Lapworth conceived the boat specifically as an IOR three-quarter-ton racer while retaining the ability to cruise along the coast. That combination reflects his established dual-purpose approach.
Design and Construction
The Cal 3-30 measures 30.07 feet overall and 26.31 feet on the waterline, with a beam of 10.17 feet. She displaces 10,500 pounds and carries 5,000 pounds of lead ballast in a fixed fin keel, paired with a spade rudder.
The solid fiberglass hull and deck reflect Cal’s straightforward construction methods. The substantial lead ballast gives the boat a firm footing for a 30-footer. Although purpose-built as a three-quarter-ton IOR racer, the same Lapworth lines that earned her champion status also preserved her coastal-cruising credentials.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The Cal 3-30 has a masthead sloop rig, with an I dimension of 41.50 feet, J of 13.50 feet, P of 34.14, and E of 11.38. These dimensions produce a 198.54-square-foot mainsail and a 270.92-square-foot working jib.
Owners could use genoas up to 150 percent LP, with an area of 419.81 square feet, or spinnakers of up to 856 square feet for downwind sailing. A sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 15.81 reflects the boat’s performance emphasis.
Sailboat Data & Sail Specifications noted her focus on club racing under PHRF, with a typical rating near 180 to 192, and credited her with responsive handling and seaworthiness suitable for small crews or families. EL TIGRE II raced completely stock, without modifications, indicating that Lapworth’s standard package was already competitive.
Accommodations and Auxiliary Power
Below deck, the Cal 3-30 featured a luxurious, hand-finished teak cruising interior—a deliberate counterpoint to her race-ready deck plan. The teak joinery and finished cabin details set her apart from the bare-bones-racer stereotype, allowing her to serve at both the starting line and the anchorage without a refit.
The gasoline Atomic 4 limits modern diesel expectations.
Verdict
The Cal 3-30 is a compact Lapworth cruiser-racer that punches above her size in club competition while remaining a usable coastal cruiser. Her solid fiberglass construction, lead-ballasted fin keel, and responsive helm make her a credible used-classic candidate, though finding one may require patience because relatively few were built. The hand-finished teak interior is a genuine upgrade over many of her early-1970s peers.
Pros
- IOR three-quarter-ton Lapworth design, race-proven in stock form by EL TIGRE II
- Solid fiberglass hull and deck
- Lead-ballasted fin keel
- Responsive handling, a PHRF racing focus, and seaworthiness suitable for small crews or families
- Hand-finished teak cruising interior
Cons
- Only about 100–200 built from 1973 to 1974, making the model relatively rare
- Gasoline Atomic 4 falls short of modern diesel expectations
