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Meridian 95
Designer: G.k. Collyer  ·  Builder: Elizabethan Marine Ltd.  ·  First built: 1972
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About the Meridian 95

Designed by G.K. Collyer and built by Elizabethan Marine Ltd. beginning in 1972, this 30-foot masthead ketch represents classic British cruising yacht design from the early 1970s. The fiberglass construction combines traditional long keel configuration with practical accommodations for extended coastal and offshore sailing. With her substantial displacement of 11,200 pounds and generous ballast ratio, the Meridian 95 offers the stability and seaworthiness that made her popular among serious cruising sailors. The long keel design provides excellent tracking and directional stability, though at the expense of some maneuverability in tight quarters. Her comfort ratio of 31.44 indicates a motion that favors longer passages over sprightly daysailing performance. The masthead ketch rig configuration provides versatile sail handling options, particularly valuable for short-handed crews or when conditions deteriorate. This setup allows for balanced sail combinations and easier reefing, making the boat well-suited for extended coastal cruising and offshore passages where reliability trumps raw performance. Built during an era when yacht design emphasized seaworthiness over speed, the Meridian 95 appeals to sailors seeking a traditional, well-mannered cruising platform capable of handling serious blue-water voyaging with confidence and comfort.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.58 ft / 9.32 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.33 ft / 6.81 m
Beam 10.25 ft / 3.12 m
Max Draft 3.75 ft / 1.14 m
Displacement 11,200.00 lb / 5,080 kg
Ballast 4,400.00 lb / 1,996 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Ketch
Construction FG
Designer G.K. Collyer
Builder Elizabethan Marine Ltd.
First Built 1972
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Performance Ratios
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
39.29
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
449.06
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
31.44
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
1.84
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. 6.33 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. 817.82 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii, Chance 30 30 Allied, Seawind Allied

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Meridian 95 ★
30.6 ft
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii
30.5 ft
Chance 30 30 Allied
30.6 ft
Seawind Allied
30.5 ft
LWL
Meridian 95 ★
22.3 ft
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii
24.2 ft
Chance 30 30 Allied
25.0 ft
Seawind Allied
24.0 ft
Beam
Meridian 95 ★
10.3 ft
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii
10.5 ft
Chance 30 30 Allied
10.0 ft
Seawind Allied
9.3 ft
Displacement
Meridian 95 ★
11 lbs
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii
10 lbs
Chance 30 30 Allied
11 lbs
Seawind Allied
12 lbs
Ballast
Meridian 95 ★
4 lbs
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii
4 lbs
Chance 30 30 Allied
6 lbs
Seawind Allied
4 lbs
Sail Area
Meridian 95 ★
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii
Chance 30 30 Allied
483 sq ft
Seawind Allied
502 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Meridian 95 ★
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii
Chance 30 30 Allied
15.5
Seawind Allied
15.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Meridian 95 ★
39.3 %
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii
40.0 %
Chance 30 30 Allied
Seawind Allied
35.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Meridian 95 ★
31.4
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii
Chance 30 30 Allied
30.2
Seawind Allied
36.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Meridian 95 ★
1.84
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii
Chance 30 30 Allied
1.79
Seawind Allied
1.62
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Meridian 95 ★
449
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii
331
Chance 30 30 Allied
Seawind Allied
387
Hull Speed
Meridian 95 ★
6.3 kts
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii
Chance 30 30 Allied
6.7 kts
Seawind Allied
6.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Meridian 95 ★
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii
Chance 30 30 Allied
1.5
Seawind Allied
1.0
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