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Cape Cod 30
Designer: Sidney Herreshoff  ·  Builder: Cape Cod Shipbuilding  ·  First built: 1961
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About the Cape Cod 30

Designed by Sidney Herreshoff and first launched in 1961, this classic coastal cruiser embodies traditional New England sailboat design principles. Cape Cod Shipbuilding created a vessel that prioritizes seaworthiness and comfort over pure performance, making it an excellent choice for leisurely coastal exploration and weekend cruising. The boat's long keel configuration provides exceptional tracking and directional stability, though it sacrifices some maneuverability in tight quarters. With a displacement of 7,000 pounds and moderate sail area, this masthead sloop offers predictable handling characteristics that inspire confidence in developing sailors. The 5-foot draft allows access to many harbors while providing adequate ballast for stability. Built with fiberglass construction, the Cape Cod 30 represents solid craftsmanship from an era when builders emphasized durability over weight savings. The comfort ratio of 22.98 indicates a motion that favors stability over speed, while the capsize screening value of 1.88 suggests good stability characteristics for coastal waters. This design suits sailors seeking a traditional cruising experience rather than racing performance. The boat excels in protected waters and moderate offshore conditions, offering a gentle introduction to larger boat handling while maintaining the charm of classic yacht design.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.17 ft / 7.06 m
Beam 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 7,000.00 lb / 3,175 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 438.00 ft² / 40.69 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Sidney Herreshoff
Builder Cape Cod Shipbuilding
First Built 1961
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 204
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
 19.21
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
 251.23
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
 22.98
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
 1.88
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. 6.45 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
 2.36
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. 745.10 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. 19.23
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 36.50 ft / 11.13 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.83 ft / 3.91 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 32.25 ft / 9.83 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.67 ft / 3.86 m
SA Fore 234.15 ft² / 21.75 m²
SA Main 204.30 ft² / 18.98 m²
SA Total (100%) 438.45 ft² / 40.73 m²
Est. Forestay Length 38.69 ft / 11.79 m
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