Design and Construction
Gary Mull’s 30-foot design pairs a conventional fin keel with a transom-hung rudder, a layout that places the steering authority at the stern where it can be felt directly. The hull is built predominantly of fibreglass, while the deck is a plywood structure sheathed in the same composite skin has a plywood deck. With a beam of just under 9.5 feet and a loaded displacement near 10,080 pounds, the boat carries 5,340 pounds of lead ballast—better than half the total weight—which gives the Chico a ballast-to-displacement ratio approaching 53 percent. A waterline length of 27 feet keeps the hull speed around 7 knots. These are the bones of a stiff, manageable coastal boat rather than a lightweight planing machine.
Rig and Handling
The Chico 30 is rigged as a masthead sloop, the standard arrangement for a boat of this size in its era, and the sail plan drives roughly 431 square feet of canvas. The transom-hung rudder and fin keel combination, together with the modest beam, make for a boat that answers the helm without drama. A crew of two tells you this was conceived as a couple’s boat or a shorthanded racer-cruiser rather than a family weekender with berths for a crowd.
Accommodations
The two-person crew figure and the 30.5-foot overall length with a 9.5-foot beam suggest a snug cabin tailored to a pair. The design prioritized sailing ability and a low production count over expansive belowdecks real estate.
The Verdict
The Chico 30 is a small, now-out-of-production keelboat from a limited New Zealand build of 70 hulls, designed by Gary Mull and built by Keith Eade. Its fibreglass hull with a plywood-cored deck, fin keel, and transom-hung rudder describe a straightforward 1970s performance cruiser meant for two. The scarcity of the design means any surviving example is a niche find rather than a common club racer.
Pros
- Gary Mull design with a clear performance-cruiser pedigree
- Lead-ballast fin-keel hull with a stiff 53 percent ballast ratio
- Simple masthead sloop rig suited to a two-person crew
Cons
- Only 70 built, so spares and fleet knowledge are thin
- Plywood deck invites long-term moisture concerns versus solid-glass construction
- Limited accommodation scope by virtue of the two-crew conception
