⛵ Used Sailboat Buying Guides
Model-specific guides for the most common production sailboats on the used market. Each guide covers known problems, what to look for at survey, typical price ranges by year and condition, and where to find the active owner communities.
Always get a survey. No matter how good a boat looks, hire an ABYC-certified marine surveyor before making any offer. A $600–$900 survey that reveals $15,000 in deferred maintenance is the best money you'll spend. See our Puget Sound Surveyors directory.
🚤 Under 25 ft — Daysailers & Trailerable Keelboats
Catalina 22
1970–2005 • ~15,000 built • 22 ft
LOA: 21'6"
Displ: 1,900 lb
Price: $2K–$14K
The most popular trailerable keelboat ever built. Swing keel or fixed keel. Huge parts availability and owner community.
Swing keel pinKeel cableTrailer
📖 Full Guide →
O'Day 23
1969–1989 • ~3,500 built • 23 ft
LOA: 23'3"
Displ: 2,200 lb
Price: $2K–$12K
Classic pop-top weekender with a centerboard or fixed keel option. Comfortable for its size; the CB cable and pendant are the critical maintenance item.
CB cableCB pivot boltPop-top canvas
📖 Full Guide →
⛵ 25–34 ft — The Most Active Buying Market
Catalina 30
1974–2000 • ~6,430 built • 30 ft
LOA: 29'11"
Displ: 10,200 lb
Price: $12K–$38K
The most prevalent coastal cruiser in North America — dominant in Puget Sound marinas. Excellent parts availability via Catalina Direct. The benchmark boat in its class.
Keel boltsWet deck coreThrough-hulls
📖 Full Guide →
Catalina 27
1970–1988 • ~6,662 built • 27 ft
LOA: 26'9"
Displ: 7,000 lb
Price: $5K–$14K
The most-produced 27-footer ever built — an affordable stepping stone to cruising. Entry-level budget with a forgiving hull and huge parts network.
Aged riggingThrough-hullsDeck leaks
📖 Full Guide →
Ericson 27
1963–1979 • ~1,302 built • 27 ft
LOA: 27 ft
Displ: 7,200 lb
Price: $8K–$18K
Bruce King-designed performance cruiser with exceptional sailing qualities and a loyal owner community. One of the best-sailing 27-footers ever built — if the chainplates have been done.
ChainplatesThrough-hullsInterior liner
📖 Full Guide →
Hunter 30
1974–1985 • ~2,000 built • 30 ft
LOA: 30 ft
Displ: 8,700 lb
Price: $8K–$18K
Wide, stable, and comfortable with good interior volume for the length. A practical choice for the budget-conscious coastal cruiser.
ChainplatesStanding riggingInterior liner
📖 Full Guide →
O'Day 25
1968–1985 • ~2,900 built • 25 ft
LOA: 25 ft
Displ: 4,400 lb
Price: $3K–$9K
Affordable entry-level cruising keelboat with CB or fixed keel. Good beginner boat with lots on the market. Age-related systems need attention on any example.
Through-hullsCB cableRigging
📖 Full Guide →
Pearson 28
1969–1981 • ~1,800 built • 28 ft
LOA: 28 ft
Displ: 7,250 lb
Price: $5K–$14K
Premium build quality from Bristol, RI. 44% ballast ratio — exceptionally stiff for its size. Often undervalued on the market. Systems need updating but the hull is outstanding.
Through-hullsAtomic 4 engineRigging
📖 Full Guide →
Cape Dory 28
1976–1986 • ~700 built • 28 ft
LOA: 28 ft
Displ: 7,700 lb
Price: $12K–$30K
Carl Alberg full-keel design with exceptional Cape Dory build quality. Commands a strong premium — deservedly. Shorter issues list than most boats. Teak decks are the key cosmetic variable.
Through-hullsTeak decksRigging
📖 Full Guide →
🌊 35–50 ft — Serious Cruisers & Liveaboards
Catalina 36
1982–2000 • ~3,500 built • 36 ft
LOA: 36 ft
Displ: 13,550 lb
Price: $20K–$55K
Most-produced American 36-footer and a popular liveaboard. Excellent interior volume. Same critical issues as the C30 at larger scale — keel bolts and wet deck core are the priorities.
Keel boltsThrough-hullsWet core
📖 Full Guide →
Island Packet 35
1984–1998 • ~500 built • 35 ft
LOA: 35 ft
Displ: 16,900 lb
Price: $35K–$85K
Solid fiberglass hull, integral keel — no keel bolts, no wet core. The shortest known-issues list of any boat in these guides. Premium price holds at resale. Built for bluewater.
Through-hullsEngine hoursTeak decks
📖 Full Guide →
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