, heaviness, comfort in a seaway and resistance to capsize.
To see it all, just click on the relevant image...
Catalina 34
Westerly Discus 33
Wauquiez Centurion 32
Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 311
Pearson 303
Pearson 323
Allied Seawind MkII Cutter
Jeanneau Sun Light 30
Grand Soleil 343
Feeling 850
Westerly Tempest 31
Bavaria 31 Cruiser
Westerly Kestrel 35
Westerly Berwick 31
Dehler 35 CWS
Westerly Vulcan 34
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32-1
Elizabethan 33
Westerly Seahawk 35
Nicholson 32
Westerly Ocean 33
Hunter Channel 323
Island Packet 350
Corvette 31
Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 343
Hallberg-Rassy 94
Many thanks to Richard Stuckey for the great pic of his cruising yacht 'Tango II' , shown here at anchor off Porqeurolles Island in the Mediterranean South of France.
Wauquiez Gladiateur 33
Jeanneau Attalia 32
Thank you Paul Wright , for submitting this pic of your cruising yacht 'Tallulah'.
The owner of 'Second Star' tells us...
"This one is my Hunter 33e (now Marlow-Hunter 33e) "Second Star". The "e" stands for extended cockpit. It has a drop-down, walk-through transom that opens up the cockpit significantly and serves as a helm seat when up. I bought the boat new in 2014 and my longest cruise to date was from Annapolis MD to its slip in Alexandria, VA with my daughter. Of course, my intent is to take it on longer cruises like circling the DELMARVA peninsula, which would give me offshore time off the Delaware coast. It's a very comfortable cruising yacht of moderate size."
Aphrodite 101
With their long, narrow and light hull and tall fractional rig these elegant sailboats have had many successful single and double-handed victories in distance races both coastal and offshore.
The owner of 'Averisera ' tells us:
"She has a very narrow hull with two good sea berths amidships. The galley is just aft of the berths, sink to starboard and cooker to port. Step down from companionway just aft of galley; seating to change into or out of wet gear without making sleeping area wet. Head all the way forward is OK but not great. Low free board means sink does not drain on port tack. Hull form is very, very sea kindly. Beautiful sailor, easy to steer in wide range of conditions and points of sail. For a small boat she is a competent cruising yacht."
Beneteau First 30E
Westerly 33
Have you got a cruising yacht in this size range?
If so, and you'd like to see an image of her on this page, please click here to send your pic to sailboat cruising.com and we'll do the rest.
Albin Nova 32
Contessa 32.
Nicholson 32 (Mark 10)
The Nicholson 32 Mk 10 cruising yacht in the pic is very dear to me; 'Jalingo 2' she's called - and I used to own her. Dick McClary, previous owner.
Westsail 32
Southern Cross 31
Thank you, Vern Bastable , for submitting this pic of your cruising yacht 'Mischief'.
Willard 30/8t
Vancouver 32
Nauticat 33
Thank you Phillip Caputo , for submitting this pic of your cruising yacht ' See Life ' .
Allied Seawind 30
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RM 890+: our 30-foot / 9m sailboat
A true cruising yacht in a 30-footer.
Since its launch in 2013, the RM890+ never stopped to surprise and seduce. The goal was to conceive a true cruiser, with loads of living space, comfort yet performance, at ease for both coastal cruising and port-hopping. In her different versions – twin-keel or fin keel – this fast 30ft sailboat is easy to sail, and quick to set up.
As soon as sails are hoisted, you will feel a lively boat, very much responsive and sensitive to trim, reacting to the first rise. Once breeze comes in, her large-beamed and powerful hull will make you feel totally safe.
“THE SENSATIONS OF A RACING BOAT IN A FAMILY CRUISER : THE RM890+ IS ALL ABOUT POLYVALENCE”
Space, volume, and light: modern and comfortable interior
In a cruising yacht, one might be tempted to divide the available surface into smaller areas. In our 30-foot sailboat, we decided to opt for an approach that fosters volume and light for the interior.
