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Hunter 30
Designer: Hunter Design Team  ·  Builder: Hunter Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1980
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About the Hunter 30

Designed for recreational sailors seeking comfortable coastal cruising, this popular 30-footer represents Hunter Marine's commitment to accessible sailing. The Hunter 30 embodies the builder's philosophy of creating boats that prioritize ease of handling and onboard comfort over pure performance, making it an appealing choice for weekend warriors and casual cruisers. Built during Hunter's prolific production years, this model features the company's characteristic roomy interior layout that maximizes living space within the hull. The boat typically incorporates Hunter's signature wide beam design, contributing to enhanced stability and generous cabin volume that feels larger than many comparable 30-footers. While not intended for serious offshore passages, the Hunter 30 excels in protected waters, coastal day sailing, and light cruising applications. Its moderate displacement and sail plan strike a balance between performance and predictability, making it forgiving for newer sailors while still providing enjoyable sailing characteristics for experienced crews. The boat's reputation centers on its value proposition—offering comfortable accommodations, straightforward systems, and reasonable sailing ability at an attractive price point. This combination has made it a popular choice in the used boat market for those entering cruising sailing or seeking an affordable coastal cruiser.

Market Price Estimate Beta
$3,200 – $34,000
typical asking price
Median $14,450  ·  34 listings used
All listings
$3,200 – $34,000 34
Rate a listing price
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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) 25.58 ft / 7.80 m
Beam 10.75 ft / 3.28 m
Max Draft 4.58 ft / 1.40 m
Displacement 9,900 lb / 4,491 kg
Ballast 3,900 lb / 1,769 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 417 ft² / 38.74 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Hunter Design Team
Builder Hunter Marine (USA)
First Built 1980
Last Built 1988
Number Built 600
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
189
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
14.45
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
39.39
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
264.05
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. 5.89 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 15.99
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.83 ft / 3.91 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 453.00 ft² / 42.09 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Yanmar
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 12 gals / 45 L
Water Capacity 33 gals / 125 L
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