carter 30 yacht review

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Brand Carter 30

Model Carter 30

Production year —

We have at our disposal very comfortable and convenient Carter-30 yachts. To date, in the waters of the Moscow basin, this kind of yachts are the most numerous (about 40) and popular. There are obvious reasons for this: the yacht is very comfortable with a relatively small size (30 feet or about 9 m in length), very dynamic and It is easy to manage. It is great for leisure of any type, walks, training in yachting, sports and tourist events.

For a sport

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Carter 33 - potential buyer - what's she like ?

• Thread starter homa
• Start date 12 Jun 2005
• 12 Jun 2005

Carter 33 - potential buyer - what\'s she like ? I am considering the Carter 33 for the following reasons: likes: Roomy and fast, price (a lot of boat for the money) dislike: wooden toe rail and cockpit locker covers on the earlier models - more maintenence, most fitted with sail drive - more maintenance. Tiller takes up most of the cockpit and I would seriously consider converting to wheel steering. I have read that they are a "little tender" ? I have a young family so don't want to put them off sailing if we get caught out in inclement weather, but on the other hand I don't want an all out cruiser. Am I on the right track here or are there other things to consider with the Carter 33 ?  

Re: Carter 33 - potential buyer - what\'s she like ? Hi Homa I used to sail a carter 33 for a sailing school. I don't know about saildrive meaning more maintainance but the one we had, had a standard prop shaft arrangement. Unfortunately the prop wash on the rudder was so bad that it was most uncomfortable to hold the tiller under power, so the tendancy was to support it with your leg, I did develop bruising on my thigh because of this. Of course i have no idea if the correct prop was being used etc. but I would have been tempted by saildrive for the above reason. Other than that she was a fairly solid boat that sailed quite well and was certainly fairly roomy for her age. Personally I didnt like the boat and neither did most of the instructors, however that was probably because she was a pretty tatty and poorly maintained example. Had she been more comfortable inside I may have formed a better opinion of her. However assuming good condition I would have thought a Carter 33 could make a fairly good coastal cruising yacht for a family on a budget.  

Re: Carter 33 - potential buyer - what\'s she like ? I have sailed a Carter 30 for 7 years now and apart from the wooden bits you mention I have no gripes with her. The 33 is a stretched version of the 30 and therefore you will get a boat that goes very well in all wind conditions, especially light airs where you should have no trouble picking off many of the larger modern boats. The genoa can be a bit of a handfull, but it will certainly build up your crews muscles. I also have a saildrive and prefer it to shaft because of the much reduced engine noise/vibrations. The hull seal is recommended to be replaced every seven years, but I replaced the original after 18 and there were no signs of cracking or ageing at all. Personally I wouldn't go to the bother of fitting wheel steering, because tiller is so much more responsive. It can also be folded out of the way at anchor giving you the full cockpit to lounge in. Hope this helps /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif  

• 13 Jun 2005

Re: Carter 33 - potential buyer - what\'s she like ? Hello Colin, What's she like in a blow, do you have to reef early ? Is she wet when going to windward ? What is she like manoeuvring in a marina particularly interested how she goes astern under power ? I only mentioned the maintenance of the saildrive as I had read elsewhere here that it was a thing to look out for, but from what you say, it looks no more than for a conventional stern tube in the long run. I like the sound of less noise/vibration, hadn't occured to me, but makes sense and one thing I should consider for a sail drive as an advantage. Thanks for your response Matthew  

Phoenix of Hamble

Active member.

Re: Carter 33 - potential buyer - what\'s she like ? Homa, I have a 33 3/4 tonner which is a Carter design, based upon the 33, but with a bit more beam let in...... otherwise, underwater hull shape etc is very similar.... My initials answers to your questions.... (although I've only had her 3 months)... In a blow she's a dream... tracks very well indeed, and extremely sporty performance.... bow tends to pitch a little, and causes water over the foredeck a little, and it washes down the side decks... but nothing serious, especially with a furling genny.... She's perhaps a liitle wet to windward, but no where near as much as say a Contessa 32...... and the standard 33 design has a decent set of coamings that should keep it out of the cockpit ok.... I certainly haven't got this marker down as a problem.... I tend to reef reasonably early anyway with 2 young kids on board, but I do also have an enormous furling genny of over 150%, so thats my first target... I've sailed her briefly in 18kts with full main... and perhaps for a cruise I would have added a single reef in the main for comfort, but she wasn't demanding it.....just a small furl in the genny to balance her up.... Looking at the rig, its quite large by the standards of her age group anyway.... I don't have a saildrive.. its a conventional shaft with a twin blade prop.... but its OK in reverse.... a slight kick in my case to port, but with a relatively deep and short fin, not a problem to maneouvre...... I do occassionaly reverse onto my berth, so obviously confident enough to do that.... My critiscms would be.... the shallow bilges are a bit of a pain.... they could do with being slightly deeper to manage any water ingress, but then again, you can't either lose stuff in them, and they are easy to clean! The aft locker area needs careful attention... some versions I looked at were very poor on best use of space... others were better... engine access is OK, but could be better.... I have to crawl inside one of the stern lockers to get at the fuel tank, and its associated agglomerator.... Storage space needs some consideration... I've improved mine vastly by shelving in various lockers, and adding doors etc etc..... On the positive side, the pilot berths are a real bonus... not many boats of this size in this price range with such good accomodation.... Finally, I'm in Ipswich, if you ever want to come and have a poke around, you are most welcome.. let me know....  

