The Starlight 30 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 23.2′, the Starlight 30 tops out around 6.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √23.2′ LWL = 6.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
19.8
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
58.9%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
262
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
21.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.07
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
828lbs
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
21.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.07
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Starlight 30 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
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° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.4 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.5 kts),
SA/D (19.8), 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 Starlight 30 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–20 kts
20–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ 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 Starlight 30.
|
Starlight 30 |
Alberg 29 |
Cal 2 29 |
J/29 |
Lancer 30 4 |
Leisure 29 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
29.2 |
29.3 |
29.0 |
29.0 |
29.2 |
29.1 |
| LWL |
23.2 |
22.3 |
24.0 |
24.3 |
24.0 |
25.0 |
| Beam |
10.0 |
9.2 |
9.3 |
10.7 |
10.0 |
9.2 |
| Displacement |
7 |
9 |
8 |
5 |
8 |
7 |
| Ballast |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
465 |
417 |
422 |
392 |
— |
265 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
225 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
19.8 |
15.5 |
16.9 |
21.3 |
— |
11.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
58.9 |
44.4 |
41.9 |
40.5 |
36.6 |
44.9 |
| Comfort |
21.0 |
29.9 |
25.0 |
22.1 |
23.1 |
22.9 |
| Capsize |
2.07 |
1.77 |
1.85 |
1.76 |
1.99 |
1.89 |
| Hull Speed |
6.5 |
6.3 |
6.6 |
7.5 |
6.6 |
6.7 |