The Windward 30 is designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 22.8′, the Windward 30 tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.8′ 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.
PHRF Rating
192s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Ballast / Displacement
38.8%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
300
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
6.4kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
4lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Windward 30 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Tanzer 31
Windward 30
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii
Nicholson 31
Columbia 31
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Windward 30.
| Windward 30 | Cape Dory 30 Mk Ii | Cc 12 Ton | Columbia 31 | Nicholson 31 | Tanzer 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 30.5 | 30.5 | 30.4 | 30.5 | 30.5 | 30.6 |
| LWL | 22.8 | 24.2 | 24.3 | 21.5 | 24.2 | 25.0 |
| Beam | 9.2 | 10.5 | 10.8 | 9.8 | 10.2 | 10.5 |
| Displacement | 8 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 13 | 8 |
| Ballast | 3 | 4 | — | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Sail Area | — | 495 | 388 | 422 | 484 | 468 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 192 | 192 | — | 222 | 194 | 165 |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.6 | 18.1 | 16.3 | 14.1 | 18.3 |
| Bal/Disp | 38.8 | 40.0 | — | 40.0 | — | 39.8 |
| Comfort | — | 27.2 | 15.9 | 25.9 | 35.0 | 21.0 |
| Capsize | — | 1.92 | 2.33 | 1.93 | 1.74 | 2.08 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.6 | 6.6 | 6.2 | 6.6 | 6.7 |