Re: Carter 33 - potential buyer - what\'s she like ? Hi Homa, It depends what you mean by a blow. I don't normally reef the Genoa until I get greater than 18 knots true average, but the boat is heeling quite a way by then and there is a noticable weather helm. A couple of turns sorts it out makes a more comfortable (upright) ride. Higher wind speeds than that and it is your choice. Because the Main is secondary to the power in the Genoa you can leave it unreefed certainly up to a good force 5. The ride is not too wet going into a sea, as long as you don't try to sail hard on the wind - freeing off by 5-10 degrees makes a drier sail and allows the boat to ride the waves rather than punch into them. Manouvering, as NAS said, is fairly straightforward - or straight backward. Just a little kick to port before the rudder and keel take over. Quick bursts of power on full lock will almost spin the boat around its keel.  

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Best cruising boats under 30 feet: Is this the ideal size for a yacht?

• Peter Poland
• April 14, 2022

Peter Poland picks out some of the best cruising boats under 30ft, arguably the ideal size for coastal and occasional offshore sailing

Cruising boats of around 30ft can often become a ‘boat for life’. Having graduated from dinghies to small cruisers, many sailors decide that something around 30ft will give them enough space, headroom, comfort and seagoing ability to see out their sailing days.

Sometimes a crew of young children may push them into something bigger for a while, but many sailors find that around 30ft is an ideal size for coastal and occasional offshore sailing.

Budget is also usually an important factor. Some GRP cruising boats around 30ft date back to the 1960s. But times change and precious few new models of this size are being built today.

A Hunter Horizon 30, Aljara , in Torbay – a lift up tiller gives a roomy cockpit. Photo: Duncan Kent

So if you want a 30-foot cruising boat you’ll probably end up with a second-hand yacht and can be looking at age differences of up to 60 years; with correspondingly different prices. Some sailors relish the process of renovating an older yacht, while others want one that is in good condition and raring to go.

When you start looking for a good second-hand cruising boat around 30ft, the choices are wide and varied. There are so many options that it’s easy to become confused. Not only were a lot of different models built, the variations between types, styles and levels of performance became more defined around the 30ft mark.

The options below are from all across Europe, but we’ve also covered the best 30ft French boats , the best 30ft British boats , the best 30ft German boats and the best 30ft boats from Scandinavia .

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Best cruising boats under 30 feet: Focusing the search

As time passed three different types evolved: middle of the road family cruisers ( fin, twin and lifting keel ); older style long keeled cruisers ; and lighter cruiser-racers (often IOR-influenced after the late 1970s).

So it becomes ever more important to have a clear idea of what size and type of cruiser you want. As we often said to clients who were considering buying one of our Hunters, you need to answer some basic questions before deciding on your ideal yacht: what sort of sailing are you planning?; where?; with whom?; and how often? We reckoned that many people ended up by buying bigger boats than they actually needed.

Three of the earliest GRP production yachts built fell into the 28-30ft bracket and – even if a degree of restoration work is necessary – all are excellent designs.

The Pionier 9 is a good seagoing yacht. Photo: SailingScenes.com

The Dutch 9.10m Pionier 9 – often spelt Pioneer 9 in English – was designed by van de Stadt and the first production GRP yacht in Europe. More than 600 were built after the first was launched in 1959. UK versions were moulded by Tylers and finished by Southern Ocean Shipyard in Poole.

The Pionier’s hull configuration of a fin keel and separate spade rudder was well ahead of the game at that time. With a beam of just 2.4m she’s not spacious by modern standards but a practical four berth layout, generous cockpit, displacement/length ratio (DLR) of 235 and sail area/displacement (SA/Disp) ratio of 19.1 combine to make the Pionier a good seagoing yacht and a delight to sail.

A well maintained example makes an excellent performance cruiser, as confirmed by one owner on a discussion forum who wrote: ‘The Pionier 9 is a strong and seaworthy boat. Aziz was sailed single-handed non-stop from UK to US [from Milford Haven to Newport in 1971 in 45 days] by Nicolette Milnes-Walke r – the first woman to achieve this…

‘My father and I have owned our Pionier 9 for about 32 years now and she still sails well against more modern boats and the quality of build means they suffer very few problems.’

The Elizabethan 29, built by Peter Webster, has a graceful counter. Photo: SailingScenes.com

Best cruising boats under 30 feet: Long keel designs

The great British designer Kim Holman was responsible for two other exceptional yachts in this early GRP era; the 1960 Elizabethan 29 and 1964 Twister 28. Unlike the Pionier, both of these have traditional long keels.

The Elizabethan (built by Peter Webster) has a graceful counter while the Twister (moulded by Tylers and finished by various builders such as Uphams and Universal Shipyard) hangs its rudder on a transom stern, and the latter is a smidge wider (8ft 1in), longer on the waterline, (21ft 6in) and heavier (9,968lb). Both have four berth layouts with amidships heads and both are a delight to sail.

I was lucky enough to be a regular crew on an Elizabethan in the 1960s, and enjoyed regular sailing on a Twister this century. If I had to risk a comparison I’d say the latter has few equals when slicing upwind in a blow into a chop, while the former is one of the most slippery ladies I have ever steered downwind. Both sail in classic regattas and are snug and practical to live aboard – albeit without stern cabins.

A delight to sail, the Twister 28 has a traditional long keel and hangs its rudder on a transom stern. Photo: Graham Snook/Yachting Monthly

Both attract admiring looks wherever they sail. They’re high on my list of all-time favourites and make great buys if you don’t want a floating caravan and don’t mind a bit of maintenance work from time to time.

