Pointer 30 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Peter Bosgraaf revised and optimised the design in Medemblik, and the result is a hull with a relatively low freeboard, a clearly raised stem, and an elongated cabin superstructure that gives the boat an individual presence. Pronounced chine edges in the afterbody and a bulky-looking stern carrying a fold-down bathing platform complete the profile. Structurally, the Pointer 30 is a hand-laid GRP sandwich built entirely in Heeg, with osmosis-resistant vinyl ester resin in the hull. Around the keel flange, stainless steel profiles serve as floor beams, glued and laminated in, while a continuous inner shell carries furniture foundations and berth bearings; a second large inner shell suspends the coachroof inside. The yard also moulds Esthec synthetic teak directly into the deck before lamination begins, and laminates the railing-support bushes into an all-round bulwark that acts as a foot rail. Period reviews noted flawless gelcoat on deck and hull and high-quality fittings, and described the fit-out as basic but executed extremely neatly to a high standard.

Rig, Sail Plan, and Handling

The standard boat steers with a tiller and carries twin rudders, though a single canting Jefa wheel is an option; on the test boat a swivelling steering column could lock centre or fold aside. The fractional sloop rig offers a 27 m² mainsail and, as options, either a self-tacking 18 m² jib or a 106 per cent genoa of 19.5 m², with deck fittings for both already present. A moulded bowsprit sets a 44 m² Code Zero or a 63 m² gennaker, and the mainsheet with coarse and fine tune, a powerful cascade backstay, and Code Zero furling lines all lead aft to the helm. Writing in YACHT, testers found the lightweight hull quickly reached good speed in fickle two-Beaufort air and was easy to turn upwind, tacking through 90 degrees at 4.2 knots in seven knots of wind; with the rollable Code Zero she topped six knots on a half wind. Writing in YACHT, testers credited the fingertip-light steering with remaining crisp, and the 40 per cent ballast with making her a stiff boat that holds her own in a blow, while the deep 1.75 m keel option would stiffen her further.

Accommodations

Below, the Pointer 30 is open and bright, with perspex washboards flooding the saloon with light and 160 cm of headroom there, dropping to 130 cm in the forward heads. The layout is unusual: two leather swivel armchairs and a coffee table occupy the saloon, comfortable only in neutral trim and wobbly on their GRP foundations when heeled, so the starboard settee with better support is the place to sit. Two generous quarter-berths aft run 205 cm by 80 cm and sleep one each comfortably even underway, though access is narrow. Forward, a 210 cm V-berth narrows to 130 cm at the aft end and shares a door with the heads, limiting privacy; the heads itself lacks a sink or shower. A small moulded work station with a fold-out desk, canvas stowage pockets tensioned along the hull sides, and a Nespresso machine recessed below round out a compact but considered interior. A newer Performance layout moves galley and heads either side of the companionway.

Known Issues

On construction number one, reviewers found interior components not yet fitted precisely, with inconsistent gaps concealed rather than resolved. The swivel armchairs are relatively wobbly on the inner-shell floor even with solid plates beneath. These are finish and detailing points rather than structural defects, and the hull itself carries a five-year osmosis warranty behind the vinyl ester construction.

Refits and Ownership

Motorisation is never included in the base price: the buyer chooses a Torqeedo 6.0 pod with two 48 V lithium batteries, or a Yanmar 15 hp (optional 20 or 30 hp) diesel saildrive with a 70-litre tank, both at a fixed surcharge. Sails are extra, with a Dacron main-and-jib set priced separately. The short standard keel and 2.9 m beam let the boat trail without permit, and the electric variant adds 100 kg, the diesel about 150 kg. A deck shower, artificial teak extension, and autopilot are among the available upgrades.

The Verdict

The Pointer 30 is a thoughtfully engineered Dutch sport-cruiser that trades conventional cruising polish for light-displacement sparkle, trailerability, and a genuinely clever deck. She rewards the sailor who values handling and build integrity over galley comfort, and her modular options let a buyer tailor power and rig to taste.

Pros