Soverel 30 (1969) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Soverel 30 (1969) was produced by Soverel Marine from 1969 until 1973. Bill Soverel, a former US Navy pilot and a successful sailboat racer, founded Soverel Marine with a clear vision: to produce yachts that excelled on the racecourse while offering a high level of craftsmanship. The 1969 Soverel 30, designed by Bill Soverel and Walt Walters, emerged as an extended version of the earlier Soverel 28., 5]

A hallmark of Soverel Marine during this period was its willingness to offer semi-customization, allowing buyers significant input on aspects such as hull layup, interior configurations, deck construction, tankage, and rigging details. This flexibility meant that each Soverel 30 could possess unique characteristics tailored to individual owner preferences., 11, 12] It is important to distinguish this original 1969 model, a masthead sloop, from later iterations such as the Soverel 30 Mk II-III (an updated version, sometimes cutter-rigged, produced from 1974) and a completely different 1979 Soverel 30 designed by Bill's son, Mark Soverel.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Soverel 30 (1969) was designed to offer a balanced and capable sailing experience. With a Sail Area to Displacement ratio of approximately 16.30, she is positioned as a reasonably good performer across a range of wind conditions, demonstrating a capability beyond that of a heavy cruiser without being an extreme light-air specialist. Her Ballast to Displacement ratio of 0.444 (44.4%) is quite high, indicating significant stiffness and stability, allowing the boat to stand up well to a breeze and providing a comfortable motion in a seaway.

Further underscoring its design philosophy, the Displacement to Length ratio of approximately 228.6 places the Soverel 30 in the medium-displacement category. This suggests a boat that strikes a balance between agility and seaworthiness, performing more sprightly than a heavy, traditional cruiser, yet not as light as a pure racer. A notable feature of the Soverel 30 is its keel/centerboard hull type, which allows for a variable draft. This design offers practical advantages, enabling navigation in shallower waters with the board up, while providing deeper draft and enhanced upwind performance when the centerboard is deployed offshore. Owners generally describe Soverel boats from this era as fast and easy to handle.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific interior details for the 1969 Soverel 30 can vary due to the builder's semi-custom approach, certain general characteristics define its accommodations. The boat is equipped with a generous water capacity of 55 gallons, supporting extended periods away from the dock. Reviews of later Soverel 30 models suggest a "workable interior (albeit a little Spartan)," which likely reflects the builder's emphasis on performance over opulent luxury in the earlier designs as well. Given the semi-custom nature, individual vessels might feature different layouts for the V-berth, head, salon, and galley areas, utilizing solid fiberglass hull construction with various deck coring options. The overall finish typically aligns with the quality construction ethos of Soverel Marine.