Babe had a notable ocean-racing career in the 1930s as Design No. 97. In his final years, Stephens revisited the design with plans to build an updated version. He envisioned a wooden yacht, but after his death the firm carried the project forward as a fiberglass production model. The present-day S&S team updated Babe to contemporary standards and styling while preserving the original’s slender-hulled character.
Design Lineage and Hull Form
The S&S 30 stays remarkably close to the 1935 concept while modernizing its underlying design. Babe had a purposeful plumb bow, maximum waterline length, and generous sail area—hallmarks of a classic Stephens design. The new boat retains the narrow 8-foot-3-inch beam and tiller steering.
Sailing World’s judges described the hull as “narrow and slippery.” The original boat’s full keel has been replaced by a dynamic 5-foot-6-inch fin with a ballast bulb, paired with a deep, separate, high-aspect rudder. The S&S 30 measures 30 feet 6 inches overall, with a 27-foot-6-inch waterline. Its specified displacement is 5,640 pounds, including 2,400 pounds of lead in the keel, for a 43 percent ballast ratio. The result is a boat that’s light on its lines yet firmly planted.
Construction
The old custom yacht’s wooden hull and deck gave way to a modern laminate of E-glass and vinylester around a Divinycell foam core. C&C Fiberglass Components—the shop behind the J/70—builds the boat.
Sailing World’s judges found the finish quality and overall construction very good. The resulting lightweight materials keep displacement down to 5,800 pounds despite the boat’s volume. This is a fiberglass production daysailer with a traditional touch at the stern, not a one-off revival.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The S&S 30 carries a high-aspect sail plan that complements its slender hull. Under full sail, the boat leans on its waterlines and climbs gracefully upwind. During a test sail in just 8 to 10 knots of breeze, it registered upwind speeds of more than 7.5 knots. Testers also found that it tacked with the carving action of a ski and showed great maneuverability.
A top-down furling spinnaker, tacked to the stem, did wonders for downwind performance. It could be handled from the expansive cockpit, kept wet sails out of the interior, and made the boat manageable even when sailed singlehanded. With 460 square feet of sail and a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 23.2, the rig is quick without being overwhelming for a three- to four-person racing crew.
Cockpit and Accommodations
Although billed as a dedicated daysailer, the judges considered the S&S 30 much more than that. It can serve as a weekender and beer-can racer, with an estimated PHRF rating of 100.
The designers didn’t sacrifice the long cockpit to gain interior volume. Belowdecks, the arrangement is minimalist but efficient. There’s no galley or refrigeration, but the cabin has long settees, a proper enclosed head with folding frosted-Lexan doors, and an amazing amount of volume for its narrow beam.
An extra-long companionway and dodger arrangement lets a person stand inside and look out. With no extra gear cluttering the boat, the cabin feels clean and open.
Verdict
The Sparkman & Stephens 30 is an unusual combination: a daysailer with genuine racing pedigree and a usable cabin. It draws on one of Olin Stephens’ favorite designs while employing modern foam-core fiberglass construction.
The boat is quick upwind, nimble through turns, and forgiving downwind with the right furler. Its narrow beam and minimalist interior, however, mean it isn’t a true cruiser. For a sailor seeking a responsive, attractive 30-footer with weekending potential, it’s a considered choice.
Pros
- Slender, slippery hull descended from a favorite 1935 Stephens design
- Lightweight foam-core construction with very good finish quality
- Upwind speeds above 7.5 knots in 8 to 10 knots of breeze
- Carving maneuverability through tacks
- Cockpit-handled, top-down furling spinnaker that makes short-handed sailing manageable
- Surprising interior volume and an enclosed head despite the lack of a galley
Cons
- Narrow 8-foot-3-inch beam limits accommodations and storage
- No galley or refrigeration below
- Better suited to daysailing and weekending than true cruising
- Tiller steering and a minimalist approach won’t suit every buyer