Earlier Twisters have a high-maintenance wooden coachroof, while later ones are all GRP. And – as with any elderly yacht – look for one with a replacement engine and renewed rigging.

Elizabethan 30

Peter Webster came up with another timeless yacht in 1968. The Elizabethan 30 (and later 9m sister, both designed by the great David Thomas) were fast cruisers inspired by the Half Ton Cup.

With a beam of 9ft 3in, it offers reasonable space down below while a generous ballast ratio of 48%, SA/Disp ratio of 19.2 and moderate DLR of 235 ensure excellent performance and easy handling; especially when compared to modern cruisers with wide sterns and towering topsides. What’s more, it is a lovely looking yacht.

The Elizabethan 30 Mistweave . Photo: SailingScenes.com

Hugo Morgan-Harris of consulting surveyors Saunders Morgan Harris told me; “I brought my Liz 30 in 1998 as a classic GRP cruising/racing boat. She had an old RCA Dolphin petrol engine, rotten alloy mast, tired rigging and no deck fittings.

“The interior was a mess and all of the systems were original. As I was boatbuilding at the time I thought that I’d have a go! Now we have a new Yanmar 2GM, electrics, nav gear, Lewmar windows, toilet, fridge, wireless auto helm, boom, vang etc.”

If you can buy a tired boat cheaply enough, this sort of investment is worth the money. Having owned and loved the boat for some 20 years, Hugo sold her and bought and restored (in his garden!) a tired Sigma 38. So, like many others, he has stuck to David Thomas designs.

Spinnaker drop during Round the Island 2010 for Nicholson 303 Nutcracker . Photo: SailingScenes.com

Best cruising boats under 30 feet: Wide beam accommodation

As the 70s got under way, the high profile Half Ton Cup seemed to cast its spell over ever more 30ft cruisers. The Nicholson 30, Ron Holland-designed Nicholson 303, Doug Petersen-designed Contessa 28 and Contention 30, Fred Parker Javelin 30, Dick Carter-designed Carter 30, S&S-designed She 31 and Kim Holman-designed Hustler 30 and UFO 31 all offered wide beam accommodation, fin keels and well above average performance.

Some were better built than others. For my money the Tyler-moulded and Landamores-finished Hustler 30 or Nicholson 303 are the pick of this bunch if you are in the market for a 30-footer that sails well (albeit twitchily on a heavy weather reach or run with too much canvas aloft), has a good seagoing layout and looks classy.

Reverting to more classic long-keelers built around the same time, I came across an internet thread that sparked a flurry of interesting comments. The opening post was: “I am looking to make a first yacht purchase and would appreciate thoughts on the variations between a Victoria 30, a Halmatic 30 or a Nicholson 31. I am keener on the more classic style of yacht than on newer boats and [want] a long keel; with a view to longer or ocean trips in the future.”

The John Sharp-designed Halmatic 30. Photo: SailingScenes.com

Those looking for a boat of this character should have these three on their list. The John Sharp-designed Halmatic 30 (and similar Barbican 30) is 22ft 10in on the waterline, has 9ft 6in beam, draws 4ft 6in, displaces 9,000lb with a 50% ballast ratio, 338 DLR and 15.95 SA/Disp ratio.

The Chuck Paine-designed Victoria 30 has a canoe stern and similar dimensions but is appreciably lighter at 8,867lb with a 31% ballast ratio and DLR of 311. Raymond Wall’s classy Nicholson 31 (30ft 6in), on the other hand, is a little longer, wider (10ft 3in) and heavier (13,005lb) with a ballast ratio of 37% and DLR of 411. Like the Halmatic 30, it has a transom-hung rudder giving the look of an elegant overgrown Folkboat or Twister.

Personal preference

My favourite from this trio would be a well-maintained Nicholson 31. One owner put it well, responding to the thread: “I can’t give an unbiased opinion, because I’ve owned my Nic 31 from new in 1982…

A well-maintained Nicholson 31 is an exceptional yacht. Photo: SailingScenes.com

“She has sailed transatlantic (Maine to Ireland, averaging just over 5 knots for the entire, comfortable, passage) and was great for living aboard for six seasons (cruising three months at a time) in northern European waters. Fabulous boat… Almost any used boat will need to be updated. Just start with a good foundation.” Which about says it all.

He later told me “We had a variety of weather conditions [on the transatlantic trip] and the combination of full keel and great sail balance allowed the wind vane to steer straight in all but the lightest air, even downwind… She’s the perfect small blue water (for two to four crew) and coastal cruising (for two) boat.”

However as designs progressed and production methods evolved, going offshore ceased to be the sole preserve of old fashioned-style long-keel boats. Many modern family boats such as a Westerly, Hunter, Sadler, Moody, or more recent Beneteaus, Jeanneaus and Bavarias in the 28-32ft size range offered ample scope for coastal and offshore cruising.

The advantage of this type of boat is that it tends to be newer, more spacious, easy to handle and can also be easier to sell when the time comes to move on. There is a much wider choice because they were made in the hundreds. Once again condition and equipment are important.

Paradise Seeker , a Moody 31 sailing on the River Tay near Dundee. Photo: Dundee Photographics/Alamy

The Bill Dixon-designed Moody 31 (LOA 30ft 9in) Mk1 and Mk2 models (with fin or twin keels) were built from 1983 to 1991 and are good examples. A beam of 10ft 6in, weight of 9,966lb, ballast ratio of 37%, DLR of 270 and SA/Disp ratio of 15 put it firmly in the camp of modern, capable and roomy family cruisers.

