Morgan 30 Buyer's Guide
Shopping a used Morgan 30 means taking a long look at a 1960s Charles Morgan design built by Morgan Yachts, a shoal-draft centerboard sloop with more than 300 built. These are simple, tiller-steered coastal cruisers with gasoline power and a low-aspect genoa rig, and the right one rewards an owner who can live with modest performance and a few period weaknesses.
Layouts on the Used Market
The standard interior places a fore-and-aft galley to starboard and a dinette to port, with a pocket door beneath the mast partners closing off the forward V-berth, head, and hanging locker. On paper she sleeps seven, though the real comfort is the separated bow cabin and the 6-foot 2-inch headroom. A few boats were sold as bare hulls for owner finishing, so some examples may show non-standard joinery or systems where the original buyer deviated from the factory plan.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Many boats on the market now carry a bimini and dodger for cockpit shelter, and solar panels are often fitted to supplement the original single-battery 12-volt system. A bow thruster and electric winches show up on some, easing the boat's noted reluctance to back down or hand-steer in tight spots. Spinnakers, autopilots, and chartplotters are also frequently seen, along with teak decks that a buyer should inspect for caulking and core condition.
What to Inspect
The deck-to-hull joint on these boats is a known leak path where the deck was through-bolted to an inward-turning hull flange anchor, so check for staining or softness along the sheer and rebedding history. Cockpit drains are small and the companionway sill is low, so verify that neither shows signs of flooding or repeated water entry below. Blisters have been documented in many Morgan hulls, though earlier thicker-layup boats seem less prone, so a hull survey for osmosis is prudent. Broken centerboards, leaky ports, and corroding mast steps are common restoration finds, and the fiberglass centerboard should be cycled to confirm it seats and swings freely.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Morgan 30s typically appear in the United States and United Kingdom. Before you commit, run through these points:
- Survey the deck-to-hull joint for leaks and softness.
- Confirm the centerboard swings and seats without binding.
- Check ports and mast steps for corrosion or seepage.
- Test cockpit drainage and companionway sealing.
- Verify the core condition under any teak decks.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Morgan 30. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 4 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 25 | 1 | $12,000 | — |
| Aug 25 | 1 | $3,000 | -75.0% |
| Jun 26 | 1 | $10,000 | +233.3% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $11,997 | +20.0% |
Where they're listed
Morgan 30 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 2.
Country view
2 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $10,999 | 2 | 2 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
3 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Yachts 34 | 34' | $ 32,475 | 14 | 4 |
| Morgan Yachts 32 | 31.92' | $ 27,120 | 7 | 0 |
| Morgan 30You are here | — | $ 10,999 | 2 | 2 |