Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.5 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 23.3′, the Wanderer 30 Pearson tops out around 6.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √23.3′ LWL = 6.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
38.8%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
345
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
6.5kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Wanderer 30 Pearson sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Pearson 303
Alberg 30
Cape Dory 30K
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Wanderer 30 Pearson.
| Wanderer 30 Pearson | Alberg 30 | Cal 2 30 | Cape Dory 30K | Ericson 30 1 | Pearson 303 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 30.3 | 30.3 | 30.2 | 30.2 | 30.3 | 30.3 |
| LWL | 23.3 | 21.7 | 25.0 | 22.8 | 23.3 | 25.4 |
| Beam | 9.3 | 8.8 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 10.9 |
| Displacement | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 10 |
| Ballast | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Sail Area | — | 410 | 464 | 434 | 410 | 459 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 228 | — | 228 | — | 198 |
| SA/Disp | — | 15.2 | 15.7 | 15.0 | 16.7 | 15.8 |
| Bal/Disp | 38.8 | 36.7 | 43.7 | 40.0 | 38.5 | 34.7 |
| Comfort | — | 31.9 | 32.1 | 33.1 | 23.7 | 24.1 |
| Capsize | — | 1.69 | 1.66 | 1.67 | 1.92 | 2.02 |
| Hull Speed | — | 6.2 | 6.7 | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6.8 |