Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 22.5′, the Prior 30 tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.5′ LWL = 6.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
46.7%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
470
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Hull Speed
6.4kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Prior 30 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Columbia 30
Contest 30
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Prior 30.
| Prior 30 | Arpege 30 Dufour | Columbia 30 | Contest 30 | Morgan Giles 30 | Yankee 30 Mkii 98 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 30.0 | 30.0 | 30.0 | 30.0 | 30.0 | 30.0 |
| LWL | 22.5 | 22.0 | 26.5 | 24.9 | 21.1 | 23.0 |
| Beam | 9.7 | 9.9 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 8.8 | 9.0 |
| Displacement | 12 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
| Ballast | 5 | 3 | — | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Sail Area | — | 382 | 515 | 362 | — | 430 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | 180 | 224 | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 15.7 | 16.9 | 13.6 | — | 16.3 |
| Bal/Disp | 46.7 | 39.6 | — | 45.4 | 47.4 | 47.5 |
| Comfort | — | 23.0 | 30.2 | 27.6 | — | 28.7 |
| Capsize | — | 2.01 | 1.72 | 1.75 | — | 1.75 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.3 | 6.9 | 6.7 | — | 6.4 |