Despite highish freeboard, it looks sleek and well styled. And of course its modern layout with aft heads, stern cabin and practical L-shaped galley was an instant hit with cruising families. One owner said “I had always fancied a Contessa 32 but after a trial sail, my wife was not impressed. Too uncomfortable! At the Boat Show we saw the Moody 31. My wife liked the space and comfort and it looked a good sea boat to me. Not as fast as the Contessa perhaps but I wasn’t really a racing man.”

This owner later proved his Moody 31’s ability offshore by joining a Royal Cornwall YC rally to the Azores. On the racing front, I used to crew on a fin keel Moody 31 Mk1 that picked up plenty of pots in Hamble-based handicap races.

A member of the Moody Owners Association endorsed the Moody 31’s qualities saying he had owned his 31from new in 1990, adding: “We have sailed the local rivers and across to Holland, Belgium and France. The boat is almost a member of the family and… it’s large enough to accommodate six but can be sailed single-handed.

“It’s a sturdy boat that will hold up against many faster types if sailed correctly. The oversized 28hp engine will push it through a steep chop at 6 knots. Over a quarter of a century, I discovered how well the boat has been made… It has never let me down and I love sailing her.”

Saloon of the ever-popular Laurent Giles-designed Konsort 29. Photo: Bob Aylott/myclassicboat.com

Westerly Konsort 29

Westerly came up with one of its most successful 28-30ft cruisers in the 1980s. Over 700 of the ever-popular Laurent Giles-designed Konsort 29 were built and these tough cruisers are still much sought after.

Its vital statistics of 10ft 9in beam, 8516lb weight, 37.5% ballast ratio, 229 DLR and 15 SA/Disp ratio are on a par with many of its contemporaries.

The Konsort’s conventional accommodation – featuring amidships heads and aft galley and nav area – is practical and solidly finished, making it an archetypical middle-of-the-road family cruiser.

And for those who prefer a deck saloon offering panoramic views from the warm and dry, the Duo version also has many attractions.

A former commodore of the Westerly Association told me that when he bought his twin keel Konsort he sought out a boat that incorporated the revised hull reinforcement system Westerly adopted after early production.

He added that: “The boat sails well provided there is sufficient breeze to get her going. A cruising chute helps in light airs. When the wind pipes up the performance is good, with a reef in the main around Force 5. The Konsort is very much a cruising boat so we have never expected her to point high, but you sail according to the characteristics of your boat. When required the 24hp Bukh diesel will take care of any lack of wind.

“We sail in the English Channel, the Channel Islands and adjacent coast of France. We have had no unexpected problems with the boat… a choice well made and never regretted.”

The later 30ft 6in Westerly Tempest, designed by Ed Dubois, was a very different concept. Its unusual accommodation featured two double cabins aft and a heads compartment in the eyes of the yacht. By Westerly standards, its sales total of 107 wasn’t a runaway success. But it has a lot to offer; as does its revamped Regatta 310 near sister.

Unusually for a 30ft 6in yacht, the Westerly Tempest has two double cabins aft and a heads in the forepeak. Photo: SailingScenes.com

The Sadler 29 was another winner from the 1980s. Martin Sadler told me: “The 29 appeared at the 1981 Earls Court boat show. She was offered with fin or twin keels and the mix was about 60/40 in favour of the latter.

“Our demonstration boat had twins and it surprised people how well she sailed [understandable because these twins are shapely, well positioned and draw 3ft 8in]. The design concept of the 29 was to achieve a larger internal volume for overall length than the Sadler 25 and 32, and she has accommodation very similar to the 32.”

Designer David Sadler got the balance between comfort and performance right: 28ft 5in overall, waterline 22ft 10in, beam 9ft 6in, weight 8,200lb, 41.5% ballast ratio, 307 DLR and 14.68 SA/Disp ratio. Sailors loved her and around 400 were built.

‘Another winner from the 80s’; the Sadler 29. Photo: Patrick Eden/Alamy

Her spacious accommodation with amidships heads, good galley and chart table and cosy quarter berth appealed to traditionalists and modernists alike. What’s more the inner mouldings conceal enough foam buoyancy to make the boat float and sail if flooded, if the foam’s still sound.

One Sadler 29 owner summed up what to look for, saying: “The advice when buying boats of this age is to spend a bit more on one that has been sorted, ie recent new engine, sails, standing rigging, cushions etc, rather than getting a tatty boat cheaper, and then spending a fortune.

“We like the foam filled construction, not least because it massively reduces condensation compared to other boats I’ve sailed (and slept) on. The downside is the boat is rather smaller than other 29-footers down below.”

The later Stephen Jones-designed Sadler 290 never achieved the same number of buyers. Its builders folded after around 40 were produced. But that does not detract from this exceptional boat’s performance. Both twin and fin versions have lead keels and sail superbly. If you see one for sale, take a look. But it won’t be cheap.

Timothy Long sailed his Impala 28, Alchemy, solo around the UK; here between Ardrishaig and Tarbert. Photo: Peter Jeanneret/Hunter Association

Best cruising boats under 30 feet: Sportier cruisers

And what about the sportier cruisers of the 1980s and 90s? The Hunter Impala 28 (1977 onwards) has many fans to this day – Timothy Long became the youngest sailor to circumnavigate Britain solo in 2020 sailing an Impala. Designed as an Offshore One Design by David Thomas, the Impala still makes a competitive racer.

But don’t overlook its attributes as a fast cruiser. The interior is practical and simple: twin berth forepeak, enclosed heads to port amidships, galley aft of the main bulkhead to starboard and two settee berths with two pilot berths outboard in the saloon. Originally Impalas came with an outboard in a well; but most now have inboards.

