The Bulldog 30 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Bulldog 30

Underwater Profile: Long keel & transom-hung rudder

Hull Material: Aluminium or steel

Length Overall: 30'0" (9.1m)

Waterline Length: 26'0" (7.9m)

Beam: 10'5" (3.2m)

Draft: 4'11" (1.5m)

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 12,000lb (5,443kg)

Designer: Ted Brewer

Builder: Various, intended for home construction

Published Design Ratios for the Bulldog 30

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.1

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 41.7

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 305

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 34.7

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.8

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Bulldog 30

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.1 suggests that the Bulldog 30 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 41.7 means that the Bulldog 30 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 305, tells us the Bulldog 30 is clearly a heavy displacement cruising boat. You can load her down with all your cruising gear and equipment and it will hardly affect her waterline. Not an ideal choice for coastal sailing, but she'll come into her own on an offshore passage in testing conditions.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 34.7 suggests that crew comfort of a Bulldog 30 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.8 indicates that a Bulldog 30 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.