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Oceanic 30
Designer: Bill O'brien  ·  Builder: Bill O'brian Catamarans (Uk)  ·  First built: 1967
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About the Oceanic 30

A capable and unpretentious cruising sailboat, the Oceanic 30 represents the kind of practical bluewater-minded design that appeals to sailors seeking a reliable coastal or offshore passage-maker without unnecessary complexity. Built with an emphasis on seaworthiness and manageable handling, this boat has found a following among small crews and shorthanded sailors who value comfort and confidence at sea over outright speed. While detailed specifications are limited, the Oceanic 30 carries the hallmarks of a boat intended for serious sailing rather than casual day trips. Its proportions suggest a vessel well-suited to extended coastal cruising, weekend passages, and the occasional offshore adventure for experienced sailors comfortable with a no-frills approach to seamanship. For those researching a first bluewater boat or a step up from smaller trailerable designs, the Oceanic 30 offers an approachable platform that rewards attentive ownership and maintenance. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek out existing owners and inspection reports to better understand the specific build quality and layout variations that may exist across different production years.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 29.00 ft / 8.84 m
Beam 15.33 ft / 4.67 m
Max Draft 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
Displacement 9,520.00 lb / 4,318 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran (no boards/asym.)
Rigging Type Staysail Ketch
Construction Wood/FG
Designer Bill O'Brien
Builder Bill O'Brian Catamarans (UK)
First Built 1967
Number Built 80
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
174.26
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
13.14
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
2.9
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. 7.22 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. 9.53 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 17.37
P (Mainsail Luff) 486.00 ft² / 45.15 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 174.26
How It Compares

vs. Prior 30, Seadog 30, Tahiti Ketch

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Oceanic 30 ★
30.0 ft
Prior 30
30.0 ft
Seadog 30
30.0 ft
Tahiti Ketch
30.0 ft
LWL
Oceanic 30 ★
29.0 ft
Prior 30
22.5 ft
Seadog 30
24.0 ft
Tahiti Ketch
27.0 ft
Beam
Oceanic 30 ★
15.3 ft
Prior 30
9.7 ft
Seadog 30
9.5 ft
Tahiti Ketch
10.0 ft
Displacement
Oceanic 30 ★
9 lbs
Prior 30
12 lbs
Seadog 30
12 lbs
Tahiti Ketch
18 lbs
Ballast
Oceanic 30 ★
Prior 30
5 lbs
Seadog 30
4 lbs
Tahiti Ketch
Performance
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Oceanic 30 ★
Prior 30
46.7 %
Seadog 30
32.5 %
Tahiti Ketch
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Oceanic 30 ★
13.1
Prior 30
Seadog 30
38.1
Tahiti Ketch
46.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Oceanic 30 ★
2.90
Prior 30
Seadog 30
1.63
Tahiti Ketch
1.53
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Oceanic 30 ★
174
Prior 30
470
Seadog 30
412
Tahiti Ketch
408
Hull Speed
Oceanic 30 ★
7.2 kts
Prior 30
Seadog 30
6.6 kts
Tahiti Ketch
7.0 kts
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