The later Hunter Horizon 30 is an elongated cruising version of the Impala, with a new deck and counter stern. The interior is dramatically different, with twin berth forepeak, saloon settees and aft galley, heads compartment and double aft cabin.

Hunter Horizon 30 – an elongated cruising version of the Impala

Thanks to the superb performance of Thomas’s twin keels (3ft 10in draught with bulbed bases), most buyers chose this option. Its moderate 9ft 3in beam gives good handling and its 43% ballast ratio, 234 DLR and SA/Disp ratio of 19.8 provide sparkling performance. Indeed a twin-keeler took third overall in its CHS class against racy fin-keelers in one Round the Island Race.

Those looking for a beamier fin keel cruiser-racer might find the Thomas-designed Sigma 292 of interest. It didn’t sell in large numbers, compared to the Sigma 33, but shares many of its qualities. The Thomas-designed Hunter Channel 31 (30ft 9in) is an exceptionally quick twin-keeler and a delight to sail and live aboard; but sadly only a few were built.

And finally, going back a few years, Chris Butler’s Achilles 9m also sold well and excelled in the 1984 OSTAR, finishing in 30 days. This sporty fin-keeler has a DLR of 190, SA/Disp ratio of 15.5 and a 43% ballast ratio. A tidy example makes an excellent budget cruiser-racer.

Soulmate, a Hunter Channel 31, owned by Robin Jeavons. Photo: Sven Petersen/Hunter Association

Best cruising boats under 30 feet: Lifting keel options

If you prefer a lifting keel boat around the 30ft mark, the Tony Castro-designed Parker 31 that was built by Parker Yachts between 1987 and 1993 is worth a look. For a high performance yacht, it offers good accommodation with double berth cabins in the forepeak and aft as well as a spacious heads.

Its vertically lifting keel has a wide wing at its base giving a low centre of gravity, a ballast ratio of 32.86% and a draught of 2ft (keel up) and 6ft (keel down). Yachting Monthly said ‘… the performance and handling are remarkable. She is very fast, unexpectedly stable and finger light on the tiller.’ The drawback is that Parker only built 30 before introducing the larger 325 and 335 models then ceased trading in 2009.

The Dick Carter-designed Southerly 95 also offers variable draught, albeit in a heavier and less performance-oriented 31ft 7in cruiser. Its cast iron grounding plate and pivoting keel give a ballast ratio of 46% and a draught of 1ft 10in (keel up) and 5ft 2in (keel down).

So with its transom-mounted rudder and its keel lifted, the 95 is ideal for drying out in secluded creeks. Down below, it offers two berths in the forepeak, a U-shaped saloon settee (convertible to a double berth), an aft heads and aft quarter berth. Most unusually, it also has an inside wheel steering position in addition to a tiller in the cockpit. It was first built in 1980.

As a general rule however, any lifting keel system on an elderly yacht needs close inspection before buying. Whether it pivots, swings or moves vertically up and down it is prone to a lot more stress and strain than a fixed keel. It can also suffer from impact damage. A thorough survey is advisable.

Class association benefit

One big advantage of these British built yachts around 30ft is that almost all have active and helpful class associations. When you are considering the purchase of a yacht whose original builder is no longer active – as is sadly the case with all these British-built yachts – a well run association is a treasure trove of helpful information and advice.

Why not subscribe today?

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Carter 30 Boat for Sale

• accommodation
• mechanical and rigging
• Manufacturer: Carter
• Location: Walton-on-the-Naze
• LOA: 29'9" (9.07m)
• Beam: 7' 0'' (2.13m)
• Draft: 1.68
• Keel: Fin Keel
• ID no.: 4840
• Watertank Size: 40 Litres
• Engine Make: Yanmar 2GM20
• Horsepower: 18hp
• Drive Type: Shaft drive
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Fuel Tank Size: 45 Litres

Broker Remarks

Carter 30 Sailing Yacht for sale.  Designed by Dick Carter and built in 1976.  The Carter 30 is cruiser/racer with fin keel. Yammer 2GM20 18hp (2003). New mainsail and stak pak 2018, new spray hood 2021.  5 berths, with vee berth forward which converts to double. Separate heads, numerous upgrades by the owner over recent years. Please note, cushions not shown in photo's as currently stored off site.  The Carter 30 is a lovely sailing boat with good performance and a practical layout. 

Accommodation

5 berths in 2 cabins V berth at front Marine head - new intake seacock in 2019 Oven Galley sink had a new seacock in 2019 1 x 40L fresh water tank Headliner new in 2018 Some light fittings replaced in 2018 Manual bilge pump Electrical connection ready for an electric bilge pump (no pump)

Mechanical and Rigging

Yanmar 2GM20 18hp inboard engine Engine year 2003 Date of last service September 2021 Shaft drive 2 blade propeller 1 x 45L diesel fuel tank Fully battened mainsail (Jeckells 2018) Stakpack new 2018 Genoa Furling genoa (Parker & Kay 1997) Storm jib Spinnaker (No1 Parker 1998; No2 Parker 1981) Age of standing rigging 2006 Aluminium spars Spinnaker pole Tiller steering

Raytheon depthsounder Log-speedometer (paddles to speed through water broken) Raymarine wind speed and direction Navigation center Raymarine autopilot Compass Garmin 128 GPS Icom ICM411 VHF Battery charger - bought but not installed yet Shore power inlet - bought but not installed yet Oak cockpit Sprayhood new in 2021 Fuel tank new in 2018 New coach roof clutches bought but not installed Windvane self steering - Narvik New main halyard 2021 New spinnaker halyard 2021 1 x 12v engine battery new in 2018 1 x 12v house battery new in 2018

Disclaimer : The company offers the details of this vessel for sale but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of the information contained in the specification or warrant the condition of the vessel or equipment. A buyer should instruct his agents, or surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered for sale subject to no prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.

