History and Design
Production of the Plas Trend 30-1 commenced in 1968, marking its debut as one of the early offerings from Plastrend, a company founded by passionate sailor Andy Green in Fort Worth, Texas. Plastrend, which later evolved into Composite Technologies and then Island Yacht Corp., quickly established a reputation for building fast and tough sailboats through innovative composite construction. Builder Article The company's collaboration with top naval architects, particularly Britton Chance Jr., was a cornerstone of its design philosophy. Chance, a prodigious yacht designer renowned for his work on numerous high-speed yachts and even America's Cup contenders, brought his expertise in creating efficient hulls to the Plas Trend 30-1. 1, 5, 7, 8, Builder Article
While specific design goals for the PT-30-1 emphasize performance, its hull form, featuring a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, was characteristic of the performance-oriented designs of its time. The PT-30-1 is often considered the "Mk I" of the Plas Trend 30 line. Shortly after its introduction, Plastrend launched the PT-30-2 (Plas Trend 30-2) around 1970, which featured a deeper rudder, primarily intended to enhance handling characteristics. This evolution suggests a continuous refinement process, with the original PT-30-1 laying the groundwork for subsequent improvements in the series.
Sailing Performance and Handling
The Plas Trend 30-1, with its specifications, points to a vessel designed for a lively sailing experience. With a total calculated sail area of 465.78 square feet and a displacement of 10,000 pounds, it achieves a Sail Area to Displacement ratio of approximately 16.06. This moderate ratio indicates a boat that should perform competently across a range of wind conditions, offering a good balance between light-air capability and control in stronger breezes. Its generous sail plan is noted to deliver excellent light-air performance.
The vessel's stability is further underscored by a high Ballast to Displacement ratio of 0.53 (5,300 lbs of lead ballast in a 10,000 lb displacement). This substantial ballast ratio suggests a stiff boat capable of standing up to a significant amount of wind, contributing to a comfortable motion in a seaway and a strong ability to carry sail. The Displacement to Length ratio, calculated at 277.31, places it in the moderate to slightly heavier displacement category for a 30-footer. This figure reflects a solid build without being excessively heavy, striking a balance between robust construction and performance. The hull type, a fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder, aims for a blend of maneuverability and directional stability. The subsequent PT-30-2's deeper rudder suggests that while the PT-30-1 was capable, the builder sought to further optimize its responsiveness.
Accommodations and Layout
Information regarding the precise interior layout of the Plas Trend 30-1 is not extensively documented. However, boats of this size and era typically featured a conventional layout to maximize utility within a 30-foot hull. Common arrangements would include a V-berth forward, a main salon with opposing settees or a dinette, a small galley, and an enclosed head. For the slightly later PT-30 Mk II, general descriptions mention one cabin and a galley. Given Plastrend's focus on performance, the interior would likely have been functional and robust, utilizing fiberglass for structural components with wood trim for aesthetic warmth, a common practice in performance-oriented fiberglass yachts of the period. Storage would likely be adequate for coastal cruising and weekend trips, with ventilation provided by deck hatches and opening ports.