BoatsExpress 30 (Killing)

Express 30 (Killing)

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · First built 1981

A 1981 masthead sloop with a fin keel and spade rudder, balancing a 42% ballast ratio for stiff performance

Designed by Steve Killing, built by Goman Boat.

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

Is it for you?

Character

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

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a moderate beam gives 23 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 23
CoastalBluewater

1.99 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.99
LightHeavy

249 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 249
EasygoingPowered-up

18.6 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 18.6
TenderStiff

43% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 43%

Powered-up and quick to accelerate — this one likes to sail.

The record

Full specifications

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

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
42.7%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
18.6
Displacement / length
248.9
Comfort ratio
22.6
Capsize screening
1.99
Hull speed
6.6 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
875
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1981
Designer
Steve Killing
Builder
Goman Boat, Express Yachting

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

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.

Islander Yachts Bahama 309.12 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1973-1985 production masthead sloop sharing its hull with the Islander 30 MKII and featuring a balanced fin keel
Pearson Yachts 309.08 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Bill Shaw-designed masthead sloop with over 1,000 hulls built, balancing a stiff 43% ballast ratio for coastal cruising
C&C Yachts 30-1 (1-506)9.14 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthWith a 12-year production run, this masthead sloop stands as the longest-built model in the C&C lineup.
Seafarer Yachts 309.13 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead sloop available with a tall rig and keel centerboard, distinct from the earlier Tripp-designed model
C&C Yachts 30-29.12 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA performance-oriented masthead sloop with a fin keel and spade rudder, designed by C&C for balanced club racing
CS 309.14 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Tony Castro-designed masthead sloop that became the most popular model in CS Yachts history

The family

Boats like this

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

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

Two ways to keep looking — both search what the fleet has actually recorded.

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