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Etchells 30
Designer: Skip Etchells  ·  First built: 1970
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About the Etchells 30

Built as a scaled-up version of the renowned Etchells 22 one-design keelboat, this thirty-footer carries forward the elegant design philosophy that made Skip Etchells famous in sailing circles. The boat represents an intriguing chapter in the evolution of performance-oriented sailing yachts from the era when designers were experimenting with translating successful small boat concepts into larger platforms. The Etchells 30 maintains the clean lines and balanced proportions characteristic of the Etchells design lineage, though detailed specifications remain somewhat elusive today. Like its smaller sibling, the boat was conceived with racing performance as a priority, featuring the kind of refined hull shape and sail plan that could deliver both speed and responsive handling. While not as widely produced or documented as the legendary Etchells 22, this thirty-footer would have been well-suited for coastal racing and spirited day sailing. The design likely appealed to sailors who appreciated the proven Etchells sailing characteristics but needed additional cockpit space and accommodations that come with a larger platform. Today, the Etchells 30 represents an interesting piece of sailing history for those drawn to boats with racing pedigree and classic design sensibilities.

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.
$5,900 – $5,900
typical asking price
Median $5,900  ·  1 listing used
All listings
$5,900 – $5,900 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) 29.95 ft / 9.13 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
Beam 8.67 ft / 2.64 m
Max Draft 4.58 ft / 1.40 m
Displacement 5,720.00 lb / 2,595 kg
Ballast 2,700.00 lb / 1,225 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 398.00 ft² / 36.98 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Skip Etchells
First Built 1970
Owner Reviews

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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
19.97
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
18.79
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
1.94
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. 6.7
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. 774.47
How It Compares

vs. Catalina 30 Mkii, Hunter 30, Olson 911 S, Santana 30 30Gp, Tartan 30

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Etchells 30 ★
30.0 ft
Catalina 30 Mkii
29.9 ft
Hunter 30
29.9 ft
Olson 911 S
29.9 ft
Santana 30 30Gp
29.9 ft
Tartan 30
29.9 ft
LWL
Etchells 30 ★
25.0 ft
Catalina 30 Mkii
25.0 ft
Hunter 30
25.6 ft
Olson 911 S
25.0 ft
Santana 30 30Gp
25.4 ft
Tartan 30
24.3 ft
Beam
Etchells 30 ★
8.7 ft
Catalina 30 Mkii
10.8 ft
Hunter 30
10.8 ft
Olson 911 S
10.3 ft
Santana 30 30Gp
10.3 ft
Tartan 30
10.0 ft
Displacement
Etchells 30 ★
5 lbs
Catalina 30 Mkii
10 lbs
Hunter 30
9 lbs
Olson 911 S
7 lbs
Santana 30 30Gp
6 lbs
Tartan 30
8 lbs
Ballast
Etchells 30 ★
2 lbs
Catalina 30 Mkii
4 lbs
Hunter 30
3 lbs
Olson 911 S
3 lbs
Santana 30 30Gp
2 lbs
Tartan 30
3 lbs
Sail Area
Etchells 30 ★
398 sq ft
Catalina 30 Mkii
437 sq ft
Hunter 30
417 sq ft
Olson 911 S
475 sq ft
Santana 30 30Gp
340 sq ft
Tartan 30
449 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Etchells 30 ★
Catalina 30 Mkii
186 s/nm
Hunter 30
189 s/nm
Olson 911 S
126 s/nm
Santana 30 30Gp
171 s/nm
Tartan 30
171 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Etchells 30 ★
20.0
Catalina 30 Mkii
14.9
Hunter 30
14.5
Olson 911 S
20.5
Santana 30 30Gp
16.5
Tartan 30
17.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Etchells 30 ★
Catalina 30 Mkii
41.2 %
Hunter 30
39.4 %
Olson 911 S
44.4 %
Santana 30 30Gp
Tartan 30
41.1 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Etchells 30 ★
18.8
Catalina 30 Mkii
24.9
Hunter 30
Olson 911 S
18.7
Santana 30 30Gp
15.6
Tartan 30
24.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Etchells 30 ★
1.94
Catalina 30 Mkii
2.00
Hunter 30
Olson 911 S
2.14
Santana 30 30Gp
2.26
Tartan 30
1.94
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Etchells 30 ★
Catalina 30 Mkii
291
Hunter 30
264
Olson 911 S
205
Santana 30 30Gp
Tartan 30
273
Hull Speed
Etchells 30 ★
6.7 kts
Catalina 30 Mkii
6.7 kts
Hunter 30
Olson 911 S
6.7 kts
Santana 30 30Gp
6.8 kts
Tartan 30
6.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Etchells 30 ★
Catalina 30 Mkii
1.6
Hunter 30
Olson 911 S
3.0
Santana 30 30Gp
3.8
Tartan 30
2.0
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