- Home
- Cruising Yachts 30' to 35'
Popular Cruising Yachts from 30 to 35 Feet Long Overall
Their Physical Properties & Key Performance Indicators
Cruising yachts in the 30 to 35 feet range hit the sweet spot for many sailors. They blend manageability, affordability, and versatility. For solo sailors or small crews, handling these yachts is less daunting, providing enough space without being overwhelming.
'Jalingo II', my Nicholson 32My first real cruising yacht was in this size range - a heavy-displacement, long-keeled Nicholson 32 Mk 10 from 1974, very much like the one in the picture above. OK, it was the one in the pic, 'Jalingo II' she was called. I sailed her thousands of miles, much of it singlehanded. She was an extremely seaworthy vessel - I always felt safe in her but, being a heavy long-keeler, reversing into a marina berth was something of a hit-and-miss affair!
In terms of cost, yachts of this size are relatively wallet-friendly being generally more affordable to buy and maintain compared to larger yachts. Material, part, and labor costs are lower, and they use fuel more economically. Marina fees are reasonable as long as you don't choose one that charges for a minimum length overall of 40 feet.
And there's no need for fancy in-mast furling gears on these boats; a simple slab-reefing system will get the job done just fine!
These yachts are suitable for coastal cruising, or with some examples like my Nic 32, extended ocean voyages.
A typical accommodation layout for a 33-footer. This one's a Westerly Ocean 33 from the late 1990's.While they can be ideal for family cruising along the coast, they will feel cramped on longer trips or with larger crews. So if luxury and spacious living are important to you, these yachts might fall short. But for many sailors, the joy of sailing and the freedom it provides make a few inconveniences entirely acceptable.
For competitive types, 30-35 foot cruising yachts are a popular size for club racing under handicap rating rules.Lastly, the resale value of yachts in this size range can depreciate faster than larger ones. Market demand, wear and tear, and the availability of newer models can affect resale value. While this might not be a primary concern if you plan to keep your yacht for many years, it's worth considering if you view your yacht as an investment.
In summary, cruising yachts between 30 and 35 feet offer a balance of manageability, affordability, and versatility. Weighing these pros and cons helps you make an informed decision that aligns with your sailing aspirations and lifestyle. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a newcomer, a yacht in this size range could suit your cruising ambitions perfectly.
30'-35' Cruising Yachts featured on this page...
A to L
M to Z
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...
Wauquiez Centurion 32
Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 311
Allied Seawind MkII Cutter
Most of the sailboats in this size range are either masthead or fractional sloops. Some though, are cutters like the one above.
Jeanneau Sun Light 30
Westerly Tempest 31
Bavaria 31 Cruiser
The Bavaria 31 Cruiser, a moderate displacement fractional sloop, was designed by J&J Design and built in Germany by Bavaria Yachts.More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...
Westerly Kestrel 35
Westerly Berwick 31
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32-1
Westerly Seahawk 35
Hunter Channel 323
Island Packet 350
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'.
Hunter 33
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.
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.
Catboats
Cutters
Southern Cross 31
Thank you, Vern Bastable, for submitting this pic of your cruising yacht 'Mischief'.
Ketches
Fuji 35
Thank you Phillip Caputo, for submitting this pic of your cruising yacht 'See Life'.
Recent Articles
-
Sailing in Lightning Storms: A Guide
Feb 21, 25 01:01 PM
Lightning strikes, high winds, and towering waves: sailing in lightning storms is a serious risk, but one you can prepare for. -
Choosing the Right Spinnaker for Your Sailboat
Feb 21, 25 05:23 AM
Ready to boost your downwind sailing? This guide helps sailors choose the perfect spinnaker, from cruising chutes to symmetric sails... -
Spinnaker Safety for Cruising Sailors
Feb 21, 25 05:17 AM
Don't let a great sail turn into a scary situation. Master spinnaker safety for confident cruising, from setup to takedown.
Our eBooks...
A few of our Most Popular Pages...
Copyright © 2025 Dick McClary Sailboat-Cruising.com