Cape Dory 300 MS Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

There is effectively one interior arrangement for the Cape Dory 300 MS, and its defining feature is the raised pilot house amidships. This structure creates a second living space that fundamentally changes how the boat is used. The wide beam carried nearly to the stern gives you interior volume you don't normally get on a 30-ft. sailboat of that era. Stepping below, the main saloon places an expansive galley to starboard and a dinette to port. The galley was designed with extended cruising in mind, featuring a two-burner stove, a large icebox, and generous storage served by a 75-gallon water capacity. The dinette converts to extra sleeping space when needed. Forward, the V-berth is described as generous for a boat this size, with a hanging locker to starboard, while the head lies to port and is functional rather than lavish. The lockable companionway is integrated into the forward bulkhead of the pilothouse, and from the factory the aft end of the house was open to the cockpit. A nearly universal modification—most owners have probably enclosed that aft end with canvas or a solid structure—more than doubles the boat's practical living area and is something a buyer should expect to find already completed on the brokerage market.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Boats that appear on the used market commonly carry a bimini, and it is often paired with a more extensive cockpit or pilothouse enclosure that transforms the open after section into protected living space. Given the boat's cruising ambitions, you will often see a chartplotter integrated into the helm station, along with a short-handed setup that reflects the 300 MS's appeal to couples and solo sailors. Air conditioning is also an often-seen addition. Among the less common but highly valued owner upgrades, solar panels and an inverter are sometimes fitted to support extended time away from shore power. A furling mainsail, electric winches, radar, and a dedicated autopilot fall into the same category—worth looking for but not guaranteed on every listing. A swim platform appears occasionally. The original rig was a traditional masthead single-spreader setup with halyard winches on the mast, but many boats have since been converted to lead all sail controls back to the pilothouse.

What to Inspect

The 300 MS has earned a reputation as a well-aging boat with an absence of widespread structural concerns in owner discussions, which is reassuring for a buyer approaching a vessel now three to four decades old. That does not mean a survey is a formality. The pilot house windows are a known discussion point among owners, which usually indicates potential for leaks or aging seals. A careful inspection of every window frame, bedding, and any sign of water intrusion in the surrounding headliner or cabinetry should be a priority. The steering system also deserves methodical attention; the steering system should be inspected carefully, including confirming the emergency tiller is present and usable. Beyond these specific items, a buyer should approach the survey with an eye toward the typical aging patterns of a fiberglass cruising boat of this era: check the condition of the diesel engine (sources differ on the make—the review documents a rebuilt Westerbeke 46, while spec data lists Vire), the integrity of the fuel tanks given the 50-gallon capacity, the standing rigging on the masthead sloop rig, and the quality of any owner-installed electrical work related to common upgrades such as inverters or solar charging.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Cape Dory 300 MS appears almost exclusively on the market in the United States. With total production limited to 47 boats, the pool of available vessels at any given time is inherently small, and a prospective buyer should be prepared to travel for the right example. The ideal candidate is someone who values a stable, planted ride and all-weather protection over sailing performance—this is a boat that comes alive in a 10 to 15 knot breeze and delivers steady, comfortable progress, but it will never point high or accelerate out of a tack like a fin-keel design. The full keel tracks beautifully at sea but demands patience in tight marinas. For the buyer who prioritizes comfort, flexibility, and the rare luxury of a true pilothouse on a 30-foot hull, the 300 MS is a distinctive and deeply capable choice.

Buyer's checklist

• Confirm the pilothouse aft enclosure is in place or budget for the project.
• Inspect all pilothouse windows and seals for leaks.
• Verify the emergency tiller is present and functional.
• Assess the steering system for wear and smooth operation.
• Check age and condition of the diesel engine (sources differ on make: Westerbeke 46 per the review, Vire per spec data).
• Survey standing rigging and look for evidence of sail-control upgrades led aft.
• Test tanks, plumbing, and electrical additions such as inverters and solar controllers.
• Request records of any structural or blister repairs, though widespread issues are uncommon.