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Cheetah 30
Designer: Bob Ames  ·  Builder: Cheetah International  ·  First built: 1995
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About the Cheetah 30

Designed by Bob Ames and built by Cheetah International during a brief two-year production run from 1995-1996, this 30-foot sailboat represents a focused approach to performance cruising with only seven hulls ever constructed. The boat's most distinctive feature is its lifting keel configuration, which transforms a substantial 7-foot draft into shallow-water capability when raised, opening up cruising grounds typically inaccessible to similarly-sized boats. With a displacement of just 2,300 pounds and a generous sail area of 351 square feet, the Cheetah 30 delivers impressive performance characteristics. The fractional sloop rig provides excellent sail handling and versatility across varying wind conditions, while the boat's light displacement and efficient waterline length of 27 feet contribute to spirited sailing with a theoretical hull speed approaching 7 knots. The lifting keel design makes this boat particularly well-suited for coastal cruising and gunkholing, allowing sailors to explore shallow bays and anchor close to shore while maintaining the stability and pointing ability of a deep-keel boat in open water. The low comfort ratio of 7.96 reflects the boat's performance-oriented nature rather than accommodation volume, while the reasonable capsize screening value suggests decent stability for coastal adventures. This rare design offers an intriguing blend of shoal-draft versatility and sailing performance for the discerning sailor.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.25 ft / 9.22 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Min Draft 1.67 ft / 0.51 m
Displacement 2,300.00 lb / 1,043 kg
Ballast 1,000.00 lb / 454 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 351.00 ft² / 32.61 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bob Ames
Builder Cheetah International
First Built 1995
Last Built 1996
Number Built 7
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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
 77
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
 32.31
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
 43.48
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
 52.17
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
 7.96
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
 2.43
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. 6.96 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
 7.99
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. 771.79 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. 32.32
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 27.58 ft / 8.41 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.10 ft / 3.08 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 34.58 ft / 10.54 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.25 ft / 3.73 m
SA Fore 139.28 ft² / 12.94 m²
SA Main 211.80 ft² / 19.68 m²
SA Total (100%) 351.08 ft² / 32.62 m²
Est. Forestay Length 29.37 ft / 8.95 m
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