Design Brief & Intent
The Metalmast 30 was designed to satisfy the dual-purpose "racer-cruiser" market of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Unlike competitors of the era that compromised hull forms to maximize interior volume, Peter Canning prioritized a slippery, easily driven shape that could claw its way to windward in a heavy blow. To achieve this, the boat was built with a solid fiberglass hull and a deep, high-aspect lead fin keel.
Inside, the boat features a traditional late-1970s layout. The cabin is finished with warm teak bulkheads and a molded fiberglass headliner. The accommodations include a private V-berth forward, an enclosed head and hanging locker, and a main salon with longitudinal settees flanking a central folding table. The galley is compact and located aft, designed to be usable even when heeled. While the interior is cozy and highly functional, it is decidedly focused on offshore utility and crew placement rather than the spacious "condo" layouts of modern 30-footers.
Sailing Performance & Handling
At the helm, the Metalmast 30 displays a balanced, responsive, and almost dinghy-like feel. This is heavily driven by its sail-to-displacement (SA/Disp) ratio of 21.31, which provides a massive, easily managed sail plan under its fractional rig to power the boat through light summer air. The boat has a remarkably high ballast-to-displacement ratio of 47.69%, utilizing 3,100 pounds of lead ballast inside a 6,500-pound total displacement. This translates to exceptional stiffness, allowing the boat to carry sail longer and stand up straight in heavy weather where other 30-footers are forced to reef.
With a moderate displacement-to-length (D/L) ratio of 216.61, the hull has enough momentum to slice through chop without pounding, making it a comfortable boat in a coastal breeze. However, with a motion comfort ratio of 17.85, sailors should expect a lively, active ride in a seaway. Its capsize screening formula of 2.18 reflects its relatively wide beam and IOR-influenced deck shape. This makes it an ideal coastal racer-cruiser, though it falls outside modern standards for dedicated, long-distance blue-water voyaging.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Because Metalmast Marine was primarily a spar maker, the production run for the Metalmast 30 hull was relatively limited, making these boats rare on the brokerage market today. When they do appear, they generally command a very reasonable price compared to mainstream mass-production boats, offering exceptional value for buyers who appreciate a stiff, weatherly boat.
A unique economic advantage of the Metalmast 30 is its pedigree as a spar maker's boat. Virtually all the custom aluminum mast, boom, and spreader castings were manufactured in-house. Unlike orphaned yachts of this era whose spars are impossible to service, replacement parts, goosenecks, and masthead fittings for original Metalmast sections are still actively cataloged and supported by specialty riggers such as Rig-Rite.
Known Issues & Triage
Decades of active use have revealed a few predictable structural and mechanical issues that buyers should check:
- Deck Core Wetness: Like many boats built during this era, the deck utilizes a balsa-wood core. Water can migrate into the core through unsealed fasteners. High-wear areas around the stanchion bases, the traveler, and the mast collar should be carefully surveyed for soft spots.
- Rudder Post Play: The deep, high-performance spade rudder is highly effective but places significant leverage on the rudder tube and its internal bushings. Check for excessive lateral play or "clunking" at the helm, which indicates the bushings are worn and need replacement.
- Underpowered Auxiliary: The original model was typically fitted with an 8 HP Yanmar diesel engine. While extremely reliable, 8 HP is quite small for a boat of this size, making it underpowered when trying to punch into strong currents or head seas.
Modernization & Upgrades
Many current owners have taken to modernizing this classic racer-cruiser to suit modern comfort and cruising expectations:
- Repowering: Upgrading the underpowered 8 HP Yanmar to a modern 12 HP to 15 HP multi-cylinder diesel, or executing a clean electric propulsion conversion, is a common upgrade that greatly improves cruising safety.
- Mast Track Systems: The original tight mast gate and slide systems can be difficult to manage when raising or dropping the main. A common upgrade is the installation of a low-friction external track system, such as a Tides Marine track, which allows the high-aspect mainsail to drop effortlessly into lazy jacks.
- Electrical Upgrades: Upgrading the original 12V electrical system with a lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) house battery bank, modern marine wiring, and LED masthead fixtures is a standard modernization project for those looking to spend more time at anchor.
The Verdict
The Metalmast 30 is a robust, stiff, and exceptionally fast classic that punches far above its weight class in terms of sailing performance and structural integrity. It is highly suited for sailors who prioritize on-the-water performance, upwind weatherliness, and high-quality rigging over interior volume.
Pros:
- Extremely stiff and stable, carrying its sail area deep into heavy winds.
- World-class spar and rigging components with great long-term parts availability.
- Excellent upwind performance and agile, responsive handling at the helm.
- High-quality solid fiberglass hull construction.
Cons:
- Traditional interior layout lacks the volume and creature comforts of modern 30-footers.
- The standard 8 HP Yanmar engine is underpowered in heavy currents.
- Balsa-cored deck is vulnerable to localized soft spots if neglected.
- Rare design that can be difficult to find on the used market.
