Seacart 30 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

Oceanlake Marine AB was founded in Sweden in 2003, with its entire operational history revolving around the production of the Seacart 30. Production of the Seacart 30 commenced in 2003 and continued until Oceanlake Marine ceased its activities in 2015. The design work for the Seacart 30 was undertaken by the Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group, with engineering by Kare Ljung of Windexair. Marc Lombard, a naval architect with a passion for sailing and a background in designing racing boats, aimed to create a vessel that epitomized speed and agility.

Oceanlake Marine's manufacturing ethos during this era was intrinsically linked to performance, utilizing advanced composite construction techniques. They often collaborated with Marström Composite AB, a company known for advanced composite construction, to build the Seacart 30 using primarily carbon fiber, often employing an autoclave process for optimal strength-to-weight ratios. While some general specifications might mention fiberglass construction, the focus for the racing pedigree of the Seacart 30 was firmly on lightweight, high-tech materials. The "GP" (Grand Prix) designation associated with some Seacart 30 models further underscores its focus on competitive racing.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Seacart 30 is engineered for pure speed and agility, characteristics evident in its design specifications. With a length overall of 30.02 feet (9.15 meters) and a waterline length of 29.53 feet, its long waterline contributes significantly to its impressive hull speed of 7.28 knots. The trimaran's substantial beam of 21.88 feet provides immense stability and power, allowing the boat to stand up to its generous sail area of 667 square feet. Weighing in at a remarkably light 2050 pounds (approximately 930 kg), its low displacement for its size, coupled with a powerful fractional sloop rig, makes it exceptionally responsive in light air while maintaining formidable performance as winds increase.

The Seacart 30 is widely regarded as a "rocketship" and one of the fastest sailing boats in its class. Its daggerboard keel design, allowing for a maximum draft of 10.5 feet and a minimum draft of just 1.15 feet, provides significant hydrodynamic efficiency when racing and enables access to very shallow waters or easy beaching. Owners and reviewers consistently describe its handling as exhilarating, capable of achieving impressive speeds and dominating regattas. The three rudders provide precise control and maneuverability at high speeds.

Accommodations and Layout

As a dedicated racing trimaran, the Seacart 30's accommodations are deliberately spartan, prioritizing performance over cruising comfort. There is very little interior volume within its all-carbon hull, designed primarily for essential safety gear rather than extensive living spaces. The interior is often described as empty save for necessary racing equipment, signaling that the boat's primary purpose is competitive sailing.

The cockpit is open aft, designed for efficient crew movement during racing. Reviews suggest that the limited internal space means crew members typically rely on shoreside accommodations or hotels during stopovers, rather than onboard living. While specific details on materials or finish quality are scarce, the construction emphasis is on lightweight, high-strength composites, aligning with its racing pedigree.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Seacart 30 typically form a dedicated community of performance enthusiasts. They consistently laud the boat's exceptional speed, advanced engineering, and its strong competitive edge on the racecourse. The Seacart 30 delivers an exciting sailing experience, living up to its reputation as a pure performance machine capable of achieving remarkable speeds. While detailed discussions about common problems or typical maintenance issues, often found in cruising boat forums, are less prevalent for this niche racing trimaran, the generally high regard from its owners speaks to its robust construction and effective design for its intended purpose.