Cape Dory 300 MS Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The 300 MS carries a long, full keel with a high cabin trunk, and at 11 feet 5 inches her beam runs almost to the stern to translate into real usable space below. The hull is solid fiberglass, with 4,500 pounds of lead ballast encapsulated in a long shallow keel that places the propeller in a large aperture ahead of a relatively small attached rudder. Displacement is 11,500 pounds, giving a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 39.13 and a comfort ratio of 25.22 — figures that suit a boat built to stand steady in a seaway rather than to win a buoy race. The side decks are deliberately narrow to maximize interior volume, and the cabin trunk is high with handrails running aft to the pilothouse roof. Large hatches on both the cabin top and pilothouse provide ample ventilation, and a teak anchor platform sits on a molded fiberglass structure forming part of the small foredeck.

Rig and Handling

The 300 MS is a masthead sloop with a traditional single-spreader rig; halyards terminate at winches on the mast, and a traveler mounted forward of the mast allows a self-tacking jib, with genoa tracks on the toe rail for a larger sail. Under power the Westerbeke 46 diesel develops 46 horsepower and burns roughly a gallon an hour, driving her at a cruising speed of about 6 to 6.5 knots and as much as 7.5 in a hurry. The flat run aft on the wide beam reduces stern squat under power, and the full keel helps her track straight, which eases helm workload. The trade-off with that directional stability is less than stellar maneuverability in marinas or tight anchorages because of the full keel. Under sail, with a reported area of 442 square feet and a sail-area-to-displacement ratio near 14, she is no light-air performer, but as breeze builds into the 10 to 15 knot range she settles in, tracks well, and makes steady, comfortable progress; hull speed is just shy of 7 knots.

Accommodations

The pilothouse is the heart of the boat, with excellent visibility through real glass rather than hazy plastic. The lockable companionway forms the forward bulkhead of the pilothouse, originally open aft to the cockpit, though most owners have since enclosed that end with canvas or a solid partition. Below, the layout favors living space: an expansive galley to starboard carries a two-burner stove, a large icebox, and the boat's 75-gallon water supply, while a port-side dinette drops into extra sleeping room. Forward, the V-berth is generous for the length with a hanging locker to starboard, and the head to port is functional. The beam carried aft makes the interior feel larger than the 30-foot envelope suggests.

Known Issues

Pilothouse windows are a known discussion point among owners, usually signaling potential for leaks or aging seals, and the steering system warrants careful inspection, including confirmation that the emergency tiller is present and usable. Otherwise, owner discussions are notable for the absence of widespread structural concerns. The full keel that aids tracking is also the source of the tight-quarters handling limitation already noted.

Refits and Ownership

Many 300 MS owners have converted the boat so all sail controls lead back to the pilothouse, removing the need to go forward in weather. Enclosing the aft end of the pilothouse is a common and practical modification. A documented refit example shows the kind of big-ticket work a buyer may encounter: its Westerbeke 46 was rebuilt in 2016, and it carried a newer mainsail, roller furling, a serviceable jib, about 300 watts of solar, and a manual foredeck windlass — the sort of refit that signals attentive ownership.

The Verdict

The Cape Dory 300 MS is a deliberate motorsailer: slow to accelerate and stiff to pivot in a slip, but secure, roomy for her length, and forgiving when the wind fills in. She suits a coastal cruiser who values a warm pilothouse and a steady helm over sparkling performance.

Pros