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Carter 30
Designer: Dick Carter  ·  Builder: Carter Offshore/Northshore Yachts (Uk)  ·  First built: 1972
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About the Carter 30

Designed by renowned naval architect Dick Carter and built from 1972 to 1990, this 30-footer represents classic British offshore design philosophy from the 1970s era. Carter Offshore and later Northshore Yachts produced approximately 300 hulls, making this a relatively common sight in European waters and beyond. The Carter 30's fin keel and rudder-on-skeg configuration, combined with a moderate displacement of 7,300 pounds and respectable sail area, creates a boat capable of both coastal cruising and offshore passages. The hull's proportions suggest good performance characteristics, with enough ballast to provide stability in challenging conditions. At nearly 30 feet overall with a 23-foot waterline, she offers reasonable interior volume while maintaining the sleek lines typical of Carter's racing-influenced designs. Dick Carter's reputation for creating fast, seaworthy boats is evident in this design's balanced specifications. The moderate beam and deep draft indicate this boat will track well and handle weather helm effectively. While built during the height of the IOR racing era, the Carter 30 has proven equally suited to serious cruising applications, particularly for couples or small crews seeking a capable offshore platform with manageable size and classic sailing characteristics.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.75 ft / 9.07 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
Beam 10.08 ft / 3.07 m
Max Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Displacement 7,300.00 lb / 3,311 kg
Ballast 2,976.00 lb / 1,350 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 384.00 ft² / 35.67 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Dick Carter
Builder Carter Offshore/Northshore Yachts (UK)
First Built 1972
Last Built 1990
Number Built 300
Associations Yacht Brochures (Original Scanned Manufacturers's brochures)
Owner Reviews

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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
 174
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
 16.38
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
 40.77
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
 267.85
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
 20.77
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
 2.08
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. 6.43 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
 1.96
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. 828.39 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. 16.38
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 37.50 ft / 11.43 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.25 ft / 3.73 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 32.50 ft / 9.91 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 9.50 ft / 2.90 m
SA Fore 229.69 ft² / 21.34 m²
SA Main 154.38 ft² / 14.34 m²
SA Total (100%) 384.07 ft² / 35.68 m²
Est. Forestay Length 39.45 ft / 12.02 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Model YS 12
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 12
Fuel Capacity 15 gals / 57 L
Water Capacity 30 gals / 114 L
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