When opening the companion way, you will be surprised by this feeling of space: everything contributes to a global well-being: the small stairs for an easy access, a 180-degree visibility thanks to large windows, as well as the absence of bulkheads that creates an unmatched living space.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Learn more about the specs of the RM890+, and you will understand why she is a very consistent monohull yacht, with flattering ratios, never scarifying comfort nor performance.
Marc Lombard Design Group
Edouard Delamare Deboutteville
hull lenght
Sigle keel draft, twin keel draft, light displacement, engine in board sail drive.
Volvo Penta 13 CV
fuel capacity
Water capacity, holding tank capacity, asymmetric spinnaker, virtual tour.
As if you were already in, let’s have a look at the bright interior of the RM890+.
Should only large yachts be elegant?
Designing a 30ft liveaboard sailing yacht is a complex job: one would like to find all the benefits of a cruiser within a limited space. Most of the time, if the result is functional, it is rarely elegant.
With the RM890+, Marc Lombard Design team managed to draw a very elegant plywood sailing boat of nearly 9 meters, with well-balanced proportions. As a matter of fact, when you will see an RM890+ under sail, you will probably be surprised by her elegance: her proportions are perfect, and you might confuse her with a larger yacht!
guided tour rm 890+
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Choosing a boat to live on is a big deal — something you definitely want to get right. There are plenty of options to pick from, which can make the choosing process a bit daunting. So to help you navigate those deep waters (no pun intended), here is an article summarizing the 13 best liveaboard sailboats under 30 and 50 feet.
With an overall size of under 30 X 10 ft and a weight of 8,000 lbs, the Oceanis 30.1 can be trailered by road, without the issues of an extra-wide load. ... Practical yet ground-breaking innovations that were visible on the First 44e and the Oceanis 30.1e sailing yachts world premiered at the Nautic Boat Show in Paris. 02.12.2022. news. New ...
Find Catalina 30 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Catalina boats to choose from. ... ft. m. Price. to. USD. Year. to. Class. Power. Power-all-power. All power. Power-other. Other. Sail. Sail-all-sail. All sail. Sail-cruiser. ... Iconic Marine Boat Sales & Service | Washington, North ...
Vancouver 28. Photo credit: YachtFathom.co.uk. A sensible small boat with a "go-anywhere" attitude, this pocket cruiser was designed with ocean sailors in mind. One of the best cruising sailboats under 40 feet, the Vancouver 28 is great sailing in a small package. Hull Type:Full keel with transom hung rudder.
A true, versatile cruiser/racer, the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 was named the year's Best Performance Cruiser. Jon Whittle . Sailed as part of the 2020 Boat of the Year sea trials, the 31-foot-3-inch Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 was the compact yacht best-equipped and spec'd out as a dedicated cruising boat, and not coincidentally, it was also awarded the title of Best Performance Cruiser for 2020.
Used Boats For Sale - 30-39. Explore used boats and yachts for sale worldwide between 30-39 feet. 30-foot boats are great for, but not limited to, families and couples looking to cruise the waterways in complete relaxation or anglers who enjoy inshore and offshore fishing.
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.
Catalina 30 Tall Rig. Rock Hall, Maryland. 1984. $29,000. The Catalina 30 Tall Rig, Deep keel (5'3" MOONDANCE is not your average Catalina 30. The Catalina 30 design is well Known and well venerated over the past 5 decades. It remains one of the most successful yacht designs EVER for many reasons. It is a well made, voluminous 30 ft ...
Enjoy this detailed walkthrough on the BENETEAU Oceanis 30.1 from our friends at @sdbeneteau With a stem head, hard-chine hull, and well-proportioned sides a...
10.83 ft / 3.30 m: Displacement: 10,200.00 lb / 4,627 kg: Ballast: 4,200.00 lb / 1,905 kg: ... the Catalina 30 is one of the most successful production sailing yachts in history. ... Numbers below 20 indicate a lightweight racing boat, small dinghy and such; 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser;
Beneteau First 30 BOTY winner "This 30-footer combines good sailing performance and excellent cruising accommodations." Ed Sherman Billy Black. 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.
