Hunter 30 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used Hunter 30 means weighing a 1970s coastal cruiser built in volume against the realities of budget-era construction. John Cherubini drew the design and Hunter Marine produced it from 1973 to 1983, with more than 1,000 finished; a portion left the factory as Quest 30 bare-hull kits that the original purchaser completed. What you find on the brokerage market is a full-hulled, 30-foot masthead sloop whose appeal is space and simplicity rather than finish.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin layouts are the more common on the used market, but both are available; ex-charter examples are common. The boat's very full hull was shaped to maximize interior room, so even the older laminated joinery arrangements give a buyer more living space than the length suggests. Ex-charter history is worth noting because such use differs from private upkeep.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Autopilots and chartplotters are commonly fitted, which tells you most survivors have been brought into modern navigation. Dodgers, spinnakers, hot water, and swim platforms are often seen, clustering around cockpit comfort and sail handling. Less common buyer additions include biminis, air conditioning, solar, inverters, radar, asymmetric spinnakers, dinghy davits, and short-handed rigging — these matter when you want off-grid power or easier single-person handling, but their absence is not a defect. A wheel was standard and a T cockpit came in after 1980, so helm and cockpit layout depend on the build year more than on owner whim.
What to Inspect
The Hunter 30's early decks used a painted-on nonskid aggregate rather than molded pattern, so check the foredeck and side decks for worn spots where the aggregate has gone and the underlying fiberglass is slick anchor. Run a hand over those areas; bare, glossy glass means traction is gone and a re-coat is ahead. Inside, expect rough glasswork and laminated floor and furniture that looked dated even when new — confirm it is sound rather than cosmetically rough. For any Quest 30, verify how the interior was completed: since a number were sold as sail-away bare-hull kits with the purchaser finishing the interior and fitting, inspect bulkhead bonds, cabinet fastenings, and electrical runs for amateur execution anchor. A conventional flange with through-bolted aluminum toerail joins hull and deck, so look for weeping or corrosion at that joint.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats turn up in the United States, Netherlands, Canada, and France. Before you commit, walk through this short list:
- Confirm the build year for wheel, T cockpit, and anchor well.
- Check the painted nonskid for worn-through slick glass.
- Inspect Quest 30 interiors for amateur completion quality.
- Look at the hull-deck flange for staining or toerail corrosion.
- Verify engine horsepower tier against build period.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Hunter 30. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 17 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 25 | 2 | $18,500 | — |
| Apr 25 | 2 | $7,500 | -59.5% |
| May 25 | 3 | $6,000 | -20.0% |
| Jun 25 | 6 | $16,750 | +179.2% |
| Jul 25 | 6 | $12,500 | -25.4% |
| Sep 25 | 8 | $21,000 | +68.0% |
| Oct 25 | 1 | $24,000 | +14.3% |
| Nov 25 | 4 | $15,000 | -37.5% |
| Dec 25 | 3 | $12,000 | -20.0% |
| Jan 26 | 4 | $28,307 | +135.9% |
| Feb 26 | 2 | $14,500 | -48.8% |
| Mar 26 | 3 | $22,500 | +55.2% |
| Apr 26 | 7 | $22,000 | -2.2% |
| May 26 | 2 | $28,556 | +29.8% |
| Jun 26 | 1 | $5,900 | -79.3% |
| Jul 26 | 4 | $29,000 | +391.5% |
| Aug 26 | 2 | $19,700 | -32.1% |
Where they're listed
Hunter 30 listings appear across 4 countries. United States has the most listings with 36 (87.8%), followed by Netherlands and Canada.
Country view
41 listings · 4 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $21,500 | 36 | 6 | 87.8% |
| Netherlands | $26,072 | 3 | 2 | 7.3% |
| Canada | $29,990 | 1 | 0 | 2.4% |
| France | $45,191 | 1 | 0 | 2.4% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
6 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina 30 | 29.92' | $ 15,000 | 210 | 55 |
| Hunter 27 | 27.17' | $ 24,900 | 54 | 15 |
| Hunter 30You are here | — | $ 22,000 | 41 | 8 |
| Judel/Vrolijk J/30 | 29.83' | $ 14,500 | 25 | 8 |
| Pearson 30 | 29.79' | $ 7,000 | 20 | 6 |
| Hustler 30 | 30' | $ 6,709 | 6 | 0 |