The Lm 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 26.3′, the Lm 30 tops out around 6.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √26.3′ LWL = 6.9 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
216s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
11.7
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Comfort Ratio
28.4
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.80
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
938lbs
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
28.4
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
1.80
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 Lm 30 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Pearson 32
159s/nm
Hunter 32 Vision
177s/nm
Morgan 32
186s/nm
Lm 30
216s/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° |
2.3 |
2.9 |
3.3 |
3.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.4 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Run150–180° |
2.5 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.9 kts),
SA/D (11.7), 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 Lm 30 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–22 kts
22–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ 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 Lm 30.
|
Lm 30 |
Contest 32 Cs |
Hunter 32 Vision |
Islander 32 2 |
Morgan 32 |
Pearson 32 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
31.8 |
31.8 |
32.0 |
32.0 |
31.9 |
31.8 |
| LWL |
26.3 |
25.7 |
27.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
| Beam |
10.0 |
10.9 |
11.3 |
11.1 |
11.5 |
10.5 |
| Displacement |
11 |
14 |
11 |
10 |
11 |
9 |
| Ballast |
— |
6 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
361 |
389 |
486 |
468 |
493 |
475 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
216 |
— |
177 |
— |
186 |
159 |
| SA/Disp |
11.7 |
10.6 |
15.4 |
15.7 |
16.0 |
17.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
44.6 |
39.5 |
30.5 |
— |
40.4 |
| Comfort |
28.4 |
33.4 |
24.4 |
24.3 |
24.3 |
23.5 |
| Capsize |
1.80 |
1.80 |
2.02 |
2.03 |
2.07 |
1.99 |
| Hull Speed |
6.9 |
6.8 |
7.0 |
6.7 |
6.7 |
6.7 |