The Carlson 30 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 24.0′, the Carlson 30 tops out around 6.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √24.0′ LWL = 6.6 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
13.6
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
27.2%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
249
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
24.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.81
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
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
24.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.81
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 Carlson 30 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Alberg 30
228s/nm
Westerly 30
231s/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° |
2.4 |
3.0 |
3.3 |
3.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Run150–180° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.6 kts),
SA/D (13.6), 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 Carlson 30 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 Carlson 30.
|
Carlson 30 |
Alberg 30 |
Cal 2 30 |
Ericson 30 1 |
Wanderer 30 Pearson |
Westerly 30 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
30.3 |
30.3 |
30.2 |
30.3 |
30.3 |
30.2 |
| LWL |
24.0 |
21.7 |
25.0 |
23.3 |
23.3 |
25.8 |
| Beam |
8.9 |
8.8 |
9.0 |
9.5 |
9.3 |
8.7 |
| Displacement |
7 |
9 |
10 |
7 |
9 |
7 |
| Ballast |
2 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
330 |
410 |
464 |
410 |
— |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
228 |
— |
— |
— |
231 |
| SA/Disp |
13.6 |
15.2 |
15.7 |
16.7 |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
27.2 |
36.7 |
43.7 |
38.5 |
38.8 |
44.0 |
| Comfort |
24.9 |
31.9 |
32.1 |
23.7 |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
1.81 |
1.69 |
1.66 |
1.92 |
— |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.6 |
6.2 |
6.7 |
6.5 |
— |
— |