Austral 30 Information, Review, Specs

The story of the Austral 30 begins around 1980, during a period when Austral Yachts, founded by Adrian and Sue Keough in 1972, was expanding its range beyond its highly successful trailer sailers. While a specific designer for the Austral 30 is not widely published, its development aligned with the builder's overarching design philosophy: to create performance-oriented yachts that are both accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of sailors, embodying the handling and feel of much larger vessels. Production of the Austral 30, alongside the Austral 20 and 24, contributed to approximately 400 units built by the company prior to 1994, indicating a healthy production run for these models.

A notable variation in the Austral 30's design was the availability of both a fixed fin keel, offering a maximum draft of 5.83 feet, and a swing keel option, which significantly reduced the minimum draft to 1.93 feet, enhancing its versatility for shallower waters or trailering (though its 30-foot length makes it a substantial "trailerable"). The boat typically features a fractional sloop rig and a robust fiberglass hull, consistent with Austral Yachts' reputation for durable construction using materials like E-glass sandwich for structural integrity in their larger models.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Austral 30, with a length overall of 30 feet and a waterline length of 23.0 feet, is equipped with a fin keel and a spade rudder, a configuration generally indicative of good upwind performance and responsive handling. While the specific displacement for the Austral 30 is not widely published, making the calculation of standard performance ratios challenging, its design characteristics suggest an emphasis on efficient sailing, aiming for a balance between speed and stability. The 3,800 pounds of ballast in its fin keel contributes to its stability, allowing it to stand up to a good breeze. The fractional sloop rig, with a reported total sail area of 494 square feet, provides ample power for spirited sailing while allowing for easier control and trim. Anecdotal evidence suggests that Austral models of this era offered "good accommodation for family cruising by road and sea," implying that while capable under sail, comfort and ease of handling were also key considerations in its design.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Austral 30, with a maximum headroom of 6.17 feet (approximately 6 feet 2 inches), offers comfortable living spaces for a boat of its size. While specific detailed interior diagrams for the Austral 30 are not readily available in public searches, Austral Yachts is known for equipping its 30-foot class vessels, such as the related Clubman Super 30, with "six berths, a comfortable saloon with fold away table and complete galley facilities". It is reasonable to infer that the Austral 30 would follow a similar functional layout, designed to maximize liveability and convenience for family cruising. The construction emphasizes robust materials, typically seen in other Austral models, suggesting a durable finish and practical use of space, consistent with the builder's ethos of providing performance-oriented yet accessible yachts. These features contribute to its suitability for extended periods on the water, balancing the demands of sailing with the comforts of a well-appointed cruiser.