The LM 30 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The LM 30, a sloop-rigged motorsailer was designed by Bent Juul Andersen and built in Denmark by LM Glasfiber.

An LM 30 sailboat moored off in the Tamar off Saltash, Cornwall in England

An LM-30 Motorsailer

Published Specification for the LM 30

Underwater Profile: Fin keel* & skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 31'10" (9.7m)

Waterline Length: 26'3" (8.0m)

Beam: 10'0" (3.1m)

Draft: 4'11" (1.5m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 11,000lb (4,990kg)

Ballast: Not published

Designer: Bent Juul Andersen

Builder: LM Glasfiber (Denmark)

Year First Built: 1977

Year Last Built: 1990

Number Built: 311

* Bilge keels are an option

Published Design Ratios for the LM 30

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 11.7

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: Not published

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 272

4. Comfort Ratio: 28.4

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.8

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the LM 30

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 11.7 suggests that the LM 30 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. In the absence of published ballast details for the LM 30 we are unable to calculate the Ballast/Displacement Ratio.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 272, tells us the LM 30 is a moderate-to-heavy displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into the moderate displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 28.4 suggests that crew comfort of a LM 30 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not the best of news for anyone prone to seasickness.

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

Mor about the LM 30 Motorsailor

The LM 30 is a motorsailer, which means that it can be propelled by either sails or engine, or both. This gives it more flexibility and reliability than a pure sailboat, especially in light winds or adverse currents. The LM 30 has a Volvo MD17D diesel engine with a saildrive that can push the boat up to 7 knots under power.

Accommodation

One of the main attractions of the LM 30 is its spacious and comfortable accommodation. The boat has two helm positions: one in the cockpit with a tiller, and one in the wheelhouse with a wheel. The wheelhouse also has an ingenious pull-out seat for the mate and a sliding hatch above the helm for better visibility. The wheelhouse is connected to the saloon by a step down, creating an open and airy feeling.

The saloon has two settees that can convert to a single and a double berth, respectively. There is also a folding table that can seat six people comfortably. The saloon has plenty of storage space under the seats and in the lockers above them.

There is also a navigation station on the starboard side, with instruments and charts.

The galley is located on the port side of the wheelhouse, opposite the helm. It has a two-burner gas stove with an oven, a sink with hot and cold water, and a refrigerator. There is also ample counter space and storage for utensils and provisions.

The forecabin has a double V-berth with an infill cushion, and a locker on the port side. The head compartment is opposite the locker, on the starboard side. It has a marine toilet, a slide-out washbasin, and a shower. There is also another opening hatch for ventilation.

The cockpit is another living area on the boat, with space for six people around a foldaway table. There are large lockers under the seats for storing sails, fenders, ropes, etc. The cockpit also has a canvas cover that can be rolled up or down depending on the weather.

Hull and Deck

The hull and deck of the LM 30 are designed to be sturdy and functional. The hull has a moderate fin keel (although bilge keels are an option) that provides stability and reduces leeway. The rudder is a spade type that gives good manoeuvrability and responsiveness. The bilge keel option allows the boat to dry out on tidal moorings without damaging the propeller or rudder.

The deck is wide enough to move around easily, but with everything led back to the cockpit, there is little need to leave it. The deck has a non-skid surface for safety and grip. There are also stainless steel handrails, stanchions, and lifelines for security. The deck also has several cleats, fairleads, and winches for handling the sails and lines.

The bow has a stainless steel pulpit and a bow roller. There is also an electric windlass with a remote control that can handle the anchor and chain. The anchor locker has a drain and a hatch for access. The stern has a stainless steel pushpit and a boarding ladder. There is also a stern locker for storing gas bottles.

Other Versions

The LM 30 is the most popular model of the LM series, which also includes the LM 27, the LM 32, and the LM 35. The LM 30 is similar to the LM 27 but with more length, beam, and sail area. The LM 32 and the LM 35 are larger versions of the LM 30, with more accommodation and amenities.

The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.