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Ballad 30 Albin
Designer: Rolf Magnusson  ·  Builder: Albin Marine/Shipman Marine (Swe)  ·  First built: 1971
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Ballad 30 Albin
Photo: Mjrwilliams / CC BY 4.0
About the Ballad 30 Albin

Swedish designer Rolf Magnusson created a compelling coastal cruiser when he penned the Ballad 30 for Albin Marine in the early 1970s. This 30-foot masthead sloop proved popular among European sailors, with 1,500 units built during its eleven-year production run from 1971 to 1982. The Ballad 30's moderate proportions reflect sensible Scandinavian design philosophy. Her fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration provides good directional stability while maintaining reasonable maneuverability in tight quarters. With nearly half her 7,275-pound displacement carried as ballast, she offers reassuring stability for coastal passages and weekend cruising. The boat's conservative sail area to displacement ratio of 20.2 suggests she's built more for comfort than speed, making her well-suited to family cruising rather than racing. Her comfort ratio of 21.91 indicates a motion that favors longer passages over quick day sails, while the capsize screening value of 2.01 places her at the threshold between coastal and offshore capability. Built with solid fiberglass construction typical of the era, the Ballard 30 represents reliable Scandinavian craftsmanship. Her modest 10-horsepower auxiliary provides adequate power for her size and displacement, making her an economical choice for sailors seeking a traditional cruising experience.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.99 ft / 9.14 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.64 ft / 6.90 m
Beam 9.71 ft / 2.96 m
Max Draft 5.09 ft / 1.55 m
Displacement 7,275.25 lb / 3,300 kg
Ballast 3,417.17 lb / 1,550 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 472.54 ft² / 43.90 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Rolf Magnusson
Builder Albin Marine/Shipman Marine (SWE)
First Built 1971
Last Built 1982
Number Built 1500
Associations Half Ton Class
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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
 20.2
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 46.97
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 279.88
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
 21.91
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
 2.01
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. 6.38 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.83
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. 785.49 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 16.07
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 37.07 ft / 11.30 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.24 ft / 3.73 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 31.99 ft / 9.75 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 9.32 ft / 2.84 m
SA Fore 226.87 ft² / 21.08 m²
SA Main 149.07 ft² / 13.85 m²
SA Total (100%) 375.94 ft² / 34.93 m²
Est. Forestay Length 39.04 ft / 11.90 m
Mast Height (DWL) 40.68 ft / 12.40 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Model MD 6A
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 10
Fuel Capacity 9 gals / 33 L
Water Capacity 17 gals / 65 L
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