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• Boat REF#  ·  146726
• Length  ·  9.07m
• Year  ·  1979
• Construction  ·  GRP
• Underwater profile  ·  Fin
• Sleeping berths  ·  5
• Engine  ·  1 x diesel 18hp, Volvo Penta D1-20 (2009)
• Lying  ·  Essex

Boatshed Essex

This boat is off the market but here are some boats that are still for sale.

• Specification
• Additional Information

Extra Details

New Engine and Sail Drive fitted in 2009. Engine Service History with Volspec from new to Nov 2011. Engine filters and oil changed by owner in March 2012.

Sloop rigged Proctor Aluminium spars (1979) with Stainless Steel standing rigging (2002)

Telescopic Spinnaker Pole (new 2008).

Electrical Systems

12 volt battery, 1 batteries charged by: engine

Construction

Accommodation

2 burner propane Stove

3 halyard winches 2 sheet winches Manual Lofrans windlass 2 anchors (CQR & Fishermans) 20.00m of chain 30.00m of rode Sprayhood new in 2010. Lofrans Windlass new in 2006. Large cockpit cover for winter storage.

Nav Equipment

Autohelm Bidata - Speed/Log and Depth. Garnin GPS Map 450S - Colour Plotter/Fishfinder. Husun VHF. Navico TP5000 Autopilot. Handheld Garmin GPS12.

Safety Equipment

2 bilge pumps (2 manual / 0 electric)

4 Man Liferaft in Valise - Requires Servicing. Fire Blanket. 2 Safety Harnesses. Bosuns Chair. Lifesling. Jack Stays.

Broker's Comments

The Carter 30 has an excellent reputation for sea-keeping in all weathers coupled with good sailing performance. This yacht had a new diesel engine and sail drive professionally fitted in 2009. The engine completed little over 300 hours. New teak cockpit seating and locker lids have been fitted in 2013 take a look at the photographs it looks great. Appointments to view can be arranged in advance 6-days a week directly with the Boatshed Essex office. These boat details are subject to contract. Note: Offers on the asking price may be considered.

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Carter 30 Rigging Done Cost $ 12,000 !!!!! (Sydney Harbour) Just Listed

Used yachts for sale, sail monohulls 30ft > 35ft,        carter boats for sale, carter 30 boats for sale.

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Jeanneau Sun Light 30 Review: A Family Cruiser With Racing Influence

• David Harding
• September 24, 2024

As a light and sprightly coastal cruiser with racing potential and room for the family, the Jeanneau Sun Light 30 has much to offer

Product Overview

Jeanneau sun light 30.

When the big French production builders started launching boats like the Jeanneau Sun Light 30 in the mid-to-late 1980s, they got the British builders worried.

I was working in the sales office of Sadler Yachts at the time. Sadlers, along with other British yards such as Westerly, Moody and Hunter, had always prided themselves on producing rugged, capable cruisers that would look after the crew when the going got tough and that were built to last.

Aesthetics are important to some owners, and the Sun Light is less stark and angular than many more recent designs. Photo: David Harding

Then along came the new wave of family cruisers from across the Channel. They were typically much lighter than the British designs, with beamy, higher-volume hulls and spacious, airy interiors. Many of them sailed nicely in light airs and, importantly, they had room for a heads compartment and double cabin in their broad sterns.

This layout had first been seen on small boats in Jeanneau’s 27ft Fantasia in the early 1980s, and it caught on.

With some exceptions, British builders tended to stick to a more traditional approach in terms of both design and interior layout. For a while at least, the home-grown boats put up a good fight, often finding favour among owners with more offshore experience. When eventually most of their builders disappeared, it wasn’t just because the designs had become dated.

The conventional interior layout with its teak trim incorporates good handholds and stowage. Photo: David Harding

Whatever the reasons for the decline of the sailing-yacht industry in the UK, there’s no doubt that the French designs found wide appeal. Newcomers in particular often saw no point in buying a relatively narrow, heavy boat with a deeper, darker and smaller interior if they could have a boat that was lighter, brighter, cheaper and roomier – especially if it also sailed well in the sort of conditions they would want to go out in.

Jeanneau Sun Light 30: State of the eighties

One such design to emerge was Jeanneau’s Sun Light 30. She was designed in 1986 by Daniel Andrieu, a designer with an impressive record of race-winners under the IOR (International Offshore Rule). Many builders adapted successful IOR level-rating designs (quarter-tonners, half-tonners etc) by giving them smaller rigs and shallower keels and selling them as production cruisers with a winning pedigree.

Some of these were very successful for builders such as Beneteau and Jeanneau but, while the Sun Light was from a designer with a proven track record in the IOR, she wasn’t simply a de-tuned half-tonner.

New winches and running rigging can make a big difference to the ease of handling on an older boat. Photo: David Harding

Her racing influence was evident in her weight of just 6,800lb (3,100kg). Her rig was also of typical IOR proportions, with a large fore-triangle, overlapping headsails and a relatively small, high aspect-ratio mainsail. On the other hand, she had a more sensible keel than many IOR designs: essentially a parallelogram with a radius to the trailing edge and a slight swelling at the tip.

