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Pinnacle 30
Designer: Doug Peterson  ·  Builder: Pinnacle Design Group  ·  First built: 1985
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About the Pinnacle 30

Designed as a capable and versatile cruising sailboat, the Pinnacle 30 occupies a practical niche for sailors seeking a manageable yet capable vessel for coastal and near-offshore adventures. Its 30-foot length puts it in a sweet spot that appeals to small crews and solo sailors alike, offering enough space for comfortable daysailing or weekend cruising without the complexity of a larger bluewater passage-maker. While detailed specifications for the Pinnacle 30 are limited in available records, boats of this size and era typically reflect the design priorities of their time — balancing stability, ease of handling, and approachable performance. Sailors drawn to the Pinnacle 30 often value its suitability for harbor hopping, coastal exploration, and relaxed weekend sailing rather than competitive racing circuits. For prospective buyers, the limited documentation surrounding this model makes hands-on inspection and consultation with current owners especially important. Connecting with sailing forums or class communities, if one exists, can provide valuable firsthand insight into the boat's real-world performance, maintenance considerations, and any known quirks that don't always surface in formal records.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.92 ft / 9.12 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.50 ft / 7.77 m
Beam 11.17 ft / 3.40 m
Max Draft 5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Displacement 5,600.00 lb / 2,540 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 455.00 ft² / 42.27 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Doug Peterson
Builder Pinnacle Design Group
First Built 1985
Related Sailboats ["Olson 911 S" · "Santana 30 30Gp" · "Cal 92" · "Tartan 3000" · "Capri 30 Catalina"]
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
 93
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
 23.15
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
 12.97
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
 2.52
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. 6.77
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
 4.17
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 41.42
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.08
P (Mainsail Luff) 37.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.0
SA Fore 250.18
SA Main 203.5
How It Compares

vs. Cal 92, Santana 30 30Gp, Tartan 3000

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Pinnacle 30 ★
29.9 ft
Cal 92
30.0 ft
Santana 30 30Gp
29.9 ft
Tartan 3000
30.0 ft
LWL
Pinnacle 30 ★
25.5 ft
Cal 92
25.4 ft
Santana 30 30Gp
25.4 ft
Tartan 3000
25.3 ft
Beam
Pinnacle 30 ★
11.2 ft
Cal 92
10.3 ft
Santana 30 30Gp
10.3 ft
Tartan 3000
10.1 ft
Displacement
Pinnacle 30 ★
5 lbs
Cal 92
7 lbs
Santana 30 30Gp
6 lbs
Tartan 3000
7 lbs
Ballast
Pinnacle 30 ★
—
Cal 92
2 lbs
Santana 30 30Gp
2 lbs
Tartan 3000
3 lbs
Sail Area
Pinnacle 30 ★
455 sq ft
Cal 92
388 sq ft
Santana 30 30Gp
340 sq ft
Tartan 3000
441 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Pinnacle 30 ★
93 s/nm
Cal 92
—
Santana 30 30Gp
171 s/nm
Tartan 3000
162 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Pinnacle 30 ★
23.2
Cal 92
17.0
Santana 30 30Gp
16.5
Tartan 3000
17.8
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Pinnacle 30 ★
13.0
Cal 92
18.0
Santana 30 30Gp
15.6
Tartan 3000
21.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Pinnacle 30 ★
2.52
Cal 92
2.16
Santana 30 30Gp
2.26
Tartan 3000
2.02
Hull Speed
Pinnacle 30 ★
6.8 kts
Cal 92
6.8 kts
Santana 30 30Gp
6.8 kts
Tartan 3000
6.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Pinnacle 30 ★
4.2
Cal 92
2.8
Santana 30 30Gp
3.8
Tartan 3000
2.6
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