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Kiwi 30
Designer: Ron Holland  ·  Builder: Kiwi Boats  ·  First built: 1977
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About the Kiwi 30

New Zealand's sailing heritage shines through in this coastal cruiser that embodies the practical yacht-building philosophy characteristic of Kiwi designers. Built with an emphasis on seaworthiness and simplicity, this 30-footer represents the no-nonsense approach to yacht construction that has made New Zealand boats respected worldwide. The design prioritizes reliability over flashy features, making it well-suited for coastal cruising and weekend sailing adventures. Its construction reflects the rugged conditions often encountered in New Zealand waters, where boats must handle choppy seas and variable weather patterns with confidence. The hull form typically balances stability with reasonable performance, creating a forgiving platform for both novice and experienced sailors. While detailed specifications remain elusive, the boat's reputation suggests it follows traditional design principles that favor durability and ease of handling. This makes it particularly appealing to sailors seeking a straightforward cruising experience without unnecessary complexity. The Kiwi 30 represents an honest sailing boat that delivers dependable performance for those who value substance over style, embodying the practical maritime culture that defines New Zealand's approach to yacht design and construction.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.75 ft / 7.54 m
Beam 10.17 ft / 3.10 m
Max Draft 5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Displacement 7,200.00 lb / 3,266 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 399.00 ft² / 37.07 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ron Holland
Builder Kiwi Boats
First Built 1977
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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
162
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
19.24
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
2.11
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. 6.67
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
2.59
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. 899.38
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 38.3
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.8
P (Mainsail Luff) 34.7
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.0
SA Fore 225.97
SA Main 173.5
How It Compares

vs. Capri 30 Catalina, Cs 30, Peterson 30 12 Ton

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Kiwi 30 ★
30.0 ft
Capri 30 Catalina
30.0 ft
Cs 30
30.0 ft
Peterson 30 12 Ton
30.0 ft
LWL
Kiwi 30 ★
24.8 ft
Capri 30 Catalina
25.0 ft
Cs 30
25.4 ft
Peterson 30 12 Ton
23.0 ft
Beam
Kiwi 30 ★
10.2 ft
Capri 30 Catalina
10.8 ft
Cs 30
10.3 ft
Peterson 30 12 Ton
10.2 ft
Displacement
Kiwi 30 ★
7 lbs
Capri 30 Catalina
8 lbs
Cs 30
8 lbs
Peterson 30 12 Ton
7 lbs
Ballast
Kiwi 30 ★
Capri 30 Catalina
3 lbs
Cs 30
3 lbs
Peterson 30 12 Ton
Sail Area
Kiwi 30 ★
399 sq ft
Capri 30 Catalina
387 sq ft
Cs 30
462 sq ft
Peterson 30 12 Ton
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Kiwi 30 ★
162 s/nm
Capri 30 Catalina
111 s/nm
Cs 30
150 s/nm
Peterson 30 12 Ton
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Kiwi 30 ★
17.2
Capri 30 Catalina
15.5
Cs 30
18.5
Peterson 30 12 Ton
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Kiwi 30 ★
19.2
Capri 30 Catalina
Cs 30
20.8
Peterson 30 12 Ton
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Kiwi 30 ★
2.11
Capri 30 Catalina
Cs 30
2.05
Peterson 30 12 Ton
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Kiwi 30 ★
Capri 30 Catalina
228
Cs 30
Peterson 30 12 Ton
286
Hull Speed
Kiwi 30 ★
6.7 kts
Capri 30 Catalina
Cs 30
6.8 kts
Peterson 30 12 Ton
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Kiwi 30 ★
2.6
Capri 30 Catalina
Cs 30
2.7
Peterson 30 12 Ton
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