The Rawson 30 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a gentle bluewater motion.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 22.0′, the Rawson 30 tops out around 6.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.0′ LWL = 6.3 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
275s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
13.0
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
41.7%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
503
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
40.5
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.58
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
707lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
40.5
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.58
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Rawson 30 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii
192s/nm
Nicholson 31
194s/nm
Columbia 31
222s/nm
Southern Cross 28
246s/nm
Rawson 30
275s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.2 |
2.8 |
3.1 |
3.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
4.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Run150–180° |
2.4 |
3.1 |
3.4 |
3.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.3 kts),
SA/D (13.0), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Rawson 30 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–24 kts
24–34 kts
34+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–24 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
24–34 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
34+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Rawson 30.
|
Rawson 30 |
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii |
Columbia 31 |
Nicholson 31 |
Seawind Allied |
Southern Cross 28 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
30.5 |
30.5 |
30.5 |
30.5 |
30.5 |
30.4 |
| LWL |
22.0 |
24.2 |
21.5 |
24.2 |
24.0 |
20.2 |
| Beam |
9.0 |
10.5 |
9.8 |
10.2 |
9.3 |
8.5 |
| Displacement |
12 |
10 |
8 |
13 |
12 |
8 |
| Ballast |
5 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
424 |
495 |
422 |
484 |
502 |
415 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
275 |
192 |
222 |
194 |
— |
246 |
| SA/Disp |
13.0 |
16.6 |
16.3 |
14.1 |
15.4 |
16.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
41.7 |
40.0 |
40.0 |
— |
35.0 |
40.0 |
| Comfort |
40.5 |
27.2 |
25.9 |
35.0 |
36.9 |
32.7 |
| Capsize |
1.58 |
1.92 |
1.93 |
1.74 |
1.62 |
1.67 |
| Hull Speed |
6.3 |
6.6 |
6.2 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.0 |