The Nonsuch 30 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
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 28.8′, the Nonsuch 30 tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.8′ LWL = 7.2 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
174s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
18.1
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Comfort Ratio
20.5
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.18
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
20.5
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
2.18
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Nonsuch 30 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Nonsuch 30
174s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Pearson 303
198s/nm
Alberg 30
228s/nm
Cape Dory 30K
228s/nm
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° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.2 |
4.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.4 |
5.5 |
6.2 |
6.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
5.9 |
| Run150–180° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts),
SA/D (18.1), 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 Nonsuch 30 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 Nonsuch 30.
|
Nonsuch 30 |
Alberg 30 |
Cape Dory 30K |
Cc 12 Ton |
Ericson 30 1 |
Pearson 303 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
30.3 |
30.3 |
30.2 |
30.4 |
30.3 |
30.3 |
| LWL |
28.8 |
21.7 |
22.8 |
24.3 |
23.3 |
25.4 |
| Beam |
11.9 |
8.8 |
9.0 |
10.8 |
9.5 |
10.9 |
| Displacement |
10 |
9 |
10 |
6 |
7 |
10 |
| Ballast |
4 |
3 |
4 |
— |
3 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
540 |
410 |
434 |
388 |
410 |
459 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
174 |
228 |
228 |
— |
— |
198 |
| SA/Disp |
18.1 |
15.2 |
15.0 |
18.1 |
16.7 |
15.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
36.7 |
40.0 |
— |
38.5 |
34.7 |
| Comfort |
20.5 |
31.9 |
33.1 |
15.9 |
23.7 |
24.1 |
| Capsize |
2.18 |
1.69 |
1.67 |
2.33 |
1.92 |
2.02 |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
6.2 |
6.4 |
6.6 |
6.5 |
6.8 |