1979 Ranger Yachts 30

Step aboard and the first thing you’ll notice is how solid everything feels for a 30-footer of this vintage—thick hand-laid glass, stout rig, and hardware that still inspires confidence. The Ranger 30’s interior layout is surprisingly generous, with a real sea-going galley, a proper nav station, and berths long enough for tall crew. Under sail, they’re known for a lively but predictable helm; you can trim her for light-air afternoons or reef down and she’ll happily shoulder through a chop. The cockpit is deep and secure, with coamings at just the right height for long passages. It’s the kind of boat that rewards a skipper who enjoys actually sailing, not just motoring from mooring to mooring.

A Ranger 30 is an excellent match for these waters, where conditions can swing from soft breezes to punchy afternoon gusts. The moderate displacement and well-balanced sail plan mean you can make the most of light-air days while still feeling confident when the wind pipes up. Her size is ideal for local marinas and mooring fields—easy to dock, yet with enough waterline to cover miles efficiently on weekend runs. Draft and hull form suit the mix of open fetch and more protected anchorages, so you can explore without constantly worrying about depth. With a comfortable interior, she doubles nicely as a compact floating cabin when you stay on the hook.