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Starlight 30
Designer: Michael Pocock  ·  Builder: Blue Water Yachts Ltd. (Uk)  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Starlight 30

Designed by Michael Pocock and built by Blue Water Yachts Ltd. in the UK from 1976 to 1980, this 29-foot sailboat represents classic British yacht design from the late 1970s. The Starlight 30 features a modern fin keel with spade rudder configuration that delivers responsive handling and solid upwind performance. With a substantial displacement of 7,297 pounds and generous ballast ratio, this fiberglass cruiser prioritizes stability and seaworthiness over pure speed. The masthead sloop rig carries 465 square feet of sail area, providing adequate power while remaining manageable for short-handed sailing. Her moderate beam of 10 feet creates comfortable interior volume while maintaining reasonable marina costs. The boat's comfort ratio of 21.04 indicates a motion that favors stability over quick motion through waves, making her well-suited for coastal cruising and short offshore passages. Her capsize screening value of 2.07 suggests reasonable stability for experienced sailors venturing beyond protected waters, though she's most at home on coastal adventures. The Starlight 30 appeals to sailors seeking a traditional cruising boat with honest sailing characteristics. Her robust construction and conservative design philosophy make her particularly attractive to those prioritizing seaworthiness and comfort over racing performance or maximum interior space.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.16 ft / 8.89 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.16 ft / 7.06 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 5.92 ft / 1.80 m
Displacement 7,297.00 lb / 3,310 kg
Ballast 4,300.00 lb / 1,950 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 465.00 ft² / 43.20 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Michael Pocock
Builder Blue Water Yachts Ltd. (UK)
First Built 1976
Last Built 1980
Associations Half Ton Class
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
 19.84
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
 58.93
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
 262.23
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
 21.04
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
 2.07
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. 6.45 kn
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. 827.53 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Universal
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 16
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