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Kingfisher 30
Designer: R. A. G. Nierop  ·  Builder: Westfield Engineering Co.  ·  First built: 1964
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About the Kingfisher 30

Originally developed during the late 1970s, this 30-foot sailboat emerged from a period when designers were experimenting with practical coastal cruising designs that balanced performance with livability. While detailed specifications remain elusive, the Kingfisher 30 represents the era's philosophy of creating accessible sailing platforms for recreational sailors. Based on the naming convention and sizing, this vessel likely targets the coastal cruising market, offering a manageable size for small crews or single-handed sailing. The 30-foot length suggests a boat capable of comfortable weekend excursions and extended coastal passages, while remaining trailerable for those seeking adventure beyond their home waters. Design characteristics typical of this class would emphasize seaworthiness and interior comfort over racing performance. The Kingfisher name evokes images of precise, efficient movement through water—qualities that suggest thoughtful hull design and balanced sailing characteristics. For prospective buyers, boats from this era often represent excellent value propositions, combining proven design concepts with the patina of classic fiberglass construction. However, the limited availability of specifications may indicate either a smaller production run or a design that didn't achieve widespread market penetration, making parts and service documentation potentially challenging to source.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
Beam 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Max Draft 3.92 ft / 1.19 m
Displacement 8,625.00 lb / 3,912 kg
Ballast 1,524.00 lb / 691 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 450.00 ft² / 41.81 m²
Headroom 6.25 ft / 1.91 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Twin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction GRP
Designer R. A. G. Nierop
Builder Westfield Engineering Co.
First Built 1964
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Performance Ratios
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
17.18
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
26.94
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
1.76
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. 6.7
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. 803.95
How It Compares

vs. Acadian 30 Paceship, Arpege 30 Dufour, Seadog 30

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Kingfisher 30 ★
30.0 ft
Acadian 30 Paceship
30.0 ft
Arpege 30 Dufour
30.0 ft
Seadog 30
30.0 ft
LWL
Kingfisher 30 ★
25.0 ft
Acadian 30 Paceship
21.8 ft
Arpege 30 Dufour
22.0 ft
Seadog 30
24.0 ft
Beam
Kingfisher 30 ★
9.0 ft
Acadian 30 Paceship
8.5 ft
Arpege 30 Dufour
9.9 ft
Seadog 30
9.5 ft
Displacement
Kingfisher 30 ★
8 lbs
Acadian 30 Paceship
7 lbs
Arpege 30 Dufour
7 lbs
Seadog 30
12 lbs
Ballast
Kingfisher 30 ★
1 lbs
Acadian 30 Paceship
3 lbs
Arpege 30 Dufour
3 lbs
Seadog 30
4 lbs
Sail Area
Kingfisher 30 ★
450 sq ft
Acadian 30 Paceship
387 sq ft
Arpege 30 Dufour
382 sq ft
Seadog 30
399 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Kingfisher 30 ★
17.2
Acadian 30 Paceship
17.0
Arpege 30 Dufour
15.7
Seadog 30
11.7
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Kingfisher 30 ★
26.9
Acadian 30 Paceship
25.8
Arpege 30 Dufour
23.0
Seadog 30
38.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Kingfisher 30 ★
1.76
Acadian 30 Paceship
1.78
Arpege 30 Dufour
2.01
Seadog 30
1.63
Hull Speed
Kingfisher 30 ★
6.7 kts
Acadian 30 Paceship
6.3 kts
Arpege 30 Dufour
6.3 kts
Seadog 30
6.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Kingfisher 30 ★
Acadian 30 Paceship
1.7
Arpege 30 Dufour
1.5
Seadog 30
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