Fisher 30 MS Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used brokerage market for a Fisher 30 MS means looking at a boat that defined the motorsailer category and sold in volume through the late 1970s and 1980s. These are heavy, long-keeled ketches with teak interiors and a reputation as the most popular model of their line Yachting Monthly noted, so the used Fisher 30 MS fleet is sizable and spread across several countries.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Fisher 30 MS carries a six-berth layout with a galley, enclosed head, and 230 liters of fresh water, derived from the smaller Fisher 25's accommodation but enlarged for the 30-foot hull. The solid fiberglass deck and encapsulated iron long keel are consistent across the class, with a 34 hp Volvo Penta MD3B standard and a 46 hp Perkins diesel noted on some boats. A 30-foot overall length with a 25-foot waterline and 9-foot 3-inch beam gives a roomy, stable interior rather than a performance-oriented plan.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
A short-handed setup, cabin heating, and a chartplotter are commonly fitted to boats on the market, meaning most buyers will find a vessel already set up for easier single- or two-person operation and modern navigation. Often-seen upgrades include solar panels and an inverter for house power, a bow thruster for close-quarters control given the long keel, hot water and a cockpit shower for comfort, plus radar and autopilot for offshore passage-making. These clusters matter: solar and inverter reduce generator dependence, while bow thruster and autopilot offset the handling weight of a 14,500-pound hull.
What to Inspect
The Fisher 30 MS uses a solid fiberglass hull with iron ballast in a long keel, and the wetted surface runs about 24 square meters per the dimension. A buyer should confirm the shaft-drive transmission and diesel installation, as the boat may carry either the 34 hp or 46 hp engine. The ketch rig's standing rigging and sheet sizes (12 mm diameters on 9–23 meter runs) should be checked for age, and the teak interior inspected for the usual wear of a 40-year-old cabin.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The typical markets for the Fisher 30 MS are the United States, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, so buyers in those regions will find the widest selection. For a purchaser, the checklist is straightforward:
- Verify engine make and horsepower (Volvo Penta MD3B or Perkins diesel)
- Inspect shaft drive and keel-hull joint on the long iron ballast keel
- Confirm core equipment: short-handed rigging, heating, chartplotter commonly present
- Check solar, inverter, bow thruster, autopilot if valued for your use
- Survey teak interior and ketch rigging for age-related wear
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Fisher 30 MS. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 3 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25 | 2 | $59,000 | — |
| Sep 25 | 2 | $35,438 | -39.9% |
| Apr 26 | 2 | $49,500 | +39.7% |
Where they're listed
Fisher 30 MS listings appear across 3 countries. United States has the most listings with 2 (50.0%), followed by United Kingdom and Ireland.
Country view
4 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $49,500 | 2 | 0 | 50.0% |
| United Kingdom | $36,025 | 1 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Ireland | $34,850 | 1 | 0 | 25.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
7 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northshore 34 MS | 34.33' | $ 74,716 | 29 | 5 |
| Cape Dory 300 MS | 29.85' | $ 34,900 | 14 | 8 |
| Fiskars, Turku Boatyard, Turku, Finland 35 | 35' | $ 23,311 | 14 | 1 |
| Seadog 30 | 30' | $ 16,316 | 9 | 2 |
| Fjord 33 MS | 32.91' | $ 34,464 | 7 | 2 |
| Degerö Yachts 28 MS | 27.72' | $ 38,347 | 7 | 4 |
| Northshore 30 MSYou are here | — | $ 38,013 | 4 | 0 |