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Rawson 30
Designer: William Garden  ·  Builder: Ron Rawson, Inc.  ·  First built: 1958
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About the Rawson 30

William Garden's design philosophy of blending traditional aesthetics with practical seaworthiness shines through in this classic cruising sailboat from the late 1950s. Built by Ron Rawson, Inc. over a remarkable 26-year production run, this masthead sloop represents an era when builders prioritized solid construction and time-tested design principles over racing performance. The long keel configuration and substantial 5,000-pound ballast provide exceptional directional stability and contribute to the boat's reputation as a capable offshore passage maker. With a displacement of 12,000 pounds and a comfort ratio of 40.46, this design clearly favors cruising comfort over speed, making it well-suited for extended coastal cruising and offshore voyaging. Garden's attention to seaworthy proportions is evident in the conservative sail area-to-displacement ratio and favorable capsize screening numbers, characteristics that have earned these boats respect among serious cruising sailors. The fiberglass construction ensures durability while maintaining the classic lines Garden was known for. With 252 hulls built during its production run, this model represents one of the more successful interpretations of Garden's traditional design approach, offering modern sailors a taste of classic yacht design with proven ocean-going capabilities.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.50 ft / 9.30 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
Beam 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 12,000.00 lb / 5,443 kg
Ballast 5,000.00 lb / 2,268 kg
Ballast Type Concrete
Sail Area (Reported) 424.00 ft² / 39.39 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William Garden
Builder Ron Rawson, Inc.
First Built 1958
Last Built 1984
Number Built 252
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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
 275
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
 12.99
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
 41.67
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
 503.11
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
 40.46
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
 1.58
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. 6.29 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
 0.58
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. 707.48 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. 12.98
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 36.00 ft / 10.97 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 31.80 ft / 9.69 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.20 ft / 4.33 m
SA Fore 198.00 ft² / 18.39 m²
SA Main 225.78 ft² / 20.98 m²
SA Total (100%) 423.78 ft² / 39.37 m²
Est. Forestay Length 37.64 ft / 11.47 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Palmer
Engine Type Gas
Horsepower 22
Fuel Capacity 37 gals / 140 L
Water Capacity 40 gals / 151 L
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