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L Boat 1930
Designer: Luedtke Brothers  ·  Builder: Luedtke Brothers (Usa)  ·  First built: 1930
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About the L Boat 1930

Built during the early years of the Great Depression, the L Boat 1930 represents a thoughtful approach to affordable yacht design by the Luedtke Brothers. This 28-foot fractional sloop emerged from their Wisconsin shipyard as a practical cruising boat that could accommodate modest budgets without sacrificing seaworthiness. The design's notably deep 7-foot draft and substantial 8,500-pound displacement create exceptional stability and tracking ability, making this an ideal vessel for serious coastal cruising and extended passages. Her traditional wood-planked construction reflects the craftsmanship standards of the era, while the keel-centerboard configuration offers versatility in varying water depths. With a comfort ratio of 37.68, the L Boat provides a remarkably steady ride in rough conditions, though her motion will be deliberate rather than sprightly. The capsize screening formula of 1.47 indicates excellent stability characteristics, instilling confidence for offshore ventures. Her 6.29-knot hull speed suggests respectable performance under sail. Despite the challenging economic climate of the 1930s, fifty hulls were completed over six years, testament to the design's appeal among discerning sailors seeking a capable, well-built cruising boat. Today, surviving examples represent an excellent entry into classic yacht ownership for those appreciating traditional seamanship values.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
Beam 7.50 ft / 2.29 m
Max Draft 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Min Draft 3.50 ft / 1.07 m
Displacement 8,500.00 lb / 3,856 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood planked
Designer Luedtke Brothers
Builder Luedtke Brothers (USA)
First Built 1930
Last Built 1935
Number Built 50
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
356.37
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
37.68
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
1.47
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. 6.29 kn
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. 589.56 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. E Scow, Pied Piper 28, Rozinante Herreshoff, Samurai 28, Stuart Knockabout

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
L Boat 1930 ★
28.0 ft
E Scow
28.0 ft
Pied Piper 28
28.0 ft
Rozinante Herreshoff
28.0 ft
Samurai 28
28.0 ft
Stuart Knockabout
28.0 ft
LWL
L Boat 1930 ★
22.0 ft
E Scow
Pied Piper 28
21.3 ft
Rozinante Herreshoff
24.0 ft
Samurai 28
22.0 ft
Stuart Knockabout
22.8 ft
Beam
L Boat 1930 ★
7.5 ft
E Scow
6.8 ft
Pied Piper 28
8.8 ft
Rozinante Herreshoff
6.3 ft
Samurai 28
9.7 ft
Stuart Knockabout
6.9 ft
Displacement
L Boat 1930 ★
8 lbs
E Scow
965 lbs
Pied Piper 28
8 lbs
Rozinante Herreshoff
6 lbs
Samurai 28
9 lbs
Stuart Knockabout
4 lbs
Ballast
L Boat 1930 ★
E Scow
Pied Piper 28
2 lbs
Rozinante Herreshoff
3 lbs
Samurai 28
Stuart Knockabout
2 lbs
Sail Area
L Boat 1930 ★
E Scow
323 sq ft
Pied Piper 28
345 sq ft
Rozinante Herreshoff
348 sq ft
Samurai 28
393 sq ft
Stuart Knockabout
291 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
L Boat 1930 ★
E Scow
Pied Piper 28
246 s/nm
Rozinante Herreshoff
Samurai 28
Stuart Knockabout
189 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
L Boat 1930 ★
E Scow
53.0
Pied Piper 28
13.4
Rozinante Herreshoff
15.9
Samurai 28
14.1
Stuart Knockabout
18.5
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
L Boat 1930 ★
37.7
E Scow
Pied Piper 28
31.0
Rozinante Herreshoff
34.7
Samurai 28
30.0
Stuart Knockabout
19.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
L Boat 1930 ★
1.47
E Scow
2.73
Pied Piper 28
1.72
Rozinante Herreshoff
1.35
Samurai 28
1.83
Stuart Knockabout
1.75
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
L Boat 1930 ★
356
E Scow
Pied Piper 28
Rozinante Herreshoff
Samurai 28
398
Stuart Knockabout
150
Hull Speed
L Boat 1930 ★
6.3 kts
E Scow
Pied Piper 28
6.2 kts
Rozinante Herreshoff
6.6 kts
Samurai 28
6.3 kts
Stuart Knockabout
6.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
L Boat 1930 ★
E Scow
Pied Piper 28
Rozinante Herreshoff
2.0
Samurai 28
1.1
Stuart Knockabout
3.6
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