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American 30
Designer: Arthur S. Henry  ·  Builder: American Mariner Industries  ·  First built: 1977
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About the American 30

With limited specifications available for research, the American 30 represents one of the lesser-documented designs in the 30-foot sailboat category. This modest size places it squarely in the versatile coastal cruising segment, where boats of this length typically excel at weekend getaways and protected water sailing. Based on its classification as a 30-footer, this sailboat would likely appeal to sailors seeking an accessible entry into cruising without the complexity and expense of larger offshore vessels. Boats in this size range generally offer a practical balance between manageable handling characteristics and sufficient interior space for short-term cruising comfort. The limited available documentation suggests this may be either a smaller production run vessel or a design that didn't achieve widespread market penetration. This scarcity of information could indicate either a specialized design approach or simply a boat that predates comprehensive digital record-keeping in the marine industry. For prospective buyers researching the American 30, the limited specifications underscore the importance of thorough physical inspection and seeking out owner testimonials. Without extensive documentation, potential purchasers would benefit from consulting with marine surveyors familiar with boats from this era and size category to properly assess construction quality and seaworthiness.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.92 ft / 9.12 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 26.50 ft / 8.08 m
Beam 10.67 ft / 3.25 m
Max Draft 3.50 ft / 1.07 m
Displacement 8,000.00 lb / 3,629 kg
Ballast 3,000.00 lb / 1,361 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 425.00 ft² / 39.48 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin (shoal draft)
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Arthur S. Henry
Builder American Mariner Industries
First Built 1977
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
17.05
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
19.19
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.14
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.9
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1.0
How It Compares

vs. Hunter 30, Oday 30, S2 92 C

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
American 30 ★
29.9 ft
Hunter 30
29.9 ft
Oday 30
29.9 ft
S2 92 C
29.9 ft
LWL
American 30 ★
26.5 ft
Hunter 30
25.6 ft
Oday 30
25.4 ft
S2 92 C
25.0 ft
Beam
American 30 ★
10.7 ft
Hunter 30
10.8 ft
Oday 30
10.8 ft
S2 92 C
10.3 ft
Displacement
American 30 ★
8 lbs
Hunter 30
9 lbs
Oday 30
10 lbs
S2 92 C
9 lbs
Ballast
American 30 ★
3 lbs
Hunter 30
3 lbs
Oday 30
4 lbs
S2 92 C
4 lbs
Sail Area
American 30 ★
425 sq ft
Hunter 30
417 sq ft
Oday 30
441 sq ft
S2 92 C
468 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
American 30 ★
Hunter 30
189 s/nm
Oday 30
180 s/nm
S2 92 C
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
American 30 ★
17.1
Hunter 30
14.5
Oday 30
14.8
S2 92 C
16.4
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
American 30 ★
19.2
Hunter 30
Oday 30
25.6
S2 92 C
25.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
American 30 ★
2.14
Hunter 30
Oday 30
1.97
S2 92 C
1.92
Hull Speed
American 30 ★
6.9 kts
Hunter 30
Oday 30
6.8 kts
S2 92 C
6.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
American 30 ★
Hunter 30
Oday 30
1.7
S2 92 C
1.9
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