About the Contention 30 Peterson
Designed by the renowned Doug Peterson, this 30-foot sailboat represents the distinctive styling and performance-oriented approach that made Peterson one of sailing's most celebrated naval architects. Peterson's influence on modern yacht design, particularly through his America's Cup innovations and IOR racing successes, carries through to his smaller designs like the Contention 30.
While detailed specifications remain limited, Peterson's design philosophy typically emphasized clean lines, efficient hull forms, and a balance between performance and practicality. His boats are known for their ability to move well in light air while maintaining control in heavier conditions, making them versatile platforms for both coastal cruising and club racing.
The Contention 30 likely appeals to sailors seeking a boat that can handle weekend coastal adventures while offering enough performance to be competitive in local racing series. Peterson's reputation for creating boats with good sailing manners suggests this design would be well-suited for intermediate sailors looking to step up from smaller boats, offering enough sophistication to keep things interesting without being overwhelming.
For sailors prioritizing sailing performance over interior volume, Peterson designs typically deliver rewarding helm feel and responsive handling that makes every sail engaging.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
29.66 ft / 9.04 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
23.88 ft / 7.28 m
Beam
10.29 ft / 3.14 m
Max Draft
5.66 ft / 1.73 m
Displacement
5,732.00 lb / 2,600 kg
Ballast
3,086.00 lb / 1,400 kg
Ballast Type
Lead
How It Compares
vs. Arcadia 30 Jeanneau, Cal 92 R, Elite 286, Mirage 30 Sx, Sun Light 30 Jeanneau
This boat
Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Contention 30 Peterson ★
29.7 ft
Arcadia 30 Jeanneau
29.5 ft
Sun Light 30 Jeanneau
30.0 ft
LWL
Contention 30 Peterson ★
23.9 ft
Arcadia 30 Jeanneau
24.4 ft
Sun Light 30 Jeanneau
25.3 ft
Beam
Contention 30 Peterson ★
10.3 ft
Arcadia 30 Jeanneau
10.3 ft
Sun Light 30 Jeanneau
10.6 ft
Displacement
Contention 30 Peterson ★
5 lbs
Arcadia 30 Jeanneau
6 lbs
Sun Light 30 Jeanneau
6 lbs
Ballast
Contention 30 Peterson ★
3 lbs
Arcadia 30 Jeanneau
2 lbs
Sun Light 30 Jeanneau
2 lbs
Sail Area
Contention 30 Peterson ★
—
Arcadia 30 Jeanneau
378 sq ft
Sun Light 30 Jeanneau
439 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating
(lower = faster)
Contention 30 Peterson ★
—
SA / Displacement
(higher = more powerful)
Contention 30 Peterson ★
—
Sun Light 30 Jeanneau
19.6
Ballast / Disp
(higher = stiffer)
Contention 30 Peterson ★
53.8 %
Arcadia 30 Jeanneau
43.5 %
Sun Light 30 Jeanneau
38.8 %
Comfort Ratio
(higher = more comfortable offshore)
Contention 30 Peterson ★
—
Sun Light 30 Jeanneau
17.1
Capsize Screening
(lower = safer)
Contention 30 Peterson ★
—
Sun Light 30 Jeanneau
2.24
Displacement / Length
(lower = lighter)
Contention 30 Peterson ★
187
Sun Light 30 Jeanneau
189
Hull Speed
Contention 30 Peterson ★
—
Arcadia 30 Jeanneau
6.6 kts
Sun Light 30 Jeanneau
6.7 kts
Speed Number
(higher = faster)
Contention 30 Peterson ★
—
Sun Light 30 Jeanneau
3.1