BoatsIslander Yachts 30

Islander Yachts 30

Masthead Sloop · Fin Keel · First built 1968

A raised-deck masthead sloop with a shallow 1.12-metre draft, produced briefly as a distinct variant of the Islander 29

Designed by J. H. McGlasson & Joseph McGlasson, built by Wayfarer Yacht Corp.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin Keel

See her sail

The Islander Yachts 30, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Lady K Sailing

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

Shoal draughtDraws 1.12 m, board up where she has one — creeks, sandbars and thin anchorages most keels have to stay out of.
LivelySea-kindly

Her heavy displacement on a narrow beam gives 28 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 28
CoastalBluewater

1.74 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.74
LightHeavy

295 — heavy for her waterline, built to carry stores and ride steadily.

Displacement / length 295
EasygoingPowered-up

13.8 — modest power for her weight; easygoing rather than lively, and happier with a breeze.

Sail area / displacement 13.8
TenderStiff

35% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 35%

Built heavy and sea-kindly — a boat made to cross oceans and forgive a rough night.

  • Draws less than ~91% of boats her size on file
  • Narrower than ~75% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2401 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The Islander Yachts 30, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Islander Yachts 30 is a masthead sloop designed by J.H. McGlasson, built from 1968 by Wayfarer Yacht Corp., Islander Yachts, and Tradewind Yachts. This 9.0 m fin keel sailboat displaces 3810 kg and features a raised deck, distinguishing it as a raised-deck version of the Islander 29. Production of this model ceased in 1970, when it was replaced by the Islander 30-2, an entirely different design. Aboard *Lady K Sailing*, the Islander 30 is presented as a cost-effective option for tiny living, with examples available for $10,000 or less, offering a pre-constructed living space with a galley, bathroom, and sleeping quarters.4:47 These boats feature fiberglass hulls and internal combustion engines, allowing for anchoring or marina living.6:53 At the Alamitos Bay Marina, an Islander 30 was among the impounded vessels inspected at a public auction, where opening bids started at $400.0:42

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen once across one channel of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The Islander Yachts 30 on video

What they go for

Market signal

Where the fleet has seen this model for sale, and the asking prices that came with it.

1seen for sale
US$15,000Median asking

From the fleet's own footage — our observed signal, not broker listings.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
34.5%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
13.8
Displacement / length
295.3
Comfort ratio
28.3
Capsize screening
1.74
Hull speed
6.5 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
736
Hull
Hull type
Fin Keel
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1968
Designer
J.H.McGlasson, Joseph McGlasson
Builder
Wayfarer Yacht Corp, Islander Yachts, Tradewind Yachts

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Tartan Marine 309.12 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Sparkman & Stephens masthead sloop offering versatile interior configurations and a choice of standard or tall rigs
Tartan 30 | Boat Reviewfrom Practical Sailor
Dufour Arpege 309.14 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA record-breaking production of over 1500 units, this MORC-compliant racer-cruiser defined a new standard for the 30-foot class
🔥 Finally introducing my boat | 1971 Dufour Arpège – SCORPION UNO2:08from NAUTICPIOLI
Islander Yachts Bahama 309.12 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1973-1985 production masthead sloop sharing its hull with the Islander 30 MKII and featuring a balanced fin keel
Diesel Overheating Dinghy Pump Hack3:07from Practical Sailor
Catalina Yachts 309.12 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthWith over 6,000 hulls produced, this versatile masthead sloop remains one of the most successful production yachts ever built
Perfect $20,000 Sailboat (Catalina 30 Refit on a Budget) - Ep 358 - Lady K Sailingfrom Lady K Sailing
Pearson Yachts 309.08 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Bill Shaw-designed masthead sloop with over 1,000 hulls built, balancing a stiff 43% ballast ratio for coastal cruising
Pearson 30 Sailboat Reviewfrom Practical Sailor
Seafarer Yachts 309.13 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead sloop available with a tall rig and keel centerboard, distinct from the earlier Tripp-designed model
FROM THE CORPORATE WORLD TO VAGABUNDOS BEACH | Living on a sailboat | #SAL #4411:36from Hashtag Sal

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Islander Yachts 29A short-lived masthead sloop also marketed as the Wayfarer 29, featuring a shallow draft and a raised-deck variant.Islander 32A J.H. McGlasson-designed masthead sloop that served as the foundational hull for the later Islander 33 and 34 modelsIslander Yachts Bahama 30A 1973-1985 production masthead sloop sharing its hull with the Islander 30 MKII and featuring a balanced fin keelIslander 33A raised-deck masthead sloop with a 1.37-metre draft, built between 1964 and 1971 for coastal cruisingIslander 30 MK IIA Robert Finch-designed masthead sloop with a fin keel and spade rudder, also offered in a tall rig configurationIslander 34A masthead sloop featuring a rudder profile inspired by the 1964 America's Cup defender Constellation

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

Search what's been said about the Islander Yachts 30, or ask a specific question — the answer comes back written out, with links to the moments it draws on.

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