For almost 20 years, we've called this awards program SAIL Best Boats, but this year, we're refining and renaming this program to better and more fairly represent the boats we've selected. Restricting boats to categories and labels—such as Best Cruising Monohull 30-40 feet and Best Performance Monohull 40-50 feet—doesn't bring our readers the full picture.
30' J Boats Tillotson Pearson Kinsale, Virginia Asking $6,500. ... 28.58' Ericson 29 foot sloop Madison County FL, Florida Asking $2,000. 25.5' Hunter 25.5 Oak Point, Texas ... Crescent Sail Yacht Club Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan Asking $12,000. 36' Sabre 36 Mount Sinai, New York
Westerly Seahawk 35; Westerly Kestrel 35; Westsail 32; Willard 30/8t; X-332; X-342; Medium sized cruising yachts like these are capable of serious offshore passage making, whilst being reasonably economic to maintain and operate. And for competitive types, 30-35 foot cruising yachts are a popular size for club racing under handicap rating rules.
Designing a 30ft liveaboard sailing yacht is a complex job: one would like to find all the benefits of a cruiser within a limited space. Most of the time, if the result is functional, it is rarely elegant. With the RM890+, Marc Lombard Design team managed to draw a very elegant plywood sailing boat of nearly 9 meters, with well-balanced ...
Catamarans, trimarans, power boats, sailing boats, monohulls, mulithulls, trailer sailers, cruisers in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, West Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory. Yacht Hub for Boats and Yachts for Sale. ... Our beautiful Bindy is a Fibreglass Robert's 30 foot sloop rigged ...
Jupiter 30. 29'6" Length Overall. 9'4" Beam. 10K Weight. 22" Draft. 262g Fuel Capacity. BUILD MY 30. If you're in the market for a do-everything boat, welcome aboard. From offshore fishing to waterfront dining, and secluded beaches to parties at the yacht club, the sleek and powerful Jupiter 30 - outfitted with a boatload of features and ...
30' J Boats Tillotson Pearson Kinsale, Virginia Asking $6,500. 46' Kelly Peterson KP46 Napa, California ... 28.58' Ericson 29 foot sloop Madison County FL, Florida Asking $2,000. 30' S2 9.1 Mamaroneck, New York ... Crescent Sail Yacht Club Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan Asking $12,000. 25' Beiley B-25
Best 30 foot boats: Yacht broker favourites. To get an experienced yacht broker's view, I asked Andy Cunningham of Michael Schmidt and Partner (based at Hamble Point) for his favourite boats selling at under £30,000. He listed the Westerly Konsort, Sadler 29, Vancouver 27, as well as the Hunter Channel 27 and Ranger 245 twin-keelers.
The Regal 30 and 32 have mid-cabins that sleep two: The 32 has twin berths that can zip together to form a double; the 30 can be upgraded with an innerspring mattress. The 32 has a double berth forward; so does the Chaparral 310 Signature. She has a mid-cabin, too -- it's set up for seating, but converts to a berth.
The companys aim was high-volume production, keeping prices low by standardizing design, making as few tooling changes as possible, and offering its boats fully equipped-while other companies were selling things like bow pulpits and lifelines as options on a 30-foot boat. The original Hunter boats were marketed as the affordable fantasy and ...
A sailboat refers to any class and subclass of boat that is designed with one or more masts and rigging system as the main source of propulsion. Sailboats are available in a variety of models and rigs, including racing boats, sloops, schooners, catamarans, trimarans, sailing cruisers, and others. Some of the first sailboats on record date back ...
30.40 ft / 9.27 m: LWL: ... The equation incorporates SA/Disp (100% fore triangle) and Disp/length ratios to create a guide to probable boat performance vs. other boats of comparable size. For boats of the same length, generally the higher the S#, the lower the PHRF. Under 2 - Slow, under powered.
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