A further cruising ‘concession’ was a partial skeg in front of the rudder. With her generous beam and a broad stern by the standards of the day, the Sun Light was a prime example of the new generation of light, roomy and nippy cruiser/racers. Not surprisingly, she proved popular.

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Looking to an upgrade

And, nearly 30 years later, she appealed to Paul Dale when he was looking for a 30-footer as a move up from his 24ft Fox Hound. At the time, Paul’s other boat was a Dufour 41 that he had sailed across to the Caribbean and kept (and raced) in Grenada. He and his wife wanted a small boat to keep on their mooring in Chichester for local sailing. The limitations of the Fox Hound’s size, however, meant that they started looking for something bigger after a couple of years, and 30ft (9m) seemed about the right length.

Paul had experience in boats both bigger and smaller, including his first boat (a Halcyon 27), a Contest 33, a Sigma 362 that he had raced extensively in RORC and JOG events, the Dufour, which he bought after the Sigma as a bigger and more comfortable boat for the ARC, and the Fox Hound.

A lifelong cruising and racing sailor, Paul Dale has owned boats from a Foxhound 24 to a Dufour 41. Photo: David Harding

‘We wanted our replacement for the Fox Hound to be capable of going across to Brittany or Normandy and living on for a week or two,’ said Paul, ‘so we bought this as a temporary measure. Then we sold the Dufour and thought we would put the money into something a bit more fancy.’

That was the initial plan, but what to buy? The reasoning behind the purchase and subsequent refurbishment of the Jeanneau Sun Light 30– and then the decision to keep it instead of buying a new boat – will be covered in an article by Paul in an upcoming issue as it is a good lesson in why an old boat can be as good as a new one. Suffice it to say that he saw nothing new of similar size that appealed, in terms of aesthetics (an important consideration) or functionality.

A friend bought a new 30-footer that, in races, Paul’s Jeanneau Sun Light 30 sailed straight past. Signs that the joinery on his friend’s new boat might not be set to last particularly well were a further consideration, so he decided to stick with what he had.

Boarding gates are a useful addition, rarely seen on boats of this size and age. Photo: David Harding

Old and good

Having now sailed Alexia for 10 years, Paul is more than happy with his decision not to change. But what is it about this design, now approaching 40 years old, that makes it so practical and versatile? I joined him on what eventually turned into a bright and breezy day to find out.

The mainsheet runs across a track on the aft end of the bridgedeck. Photo: David Harding

Alexia had been brought in from the mooring and was waiting alongside the Itchenor pontoon when I arrived, so there was no need to use the sugar-scoop to climb aboard over the stern. New boats typically have hinge-down transom platforms instead of sugar-scoops, to minimise ‘wasted’ hull length, but they only allow easier stern-boarding – whether from a dinghy or from the water – if lowered in advance. A sugar-scoop is there all the time. For convenience and safety, that has to be a significant plus.

For climbing aboard via the topsides, Paul fitted boarding gates between the stanchions. When the Jeanneau Sun Light 30 was new, she was sometimes criticised for having a deck that flexed in way of the stanchion feet – partly a result of her light weight – but the new feet for the gates felt pretty firm.

Wide, well-angled coamings make a very comfortable perch for the helmsman. Photo: David Harding

Punching the tide down the harbour was made easy by the new 20hp Yanmar 3YM, which gave us a comfortable 5 knots over the ground and 6 knots or more through the water. As we went, Paul explained that the boat was in heavy-displacement mode, carrying 200 litres of water and 90 litres of fuel ready for an imminent cruise to France. He fitted extra tanks, roughly doubling the standard capacity, for spending longer aboard. He accepts that the substantial increase in displacement inevitably slows down a boat that’s so light by design.

Performance features

Helping Alexia’s performance were features that you don’t always find on boats of this size and age, such as the Featherstream prop (‘a great buy’) and new (double-taffeta) laminate sails by North. Many 40-year-old boats have hardware well past its prime that makes for inefficient sail-handling, whereas Paul fitted new Lewmar self-tailing winches and Dyneema running rigging.

Generous beam creates plenty of space around the galley and chart table. Photo: David Harding

When we set sail off West Pole and I hopped into the RIB to take the photos, a south-westerly of 16-18 knots prompted Paul to start with one slab in the main. The wind soon decreased, and had dropped so much by the time I got back aboard that we had to shake out the reef. As we did so, I suggested that it might provoke the wind into returning.

About two minutes later, we saw a band of fresh-looking breeze filling in from about 30° to the left of its original direction. When it reached us, we found it was a mean of 20 knots gusting to over 23, and we were set up for 12-15 knots in terms of halyard tension, outhaul and all the other settings, quite apart from simply carrying too much sail.

Since time was against us and it would have taken more than a few minutes to adjust everything, I had a good opportunity to see how the boat behaved when well over-pressed. She handled surprisingly well, letting me feather her into the fresher patches while maintaining enough drive to power through the steep sea. The helm remained nicely balanced and our speed over the ground, with some adverse current, hovered in the mid-to-high 4s. Had we reconfigured everything I’m sure we could have achieved 5 knots even given the sea state and our draught of just 4ft 9in (1.45m). Over 5 knots would seem likely in flat water, especially with the optional deeper fin.

Caps, intermediates, forward lowers and aft lowers are all taken to separate chainplates in the middle of the side decks. Photo: David Harding

Significantly, the boat didn’t feel remotely skittish or on the edge. She had an easy motion and felt far more comfortable than might have been expected, given what we were asking of her. Downwind, she picked up her skirts and surfed readily as we gybed the angles back towards the harbour, frequently clocking over 8 knots. This is undoubtedly a quick, rewarding and responsive boat to sail that, as Paul observes, also sails more upright than many older designs.

