Back to Search
Union Flyer 30
 ·  First built: 1975
+ Add to Compare
About the Union Flyer 30

Introduced in 1975, this 30-foot fiberglass sloop represents classic mid-1970s sailing design philosophy, balancing performance with practical cruising capabilities. The Union Flyer 30's fractional sloop rig and fin keel configuration deliver responsive handling that appeals to sailors seeking spirited coastal sailing and weekend cruising adventures. With a displacement of 3,000 pounds and 371 square feet of sail area, this boat strikes an appealing balance between stability and performance. The SA/Displacement ratio of 28.61 indicates good sailing performance in moderate conditions, while the comfort ratio of 10.41 suggests quick motion that favors day sailing and short coastal passages over extended offshore voyaging. The capsize screening formula of 2.22 falls within acceptable ranges for coastal sailing with proper seamanship. The 27-foot waterline provides reasonable hull speed potential, making this an engaging boat for sailors who enjoy active sailing rather than pure comfort cruising. The 8-foot beam offers adequate interior space for a boat this size while maintaining the sleek lines characteristic of performance-oriented designs from this era. This Union Flyer 30 suits sailors seeking an affordable entry into classic fiberglass sailing with enough performance to keep weekend sailing interesting and rewarding.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 4.75 ft / 1.45 m
Displacement 3,000.00 lb / 1,361 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 371.00 ft² / 34.47 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
First Built 1975
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

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
28.61
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
68.04
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
10.41
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
2.22
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. 6.96 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
6.9
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. 771.79 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. 28.61
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 28.50 ft / 8.69 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.30 ft / 3.14 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 34.50 ft / 10.52 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.00 ft / 3.96 m
SA Fore 146.78 ft² / 13.64 m²
SA Main 224.25 ft² / 20.83 m²
SA Total (100%) 371.03 ft² / 34.47 m²
Est. Forestay Length 30.30 ft / 9.24 m
How It Compares

vs. Columbia 30, Irwin 30 Competition, J/30, Newport 30 2, Peterson 30 12 Ton

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Union Flyer 30 ★
30.0 ft
Columbia 30
30.0 ft
Irwin 30 Competition
30.0 ft
J/30
30.0 ft
Newport 30 2
30.0 ft
Peterson 30 12 Ton
30.0 ft
LWL
Union Flyer 30 ★
27.0 ft
Columbia 30
26.5 ft
Irwin 30 Competition
26.9 ft
J/30
25.0 ft
Newport 30 2
26.5 ft
Peterson 30 12 Ton
23.0 ft
Beam
Union Flyer 30 ★
8.0 ft
Columbia 30
9.5 ft
Irwin 30 Competition
10.2 ft
J/30
10.8 ft
Newport 30 2
10.7 ft
Peterson 30 12 Ton
10.2 ft
Displacement
Union Flyer 30 ★
3 lbs
Columbia 30
10 lbs
Irwin 30 Competition
10 lbs
J/30
6 lbs
Newport 30 2
8 lbs
Peterson 30 12 Ton
7 lbs
Ballast
Union Flyer 30 ★
Columbia 30
Irwin 30 Competition
4 lbs
J/30
2 lbs
Newport 30 2
2 lbs
Peterson 30 12 Ton
Sail Area
Union Flyer 30 ★
371 sq ft
Columbia 30
515 sq ft
Irwin 30 Competition
474 sq ft
J/30
436 sq ft
Newport 30 2
414 sq ft
Peterson 30 12 Ton
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Union Flyer 30 ★
Columbia 30
180 s/nm
Irwin 30 Competition
J/30
144 s/nm
Newport 30 2
Peterson 30 12 Ton
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Union Flyer 30 ★
28.6
Columbia 30
16.9
Irwin 30 Competition
16.4
J/30
20.8
Newport 30 2
16.6
Peterson 30 12 Ton
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Union Flyer 30 ★
Columbia 30
Irwin 30 Competition
46.0 %
J/30
39.3 %
Newport 30 2
Peterson 30 12 Ton
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Union Flyer 30 ★
10.4
Columbia 30
30.2
Irwin 30 Competition
25.3
J/30
23.6
Newport 30 2
19.2
Peterson 30 12 Ton
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Union Flyer 30 ★
2.22
Columbia 30
1.72
Irwin 30 Competition
1.89
J/30
1.73
Newport 30 2
2.14
Peterson 30 12 Ton
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Union Flyer 30 ★
68
Columbia 30
Irwin 30 Competition
228
J/30
109
Newport 30 2
Peterson 30 12 Ton
286
Hull Speed
Union Flyer 30 ★
7.0 kts
Columbia 30
6.9 kts
Irwin 30 Competition
7.0 kts
J/30
7.6 kts
Newport 30 2
6.9 kts
Peterson 30 12 Ton
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Union Flyer 30 ★
6.9
Columbia 30
2.1
Irwin 30 Competition
2.3
J/30
Newport 30 2
2.8
Peterson 30 12 Ton
Find a Union Flyer 30 For Sale