Controversy 30 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Mount Desert Yacht Yard, nestled in Somes Sound, Maine, transitioned into a significant boatbuilding entity in the late 1940s and 1950s under the leadership of E. Farnham Butler. The yard's ethos, heavily influenced by Butler and Cyrus Hamlin, centered on developing innovative light displacement, reverse sheer cruising boats ranging from 22 to 36 feet. The Controversy 30, introduced in 1960, was a pivotal model within this distinctive "Controversy concept" series.

Built with traditional wooden construction, the Controversy 30 often featured strip-planked hulls, a technique favored by Mount Desert Yacht Yard for its ability to create lightweight yet robust designs. This commitment to classic boatbuilding artistry set the yard apart, as it largely maintained its focus on wooden vessels even as many others transitioned to fiberglass in subsequent decades. The design aimed to balance speed, stability, and comfortable accommodations. While other sailboat models of the era saw various iterations like Mark I or Mark II, there is no widespread information suggesting significant variations or different rig configurations (e.g., tall rig vs. standard rig) specifically for the Controversy 30 during its production.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The design of the Controversy 30, with a length overall of 31.17 feet and a waterline length of 26.67 feet, suggests a vessel crafted for engaging sailing. Its narrow beam of 5.42 feet, combined with a fin keel and a maximum draft of 5.25 feet, hints at a hull form designed for efficiency and upwind prowess. The designers reportedly opted for a "significantly more speedy hull design," sometimes referred to as a "needle" type.

Interpreting its calculated performance ratios offers further insight into its on-water characteristics. With a Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio of approximately 13.94, the Controversy 30 is not classified as a light-air flyer and likely requires a moderate breeze to truly come alive. Its Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio of about 261.22 places it firmly in the medium-heavy displacement category, suggesting a more substantial and comfortable motion in a seaway than lighter, more performance-oriented designs. While specific ballast weight data is not readily available, a higher ballast-to-displacement ratio generally indicates a stiffer, more powerful boat capable of standing up to more wind. The deep fin keel for a vessel of its size would contribute significantly to its stability and ability to track well upwind.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its wooden construction and launch in 1960, the interior of the Controversy 30 would typically reflect the craftsmanship and design aesthetics of that era. Although detailed interior layouts or diagrams are not widely documented, the larger Controversy series boats were noted for offering "excellent headroom and an open interior" as a benefit of their innovative wooden strip-planked construction.

Expected accommodations on a 31-foot cruiser of this vintage would likely include a V-berth forward, a compact head, a salon area with settees that may convert to berths, and a galley. Storage would typically be integrated into cabinetry and under berths. Ventilation would primarily rely on deck hatches and portlights. The finish quality would likely feature substantial wood trim and joinery, characteristic of the Mount Desert Yacht Yard's commitment to traditional artistry. Due to the limited available information, specific details about its interior layout, materials, or unique features are not extensively documented in public sources.