Design and Construction
The hull is hand-laid fiberglass, and the boat carries a fin keel of iron. With a length overall of just under 32 feet and a waterline near 25 feet, the 30 sits on a beam of about 10 feet and draws roughly 4.9 to 5.2 feet depending on load. The ballast ratio of 32 percent and a displacement-length ratio near 282 describe a heavy, volume-oriented hull rather than a lithe racer; the capsize screening value of 1.93 and a motion comfort ratio of 25.3 to 26.1 reinforce the picture of a stable, damped coastal cruiser. The wetted surface of about 290 square feet and an immersion rate of 904 pounds per inch speak to a hull that settles gently under stores and fuel.
Rig and Handling
The Finnsailer 30 is built with a masthead rig, and the sail area for mainsail and jib is about 323 square feet. Under the ISO 8666 reference sail the sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 14.1, rising to 16.9 with a 135 percent genoa, which is modest but workable for a motorsailer of this displacement. The theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull this length is 6.7 knots, while the calculated top speed is about 5.6 knots and the relative speed performance index sits at 14 — figures consistent with a boat whose character is as much about the engine as the canvas. The inboard Volvo Penta MD11C diesel of 23 horsepower with saildrive transmission provides the auxiliary push that defines the type.
Accommodations
Below, the Finnsailer 30 is equipped with two cabins and five berths, a galley, and a toilet facility. The interior, like many boats of its origin, is made of mahogany. Fresh water capacity is 120 liters. The layout serves a small family or a couple with guests rather than a charter crowd, and the mahogany joinery gives the saloon a warm, period Scandinavian feel that has aged better than many synthetic alternatives.
The Verdict
The Finnsailer 30 is a scarce, thoughtfully engineered motorsailer from the close of Fiskars' sailing-yacht chapter. Its hand-laid hull, iron fin keel, and stable proportions make it a reassuring coastal vessel, while the masthead rig and modest sail plan suit relaxed cruising backed by a dependable diesel. The rarity means spares and comparable boats are few, and the saildrive invites careful inspection.
Pros
- Stable, comfort-oriented hull with strong ballast and comfort ratios
- Hand-laid fiberglass construction with iron fin keel
- Two-cabin, five-berth layout with mahogany interior
- Masthead rig with genoa option for improved sail-area ratio
Cons
- Only a few built, limiting comparable-market reference
- Modest top speed and sail-area ratios suit motoring more than sailing
- Saildrive transmission requires attentive survey