A comfortable perch

For die-hard dinghy sailors – even those of us who have covered a few miles offshore – there’s still nowhere better to helm from than a comfortably angled cockpit coaming, with a tiller extension in one hand and the mainsheet within easy reach. That’s what you get with the Sun Light, and it adds to the pleasure of sailing her.

If you ask her to bear away without easing the mainsheet – you shouldn’t, but sometimes you have to – she responds dutifully, the rudder maintaining good grip.

The primary feature of designs from this era that can make them harder to sail is the size of the headsail, in this case combined with forward lowers to add to the fun of tacking. Those new Lewmar self-tailers definitely earn their keep.

A nav station with a well-sized chart table and space for instruments. Photo: David Harding

Then, when the breeze kicks in, you have to suffer the compromise of a rolled headsail whereas, with a newer design, you would de-power the mainsail and perhaps twist out the headsail slightly – all much easier to do. That’s one of the few compromises often seen in boats influenced by the IOR.

Although Alexia took the moderately brisk conditions of the day in her stride, Paul knows where the limits lie – for the boat and for him. ‘She’s far too light to be a serious offshore boat, because you get thrown about so much in a seaway. But with better forecasts, it’s not as though you have to endure ghastly weather these days.

For a Channel crossing going to windward, I would set out in a Force 3, maximum 4. If it’s a reach I will go up to Force 5, and if it’s a run or on the quarter I’ll go in a 6.’ When you’ve got wherever you’re going, the Sun Light offers good comfort and plenty of space below decks. Some of the woodwork has been replaced and much of it refurbished following Paul’s purchase.

Leech reefing pennants and the outhaul are handled by a winch on the mastLeech reefing pennants and the outhaul are handled by a winch on the mast. Photo: David Harding

The layout is conventional for the time, with the galley to port forward of the aft cabin, and the heads abaft the chart table to starboard. That’s unless you have the alternative layout with a linear galley to port opposite a dinette. The chart table– rarely seen on modern boats of this size – is another feature that Paul values, for use as a desk or just somewhere to sit and relax with a book. He considers the slightly smaller heads to be a worthwhile trade-off.

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Alexia is an example of how a 40-year-old boat can still be a fast, roomy, versatile and easy-to-handle cruiser if you choose the right design and, as Paul puts it, ‘if you’re prepared to spend the money and not put up with horrible old kit’. He acknowledges that he has spent more than he would ever see back if he were to sell – which he has no intention of doing – but he has got the boat he wants, for much less than the price of a new one. As ever with a boat, the important thing is to choose it according to the sort of sailing you have in mind. This owner knows what he likes and he knows what the boat likes. They get on together very well indeed.

Vince Carter to be 1st player in Raptors' 30-year history to have number retired: reports

47-year-old will be honoured nov. 2; ranks 4th in franchise history with 9,420 points.

Social Sharing

Former Toronto Raptors star Vince Carter will have his No. 15 retired by the NBA team this season, according to multiple media reports.

The 47-year-old Hall of Famer is expected to have his jersey retired in Toronto on Nov. 2 and will become the first Raptor to receive the honour.

Carter was the Raptors' first superstar and is credited for raising the profile of the team and igniting enthusiasm for basketball across Canada.

But the decision to retire his jersey is polarizing, with some fans and local media members still smarting from his acrimonious departure from the team in December 2004.

Carter was traded to the New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets for a meagre return early in the 2004-05 season amid claims that he "quit" on the team.

Carter averaged 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals over 403 games with the Raptors.

During his time in Toronto, the athletic Carter was perhaps best known for his highlight-reel dunking ability. He won the NBA's slam dunk contest in 2000 with a memorable performance, clinching the title with a 360-degree windmill jam.

• Vince Carter headlines 13-member class for Basketball Hall of Fame
• Former Raptors star Vince Carter retires after record 22 seasons

Carter made his debut with the Raptors in 1998 after being traded to Toronto at that year's draft after being selected fifth overall by Golden State.

Nicknamed "Air Canada" during his time north of the border, Carter was the 1998-99 NBA rookie of the year with Toronto.

"You play 22 years, there's a lot of moments that have happened that have been influential and close to my heart."<br><br>Vince Carter on what it means to be inducted into the <a href="https://twitter.com/Hoophall?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Hoophall</a>! <a href="https://t.co/5xyLL32Eql">pic.twitter.com/5xyLL32Eql</a> &mdash; @NBA

He was an eight-time NBA all-star (2000-07), but even when his explosiveness left him, he managed to find a niche as a veteran role player.

Carter retired after the 2019-20 campaign while with the Atlanta Hawks — he posted 25,728 points in 1,541 games over 22 seasons eight NBA teams — and is the only NBA player to suit up for action in four different decades.

He also played with Dallas, Memphis, Orlando, Sacramento and Phoenix. Carter finished with averages of 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3,1 assists and one steal over 1,541 regular-season NBA games.

Carter will enter the Basketball Hall of Fame next month and will have his number retired by the Nets in January.

Carter still holds the Raptors' single-season scoring record with 27.6 points per game in 2000-01. He ranks fourth in franchise history in career scoring with 9,420 points.

With files from Field Level Media

Related Stories

• Vinsanity returns: A look at some of Vince Carter's highlights in Toronto
• He's the NBA's old man, but the game still makes Vince Carter feel like a kid
• Creating his own legend: Vince Carter's role continues to evolve
• More NBA coverage

External Links

• PLAYER STATS: Vince Carter

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