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Bahama 30 Islander
Designer: Bob Finch  ·  Builder: Islander Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1973
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About the Bahama 30 Islander

Built by Islander Yachts from 1973 to 1985, this Bob Finch-designed cruiser represents classic American sailboat manufacturing from the era when fiberglass construction was reaching maturity. The Bahama 30 Islander offers a practical blend of comfort and performance that made it popular among coastal cruisers seeking a capable yet manageable vessel. With its fin keel and spade rudder configuration, the boat provides responsive handling and good upwind performance, while the masthead sloop rig delivers straightforward sail handling. The moderate displacement of 8,230 pounds, combined with 3,130 pounds of ballast, creates a stable platform that inspires confidence in varying conditions. The comfort ratio of 22.62 suggests this boat prioritizes sailing performance over ultimate interior volume, making it well-suited for active sailors. The SA/Displacement ratio of 17.68 indicates moderate power under sail, providing decent performance without being overly demanding to handle. The capsize screening formula of 1.98 falls within acceptable parameters for coastal cruising and occasional offshore passages. Islander Yachts built a reputation for solid construction during this period, and the Bahama 30 exemplifies their approach to creating seaworthy vessels for serious recreational sailors. This design remains attractive to sailors seeking a traditional sailing experience with proven offshore capabilities.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$4,500 – $4,500
typical asking price
Median $4,500  ·  1 listing used
All listings
$4,500 – $4,500 1
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.92 ft / 9.12 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.58 ft / 7.49 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 8,230.00 lb / 3,733 kg
Ballast 3,130.00 lb / 1,420 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 449.00 ft² / 41.71 m²
Headroom 6.25 ft / 1.91 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bob Finch
Builder Islander Yachts (USA)
First Built 1973
Last Built 1985
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 17.68
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 38.03
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 247.4
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 22.62
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.98
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.64 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.26
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 878.27 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 17.68
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 40.00 ft / 12.19 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.75 ft / 3.89 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 33.75 ft / 10.29 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.50 ft / 3.51 m
SA Fore 255.00 ft² / 23.69 m²
SA Main 194.06 ft² / 18.03 m²
SA Total (100%) 449.06 ft² / 41.72 m²
Est. Forestay Length 41.98 ft / 12.80 m
Mast Height (DWL) 43.50 ft / 13.26 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Model MD7A
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 13
Fuel Capacity 20 gals / 76 L
Water Capacity 25 gals / 95 L
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