Henderson 30 Information, Review, Specs

With a length overall of just over 30 feet, the Henderson 30 embodies a design philosophy focused squarely on performance and refined handling. She appeals to sailors seeking a thrilling, responsive ride, whether in light breezes or challenging, windy conditions.

The production of the Henderson 30 spanned from 1997 to 2000, with SOCA Sailboats Ltd. building approximately 30 units of this specific model during that period. The builder, SOCA Sailboats, which operated from 1996 to 2015, committed to a niche of high-performance sailing vessels, aligning perfectly with the Henderson 30's design brief. The design by Glenn Henderson aimed to create an attractive and exciting racing boat. His philosophy embraced a "sexy hull shape with a lot of shape change," featuring a hollow entry and V-ed forward sections, contributing to its distinctive look and performance. The design also ingeniously incorporated a short bridgedeck to hide a retractable outboard motor system, and the overall emphasis was on keeping crew weight centralized for optimal balance. There is no widely documented evidence of significant variations like MkI or MkII during its production run, though its design did incorporate a retractable, articulating sprit for a masthead spinnaker and was often equipped with a carbon fiber mast.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Henderson 30 is unequivocally a high-performance machine, with its specifications translating into a qualitative description of a fast and nimble sportboat. Its Sail Area to Displacement Ratio (SA/D) of approximately 31.02 is exceptionally high, indicating that the boat is very responsive in light air and can quickly become fully powered up in as little as 6 knots of wind. This characteristic makes it a formidable competitor in lighter conditions, capable of pulling away from larger vessels.

The Ballast to Displacement Ratio (Bal/D) of around 0.45 suggests good stiffness and stability, allowing the boat to stand up to its rig in a breeze. This, combined with a remarkably low Displacement to Length Ratio (D/L) of approximately 72.24, firmly places the Henderson 30 in the lightweight, performance-oriented sportboat category, highlighting its lean, racing pedigree.

Anecdotal reports from owners consistently praise its speed and exhilarating nature. It is described as "very quick in light stuff" and a "blast when it is blowing," although managing it in heavier conditions requires a skilled crew. Sailors note its "extremely well balanced rudder," contributing to its responsive handling. Despite its high-performance nature, advancements in deck layouts and sail-handling systems have made boats like the Henderson 30 increasingly user-friendly.

Accommodations and Layout

Consistent with its design as a dedicated racing sportboat, the Henderson 30 offers minimal interior accommodations, often described as having a "much more dinghy feel" and "bare" compared to boats with more cruiser-racer aspirations. While specific interior layouts are not extensively detailed in general reviews, the focus is clearly on the spacious, "large comfortable cockpit" which facilitates efficient crew work during races. The interior serves basic functions, prioritizing weight savings and structural integrity over creature comforts. Therefore, potential owners should anticipate a utilitarian and performance-driven internal arrangement rather than an extensive cruising setup.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Henderson 30 consistently commend its robust construction and enduring quality, with some reporting "no major problems" even after extensive offshore sailing. The boat's primary strength lies in its speed and exhilarating sailing performance, especially its ability to perform exceptionally well in light wind conditions. The "extremely well balanced rudder" is frequently cited as a positive handling characteristic.

However, as a high-performance racing machine, owners acknowledge that the Henderson 30 demands a "large knowledge base on performance sailing, boat prep & maintenance." It requires an attentive crew to manage effectively, particularly in stronger winds, and the associated "sail inventory cost" can be considerable. Despite these demands, the consensus among owners points to a highly rewarding sailing experience for those seeking a competitive and fast sportboat.