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Competitive, Used Etchells are a good deal: A competitive, used Etchells suitable for club racing on Casco Bay can be bought for less money than any other 30-ft racing keelboat. It is common to find a competitive boat with a road-worthy trailer for around $5,000 – $8,000. Even less if you are willing to put in some sweat equity. Compare Etchells prices to other racing keelboats sailed in New England:

  • Atlantic Class: $30,000 – $45,000+ typically for a well cared for 60-year-old boat
  • IOD: $30,000 – $50,000+
  • Stuart Knockabout: $50,000 – $75,000
  • Shields: $10,000 – $20,000+
  • J/24: $10,000 – $15,000+
  • Ensign: $5,000 – $15,000+

There are plenty of Etchells to choose from: With nearly 1,500 boats built since 1968, there is a good supply of Etchells available to purchase – at all price points.

Where to look for a boat: Check with Fleet 27 members; there often is a boat or two for sale locally. Check the IECA and IECA-NA websites for boats for sale. Finally, check with the various Etchells fleets.

What to look for: While almost anything on the Etchells can be repaired, there are some things to check for if you are interested in avoiding an extensive refurbishment process:

  • Does the boat have a hull certificate and sail card?
  • Boat weight
  • Is there water intrusion in the deck core, esp. around deck fittings?
  • Is the skeg-hull joint intact?
  • Chainplates
  • Bulkhead-to-hull joints
  • Deck knee-to-hull joints
  • Rudder play
  • Bottom condition
  • Extent & quality of hull repairs
  • Mast
  • Standing rigging
  • Running rigging
  • Boom
  • Spinnaker pole
  • Sails – quality/condition more than quantity
  • Trailer frame
  • Trailer tires
  • Trailer brakes
  • Trailer suspension
  • Trailer storage boxes

Register your boat with IECA

  • It is hard to find this form on the IECA website.