Pyramid 30 Information, Review, Specs

The Pyramid 30's story began in 1982, marking its debut from Pyramid Boat Works. The builder, founded by Jack Sheldon in San Leandro, California, was known for its collaborations with acclaimed designers like Carl Schumacher, which underscored a commitment to performance-oriented vessels despite being a smaller operation. Schumacher, who established his own design firm in 1977, was eager to test new design concepts and his work had a far-reaching influence on sailboat design and racing. The Pyramid 30 itself is a testament to this ethos, featuring a hull constructed from solid fiberglass, a common and robust material for its era [1,. With a length overall of 30.0 feet and a waterline length of 25.0 feet, the design prioritized a slender and efficient underwater profile, characterized by a fin keel and spade rudder, all hallmarks of a boat built for spirited sailing. Information regarding significant variations during its production run remains limited, suggesting the model largely maintained its original design specifications.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Pyramid 30's design ratios distinctly position it as a lightweight, high-performance sailing vessel. With a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 27.34, the boat is exceptionally powerful for its size, indicating excellent performance in light wind conditions and the ability to accelerate quickly. Its Displacement to Length ratio (D/L) of 108.57 further reinforces its identity as a light-displacement design, contributing to its speed and responsiveness.

The boat carries a Ballast to Displacement ratio of approximately 40%. This relatively high ballast ratio, with an estimated 1,520 lbs of ballast for a 3,800 lb displacement, provides a good degree of initial stiffness, allowing the boat to stand up to its rig in a breeze [1,. However, as a light and performance-focused design, anecdotal reports suggest the Pyramid 30 can be a lively boat, demanding attention from the helm, especially in challenging conditions. While it offers exhilarating performance, its ultimate stability may be less forgiving than heavier, broader cruisers, and it has been characterized as having a "low righting capability if capsized," which might refer to its behavior at extreme angles of heel rather than initial stability under normal sailing. With a maximum draft of 5.5 feet, it offers a deep foil for efficient upwind performance, complementing its speedy hull design [4,.

Accommodations and Layout

Details regarding the interior accommodations and layout of the Pyramid 30 are scarce in available records. As a sailboat primarily designed for racing and high performance, the interior appointments were likely functional and efficient, prioritizing weight savings and structural integrity over extensive cruising comforts. While specific information on berths, galley, head configuration, and finish quality is not widely documented, it can be inferred that the cabin space would have been adequate for overnighting or short cruising trips, albeit without the voluminous interiors found in heavier cruising boats of similar length. The focus on competitive sailing often means a more spartan and open interior to facilitate sail handling and crew movement below deck.