The Aqua 30 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 21.0′, the Aqua 30 tops out around 6.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √21.0′ LWL = 6.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
13.3
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
34.7%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
434
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
31.5
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.73
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
675lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
31.5
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.73
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Aqua 30 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Catalina 30 Mkii
186s/nm
Coronado 30
192s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.2 |
2.8 |
3.1 |
3.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Run150–180° |
2.4 |
3.0 |
3.4 |
3.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.1 kts),
SA/D (13.3), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Aqua 30 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–22 kts
22–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Aqua 30.
|
Aqua 30 |
Bahama 30 Islander |
Catalina 30 Mkii |
Coronado 30 |
J30 |
S2 91 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
29.9 |
29.9 |
29.9 |
29.9 |
29.8 |
29.8 |
| LWL |
21.0 |
24.6 |
25.0 |
24.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
| Beam |
9.0 |
10.0 |
10.8 |
10.1 |
11.2 |
10.5 |
| Displacement |
9 |
8 |
10 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
| Ballast |
3 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
359 |
449 |
437 |
408 |
444 |
490 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
186 |
192 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
13.3 |
17.7 |
14.9 |
15.7 |
19.5 |
19.9 |
| Bal/Disp |
34.7 |
38.0 |
41.2 |
31.8 |
— |
40.8 |
| Comfort |
31.5 |
22.6 |
24.9 |
23.5 |
16.4 |
20.0 |
| Capsize |
1.73 |
1.98 |
2.00 |
1.97 |
2.34 |
2.12 |
| Hull Speed |
6.1 |
6.6 |
6.7 |
6.6 |
6.7 |
6.7 |