BoatsCal 2-30

Cal 2-30

Fractional Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1968–1972

A distinct fractional sloop design from Lapworth, featuring a fin keel and spade rudder for balanced handling

Designed by C. William Lapworth, built by Jensen Marine.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

See her sail

The Cal 2-30, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Practical Sailor

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her heavy displacement on a narrow beam gives 32 — a sea-kindly motion in a seaway.

Comfort ratio 32
CoastalBluewater

At 1.66 she sits well under the 2.0 line — a solidly ocean-capable hull for her size.

Capsize screening 1.66
LightHeavy

294 — heavy for her waterline, built to carry stores and ride steadily.

Displacement / length 294
EasygoingPowered-up

15.8 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 15.8
TenderStiff

44% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 44%

Built heavy and sea-kindly — a boat made to cross oceans and forgive a rough night.

  • Narrower than ~75% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2549 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The Cal 2-30, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Cal 2-30 is a 9.2-meter fractional sloop designed by C. William Lapworth and built by Jensen Marine between 1968 and 1972. It features a fin keel with a spade rudder, a 2.7-meter beam, a 1.5-meter draft, and displaces 4672 kg. This model is distinct from both the earlier Cal 30 and the later Cal 3-30. While some versions have a masthead rig, an alternative fractional rig was also available. The Cal 2-30 was built during a period of popularity for the Midget Ocean Racing Class (MORC).1:18 When considering vintage 30-footers, a recent engine repower, such as replacing an original Universal Atomic 4 with a modern diesel, indicates a well-maintained vessel, though soft deck cores and aging standing rigging require inspection.6:35

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
43.7%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
15.8
Displacement / length
294.3
Comfort ratio
32.1
Capsize screening
1.66
Hull speed
6.7 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
804
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1968–1972
Units built
204
Designer
C. William Lapworth
Builder
Jensen Marine, Bangor Punta Corp

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Catalina Yachts 309.12 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthWith over 6,000 hulls produced, this versatile masthead sloop remains one of the most successful production yachts ever built
Cal Boats 309.14 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthOffered with an optional tall rig, this masthead sloop served as the predecessor to the 2-30 series
Tartan Marine 309.12 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Sparkman & Stephens masthead sloop offering versatile interior configurations and a choice of standard or tall rigs
Granada Yachts 309.18 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 30-foot fractional sloop with a 1.65-meter draft, designed for balanced, performance-oriented cruising
Dufour Arpege 309.14 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA record-breaking production of over 1500 units, this MORC-compliant racer-cruiser defined a new standard for the 30-foot class
Nonsuch 309.24 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 30-foot cruiser with a 43% ballast ratio, offering a stable and stiff platform for coastal cruising

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

Search what's been said about the Cal 2-30, or ask a specific question — the answer comes back written out, with links to the moments it draws on.

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