Presto 30 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Early hulls carried a pop-top that raised anchor headroom past 6 feet, but Ryder no longer builds that version; later boats offer the optional pilothouse or the Sky-Top cabin that gives 6-foot-6 standing room with all-round visibility. Below, expect a V-berth forward and two settee berths for four, with the centerboard trunk folded into a dining table and a Port-a-Potti tucked under the bow. The 10-foot-6 cockpit dominates the deck and sleeps two on its long seats, while gasketed lockers swallow a valise life raft, fenders, and bulky gear.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Propulsion is the first buyer decision: a well-mounted 9.9 hp hi-thrust outboard, the Torqued Cruise R electric equivalent, or a small transom-hung unit are factory options, and some owners fitted a 12 hp inboard diesel with folding prop. Sail-plan choice matters more than stereos—standard 320 sq ft wishbone rig versus the 400 sq ft performance package with Hall Spars carbon and roached sails. A transom door turning into a swim platform and tiller-versus-wheel steering are the other consequential options; the standard coachroof stainless handrails and divided ground-tackle locker are fixed reassurances.

What to Inspect

The narrow side-decks drew the chief criticism from Practical Sailor’s test sailors, so check for wear where crew must pass. Verify the stern cleats sit low enough that dock lines chafe the toerail, and inspect that toerail for grooving. Most important for a shoal-draft boat: exercise the rudder raised and lowered, because testers found the steering difficult when the blade is kicked up on the original long-blade design; later cassette-foil versions should remedy this, so confirm which you are viewing.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

For a buyer, the checklist is short: confirm trailerability paperwork for the 8-foot-6 beam, decide which propulsion and rig package suits your waters, and prioritize hulls with the cassette rudder or a demonstrably smooth raised-rudder balance. Inspect side-deck width, stern-cleat chafe, and the centerboard trunk conversion before committing.