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Sea Sprite 30
Designer: A. E. Luders  ·  Builder: C. E. Ryder (Usa)  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Sea Sprite 30

A classic American production sailboat with roots in the mid-twentieth century cruising scene, the Sea Sprite 30 earned a quiet but loyal following among sailors seeking an affordable and capable coastal cruiser. Built by Crosby Yacht in Massachusetts, the design reflects an era when seakindly hulls and practical accommodations took priority over racing performance, making it a natural fit for weekend cruising, coastal passages, and protected-water sailing with family or friends. The Sea Sprite 30 is generally regarded as a sturdy, well-mannered boat that rewards attentive seamanship without demanding it. Her hull form tends toward the traditional, offering comfort in a chop and a forgiving motion that suits less experienced crews. Below decks, the layout prioritizes liveability for extended weekends or short cruises rather than spartan racing efficiency. While not a performance thoroughbred, the Sea Sprite 30 has proven itself a dependable and manageable cruiser that holds its value in the used market. For buyers seeking an entry point into coastal cruising with a boat that has stood the test of time, it remains a worthwhile candidate worth researching carefully.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.17 ft / 9.20 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
Beam 9.50 ft / 2.90 m
Max Draft 4.75 ft / 1.45 m
Displacement 10,000.00 lb / 4,536 kg
Ballast 4,100.00 lb / 1,860 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer A. E. Luders
Builder C. E. Ryder (USA)
First Built 1982
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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
225
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
41.0
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
419.26
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. 4.48 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 14.70
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 425.00 ft² / 39.48 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Universal
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 14
How It Compares

vs. Alberg 30, Pearson 303, Westerly 30

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Sea Sprite 30 ★
30.2 ft
Alberg 30
30.3 ft
Pearson 303
30.3 ft
Westerly 30
30.2 ft
LWL
Sea Sprite 30 ★
22.0 ft
Alberg 30
21.7 ft
Pearson 303
25.4 ft
Westerly 30
25.8 ft
Beam
Sea Sprite 30 ★
9.5 ft
Alberg 30
8.8 ft
Pearson 303
10.9 ft
Westerly 30
8.7 ft
Displacement
Sea Sprite 30 ★
10 lbs
Alberg 30
9 lbs
Pearson 303
10 lbs
Westerly 30
7 lbs
Ballast
Sea Sprite 30 ★
4 lbs
Alberg 30
3 lbs
Pearson 303
3 lbs
Westerly 30
3 lbs
Sail Area
Sea Sprite 30 ★
Alberg 30
410 sq ft
Pearson 303
459 sq ft
Westerly 30
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Sea Sprite 30 ★
225 s/nm
Alberg 30
228 s/nm
Pearson 303
198 s/nm
Westerly 30
231 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Sea Sprite 30 ★
Alberg 30
15.2
Pearson 303
15.8
Westerly 30
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Sea Sprite 30 ★
41.0 %
Alberg 30
Pearson 303
34.7 %
Westerly 30
44.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Sea Sprite 30 ★
Alberg 30
31.9
Pearson 303
24.1
Westerly 30
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Sea Sprite 30 ★
Alberg 30
1.69
Pearson 303
2.02
Westerly 30
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Sea Sprite 30 ★
419
Alberg 30
Pearson 303
276
Westerly 30
184
Hull Speed
Sea Sprite 30 ★
Alberg 30
6.2 kts
Pearson 303
6.8 kts
Westerly 30
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Sea Sprite 30 ★
Alberg 30
1.1
Pearson 303
1.8
Westerly 30
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