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Pyramid 30
Designer: Carl Schumacher  ·  Builder: Pyramid Boat Works (Usa)  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Pyramid 30

Designed by renowned naval architect Carl Schumacher and built by Pyramid Boat Works starting in 1982, this 30-footer represents the era's pursuit of performance-oriented sailing. Schumacher's reputation for creating fast, competitive designs is evident in the boat's aggressive sail area to displacement ratio of 27.34, marking it as a spirited performer built for speed. The fractional sloop rig and fin keel with spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling and excellent upwind performance, making this boat particularly well-suited for coastal racing and spirited day sailing. With a displacement of just 3,800 pounds and 415 square feet of sail area, the design prioritizes performance over heavy-weather capability or long-distance cruising comfort. The low comfort ratio of 12.61 and capsize screening formula of 2.21 indicate this is a boat designed for experienced sailors who prioritize speed and agility over creature comforts. While the fiberglass construction provides durability, the design philosophy clearly favors racing characteristics over cruising amenities. This makes the Pyramid 30 an excellent choice for competitive sailors seeking a responsive platform for club racing, PHRF competition, or aggressive coastal sailing where performance takes precedence over accommodations.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
Beam 8.60 ft / 2.62 m
Max Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Displacement 3,800.00 lb / 1,724 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 415.00 ft² / 38.55 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Carl Schumacher
Builder Pyramid Boat Works (USA)
First Built 1982
Related Sailboats J/30 · Moore 30 · Express 30 Killing · Capo 30 · Newport 30 3
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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
102
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
27.34
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
108.57
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
12.61
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
2.21
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. 6.70 kn
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
5.6
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. 768.22 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 27.26
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 31.75 ft / 9.68 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.90 ft / 3.02 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 37.05 ft / 11.29 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.85 ft / 4.22 m
SA Fore 157.16 ft² / 14.60 m²
SA Main 256.57 ft² / 23.84 m²
SA Total (100%) 413.73 ft² / 38.44 m²
Est. Forestay Length 33.26 ft / 10.14 m
How It Compares

vs. Capo 30, Express 30 Killing, J/30, Moore 30, Newport 30 3

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Pyramid 30 ★
30.0 ft
Capo 30
30.0 ft
Express 30 Killing
30.0 ft
J/30
30.0 ft
Moore 30
30.0 ft
Newport 30 3
30.0 ft
LWL
Pyramid 30 ★
25.0 ft
Capo 30
25.0 ft
Express 30 Killing
24.5 ft
J/30
25.0 ft
Moore 30
26.3 ft
Newport 30 3
26.5 ft
Beam
Pyramid 30 ★
8.6 ft
Capo 30
10.3 ft
Express 30 Killing
10.0 ft
J/30
10.8 ft
Moore 30
14.0 ft
Newport 30 3
10.7 ft
Displacement
Pyramid 30 ★
3 lbs
Capo 30
7 lbs
Express 30 Killing
8 lbs
J/30
6 lbs
Moore 30
2 lbs
Newport 30 3
8 lbs
Ballast
Pyramid 30 ★
Capo 30
3 lbs
Express 30 Killing
3 lbs
J/30
2 lbs
Moore 30
800 lbs
Newport 30 3
2 lbs
Sail Area
Pyramid 30 ★
415 sq ft
Capo 30
476 sq ft
Express 30 Killing
J/30
436 sq ft
Moore 30
466 sq ft
Newport 30 3
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Pyramid 30 ★
102 s/nm
Capo 30
114 s/nm
Express 30 Killing
J/30
144 s/nm
Moore 30
51 s/nm
Newport 30 3
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Pyramid 30 ★
27.3
Capo 30
20.5
Express 30 Killing
J/30
20.8
Moore 30
47.1
Newport 30 3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Pyramid 30 ★
Capo 30
41.7 %
Express 30 Killing
42.7 %
J/30
39.3 %
Moore 30
40.0 %
Newport 30 3
30.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Pyramid 30 ★
12.6
Capo 30
18.7
Express 30 Killing
J/30
23.6
Moore 30
3.4
Newport 30 3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Pyramid 30 ★
2.21
Capo 30
2.14
Express 30 Killing
J/30
1.73
Moore 30
4.45
Newport 30 3
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Pyramid 30 ★
108
Capo 30
205
Express 30 Killing
248
J/30
109
Moore 30
49
Newport 30 3
203
Hull Speed
Pyramid 30 ★
6.7 kts
Capo 30
6.7 kts
Express 30 Killing
J/30
7.6 kts
Moore 30
6.9 kts
Newport 30 3
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Pyramid 30 ★
5.6
Capo 30
3.0
Express 30 Killing
J/30
Moore 30
10.2
Newport 30 3
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