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Presto 30
Designer: Rodger Martin  ·  Builder: Union River Boat Co. (Usa)  ·  First built: 2009
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About the Presto 30

Designed by Rodger Martin and built by Union River Boat Co. since 2009, this distinctive 30-footer stands out with its unusual cat ketch rig featuring unstayed masts. The fiberglass construction incorporates a centerboard trunk system, allowing access to shallow waters while maintaining respectable sailing performance with a theoretical hull speed of 7.18 knots. The Presto 30's modest 3,950-pound displacement and relatively light 1,000-pound ballast configuration creates a responsive sailing platform well-suited for coastal cruising and daysailing. Its generous beam of 8.45 feet provides good initial stability, while the centerboard design offers draft flexibility from shallow bay exploration to deeper water sailing. The cat ketch rig distributes sail area across two smaller, manageable sails totaling 400 square feet, making single-handed sailing more approachable. With a comfort ratio of 12.21, this boat leans toward the sportier end of the cruising spectrum, prioritizing performance over heavy-weather comfort. The capsize screening formula of 2.14 suggests reasonable offshore capability, though the design appears optimized for protected waters and coastal adventures. The unstayed rig configuration reduces complexity while offering the freedom camping typical of working boat traditions, making maintenance simpler for owner-operators seeking an uncomplicated sailing experience.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.75 ft / 8.76 m
Beam 8.45 ft / 2.58 m
Max Draft 5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Min Draft 1.12 ft / 0.34 m
Displacement 3,950.00 lb / 1,792 kg
Ballast 1,000.00 lb / 454 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 400.00 ft² / 37.16 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard (Trunk)
Rigging Type Cat Ketch (unstayed)
Construction FG
Designer Rodger Martin
Builder Union River Boat Co. (USA)
First Built 2009
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
 173
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
 25.68
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
 25.32
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
 74.21
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
 12.21
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. 7.18 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. 868.04 pounds/inch
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