What are the best fast 30-36ft sailboats for singlehanded sailing under €100k?
I am looking for a massively fast and fun sailboat between 30 and 36 feet for singlehanded sailing. My budget is €100,000 for a new or used boat. I want an open transom for easy swimming and a cockpit with very few stairs down to the cabin. What are your top 5 recommendations?
Answer
For under €100,000, the best fast singlehanded yachts in the 30 to 36ft range are modern offshore designs featuring wide beams, twin rudders and open transoms. Boats like the Pogo 30 or Sun Fast 3200 offer high off-wind speed, minimal companionway steps and an open aft end that makes swimming easy.
Pogo 30 Planing Machine
Finding a used Pogo 30 built from 2013 onwards under €100k requires patience. Early models occasionally dip into the €90,000 to €95,000 bracket. This pure planing hull derives directly from Mini Transat racers. It features a massive beam carried all the way aft, no backstay and a powerful square-top mainsail. The wide, shallow hull keeps the cockpit floor close to the waterline. An open transom makes jumping in for a swim easy. The companionway drops just three shallow steps into a bright saloon. High form stability makes the boat forgiving when sailed singlehanded.
Sun Fast 3200 Shorthanded Pedigree
Expect to pay between €70,000 and €85,000 for a well-maintained Sun Fast 3200 built between 2008 and 2017. Daniel Andrieu designed this boat specifically for the solo and doublehanded Transquadra race. It uses twin tillers and twin rudders to provide immense grip when reaching under a heavy asymmetric spinnaker. The mainsheet traveller spans the cockpit sole right behind the helm. This layout puts all primary controls within arm's reach of the driver. The open stern creates a massive flat platform for water access. The interior is spartan but functional, featuring a short companionway.
J/109 Asymmetric All-Rounder
The J/109 is a benchmark 35-footer built between 2004 and 2010, typically costing €75,000 to €95,000. It offers more cruising comfort while retaining excellent sailing performance. It lacks the extreme beam of the French offshore boats but remains fast and balanced. A retractable carbon bowsprit makes setting and dousing an asymmetric spinnaker straightforward for a solo sailor. Unlike the open transoms of the Pogo or Sun Fast, the J/109 has an integrated scoop transom with a swim ladder. This provides a secure enclosed cockpit alongside immediate step-through access to the water.
Elan 310 Twin Rudder Fun
The Elan 310, later rebranded as the E3, launched in 2009 and costs between €55,000 and €75,000. Rob Humphreys designed it as one of the first production boats in this size to feature hard chines and twin rudders. It tracks straight. Your autopilot will not have to work hard when you go forward to handle lines. The wide cockpit features an open transom sitting low to the water. A low-profile coachroof keeps the companionway drop minimal. You can duck below to check a chartplotter and return to the deck in seconds.