The Contest 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 24.9′, the Contest 30 tops out around 6.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √24.9′ LWL = 6.7 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
224s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
13.6
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
45.4%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
254
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
27.6
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.75
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
801lbs
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
27.6
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
1.75
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 Contest 30 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
J/30
144s/nm
Columbia 30
180s/nm
Contest 30
224s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
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 |
3.4 |
3.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Run150–180° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.7 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 Contest 30 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–24 kts
24–34 kts
34+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–24 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
24–34 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
34+ 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 Contest 30.
|
Contest 30 |
Columbia 30 |
Irwin 30 Competition |
J/30 |
Newport 30 2 |
Peterson 30 12 Ton |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
30.0 |
30.0 |
30.0 |
30.0 |
30.0 |
30.0 |
| LWL |
24.9 |
26.5 |
26.9 |
25.0 |
26.5 |
23.0 |
| Beam |
9.0 |
9.5 |
10.2 |
10.8 |
10.7 |
10.2 |
| Displacement |
8 |
10 |
10 |
6 |
8 |
7 |
| Ballast |
4 |
— |
4 |
2 |
2 |
— |
| Sail Area |
362 |
515 |
474 |
436 |
414 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
224 |
180 |
— |
144 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
13.6 |
16.9 |
16.4 |
20.8 |
16.6 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
45.4 |
— |
46.0 |
39.3 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
27.6 |
30.2 |
25.3 |
23.6 |
19.2 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.75 |
1.72 |
1.89 |
1.73 |
2.14 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.7 |
6.9 |
7.0 |
7.6 |
6.9 |
— |