The Olson 30 stands as the definitive benchmark for the Ultra-Light Displacement Boat (ULDB) movement that revolutionized West Coast sailing in the late 1970s. Designed by George Olson and launched by Pacific Boat Works in 1978, the vessel was born from the surfboard-shaping culture of Santa Cruz, California. It was engineered specifically to excel in the "downwind sled" racing scene, where the objective was to plane over the Pacific swells rather than plow through them. With a displacement of only 3,600 pounds on a 30-foot frame, the Olson 30 achieved a power-to-weight ratio that was nearly unprecedented for a production fiberglass boat of its era. While George Olson initially designed the boat to compete in the Midget Ocean Racing Club (MORC) circuit, its legacy was cemented by its dominance in coastal point-to-point races and its surprising ability to handle offshore passages like the Transpac.
Olson 30 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Olson
- Model
- 30
- Builder
- Pacific Boats Inc.
- Designer
- George Olsen
- Number Built
- 250
- Production Year(s)
- 1978 - 1984
Below are the most recent Olson 30 sailboat listings (up to 10).
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| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date |
|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | 1 | $26,500 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | $10,000 |
Median Price by Country
Listings by Country
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dehler 30od | 33.79' | $147,145 | 21 | 11 |
| CS 30 | 30' | $29,950 | 18 | 4 |
| Pearson 30 | 29.79' | $7,000 | 15 | 3 |
| Judel/Vrolijk J/30 | 29.83' | $12,000 | 11 | 4 |
| Ovington 30 | 30.9' | $42,000 | 9 | 4 |
| Santa Cruz 50 | 50' | $210,000 | 9 | 0 |
| ODay 30 | 29.92' | $12,000 | 8 | 1 |
| Sparkman & Stephens 30 | 30.5' | $35,000 | 7 | 2 |
| Ohlson 38 | 37.06' | $41,599 | 6 | 2 |
| Jeanneau Sun Light 30 | 30.02' | $28,424 | 4 | 3 |
| Olson 30 | $18,250 | 2 | 0 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $26,500 | 1 | 0 |
| United States | $10,000 | 1 | 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Olson 30 cost?
- The median asking price for a used Olson 30 over the past 12 months is $18,250. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Olson 30 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 2 Olson 30 listings over the past 12 months, with 0 listed within the last 90 days.
- Where is the cheapest place to buy a Olson 30?
- United States currently has the lowest median asking price at $10,000, while Canada is the most expensive at $26,500 — a 165% difference.
- What are similar sailboats to the Olson 30?
- Comparable models include the Dehler 30od, CS 30, Pearson 30. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.