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Niagara 30
Designer: George Hinterhoeller  ·  Builder: Hinterhoeller Yachts Ltd.  ·  First built: 1967
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About the Niagara 30

Designed by Mark Ellis and built by Hinterhoeller Yachts in Ontario, Canada, the Niagara 30 earned a strong reputation as a capable and well-balanced cruising sailboat that appealed to sailors looking for a reliable offshore performer without sacrificing daysailing enjoyment. Part of a respected lineage of Canadian-built production boats, the Niagara line was known for quality construction and practical design, and the 30 carried those traits forward with a hull form that emphasized seakeeping ability and comfortable motion in a variety of conditions. Well-suited to coastal and nearshore cruising, the Niagara 30 offers sailors a manageable size that is easy to handle short-handed while still providing enough stability and range for more ambitious passages. Its reputation among owners points to a forgiving, confident performer that inspires trust in open water. The cockpit layout and below-deck accommodations reflect practical cruising priorities, making it a solid choice for couples or small crews planning extended time on the water. For buyers seeking a proven Canadian-built cruiser with a loyal following, the Niagara 30 remains a compelling option in the used boat market.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.50 ft / 7.16 m
Beam 8.50 ft / 2.59 m
Max Draft 4.16 ft / 1.27 m
Displacement 4,000.00 lb / 1,814 kg
Ballast 1,800.00 lb / 816 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 320.00 ft² / 29.73 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer George Hinterhoeller
Builder Hinterhoeller Yachts Ltd.
First Built 1967
Last Built 1969
Owner Reviews

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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
182
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
20.37
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
14.04
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
2.14
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. 6.5
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
3.94
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. 713.73
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 30.5
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.23
P (Mainsail Luff) 25.75
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.8
SA Fore 156.01
SA Main 151.93
How It Compares

vs. Acadian 30 Paceship, Capri 30 Chris Craft, Columbia 30

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Niagara 30 ★
30.0 ft
Acadian 30 Paceship
30.0 ft
Capri 30 Chris Craft
30.0 ft
Columbia 30
30.0 ft
LWL
Niagara 30 ★
23.5 ft
Acadian 30 Paceship
21.8 ft
Capri 30 Chris Craft
25.0 ft
Columbia 30
26.5 ft
Beam
Niagara 30 ★
8.5 ft
Acadian 30 Paceship
8.5 ft
Capri 30 Chris Craft
9.7 ft
Columbia 30
9.5 ft
Displacement
Niagara 30 ★
4 lbs
Acadian 30 Paceship
7 lbs
Capri 30 Chris Craft
11 lbs
Columbia 30
10 lbs
Ballast
Niagara 30 ★
1 lbs
Acadian 30 Paceship
3 lbs
Capri 30 Chris Craft
4 lbs
Columbia 30
Sail Area
Niagara 30 ★
320 sq ft
Acadian 30 Paceship
387 sq ft
Capri 30 Chris Craft
474 sq ft
Columbia 30
515 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Niagara 30 ★
182 s/nm
Acadian 30 Paceship
Capri 30 Chris Craft
Columbia 30
180 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Niagara 30 ★
20.4
Acadian 30 Paceship
17.0
Capri 30 Chris Craft
14.7
Columbia 30
16.9
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Niagara 30 ★
14.0
Acadian 30 Paceship
25.8
Capri 30 Chris Craft
33.3
Columbia 30
30.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Niagara 30 ★
2.14
Acadian 30 Paceship
1.78
Capri 30 Chris Craft
1.70
Columbia 30
1.72
Hull Speed
Niagara 30 ★
6.5 kts
Acadian 30 Paceship
6.3 kts
Capri 30 Chris Craft
6.7 kts
Columbia 30
6.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Niagara 30 ★
3.9
Acadian 30 Paceship
1.7
Capri 30 Chris Craft
1.3
Columbia 30
2.1
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