The Jeanneau Sun Light 30 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Jeanneau Sun Light 30, a light displacement masthead sloop, was designed by Daniel Andrieu and built in France by Jeanneau.

A Jeanneau Sun Light 30

Published Specification for the Jeanneau Sun Light 30

Underwater Profile: Fin keel & semi-balanced rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 30'0" (9.2m)

Waterline Length: 25'3" (7.7m)

Beam: 10'7" (3.2m)

Draft: 5'11" (1.8m)*

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 6,834lb (3,100kg)

Ballast: 2,650lb (1,202kg)

Designer: Daniel Andrieu

Builder: Jeanneau (France)

Year First Built: 1986

* Shoal draft version available - 4'9" (1.4m)

Design Ratios: The Key Performance Indicators

The performance of a sailboat can be estimated with the help of a number of ratios.

The Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (SA/D) of the Jeanneau Sun Light 30 is around 16.5, which indicates an average performance. It suggests a reasonable balance of speed and comfort for the average cruising sailor.

The Ballast/Displacement Ratio of the Jeanneau Sun Light 30 is roughly 45%, a figure that indicates an excellent righting moment or resistance to heel over in high winds or heavy seas. This feature makes it a safe and stable boat to sail.

With a Displacement/Length Ratio (D/L) of approximately 180, the Jeanneau Sun Light 30 is moderately light. It signifies a good balance between speed and comfort and denotes the boat's light-cruising ability.

The Comfort Ratio of the Sun Light 30 borders the 20s, indicating that the boat is capable of delivering comfortable and safe ocean passages. It is not easily knocked around by waves and has good motion comfort at sea.

The Capsize Screening Formula for the Jeanneau Sun Light 30 lies under 2.0, highlighting the boat's safety at sea and its resistance to capsize.

These technical ratios suggest that the Jeanneau Sun Light 30 is a balanced, well-rounded sailboat. It performs reliably in a wide range of conditions, making it an excellent choice for both relaxed cruising and ambitious sailing.

More about these key performance indicators...

Interior Layout

Exploring the interior of the Jeanneau Sun Light 30, it boasts a standard layout featuring two separate cabins, a well-equipped galley, and a spacious saloon. The forward cabin hosts a double V-berth, ideal for a couple.

The second cabin, located at the stern, provides additional sleeping quarters. The saloon offers a cosy sitting area that can also be converted into additional sleeping spaces if needed.

The U-shaped galley is designed with practicality in mind. It includes a gas cooker, an icebox, and plenty of storage space. The compact yet functional navigation station rounds out the living spaces, making it a great live-aboard option or a weekend cruiser.

The essential eBook for potential boat buyers...

On Deck

Exploring the exterior, the Jeanneau Sun Light 30 displays an excellent deck layout, fostered by Jeanneau's commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail. You'll find wide and uncluttered side decks, vital for secure movement around the boat.

The cockpit is sizeable and well set up for short-handed sailing. It also provides a pleasant space for relaxing when at anchor. The rigging offers a single spreader sloop rig, with all lines led aft for easy handling.

In a Nutshell

The Jeanneau Sun Light 30 is a well-constructed, elegantly designed sailboat that offers both comfort and performance. Created by the renowned French shipyard, Jeanneau, it features a sleek, modern aesthetic with an emphasis on ergonomic design to ensure ease of use.

The Sun Light 30 measures approximately 30 feet in length, providing a compact but ample space for a smaller crew. Despite its size, it doesn't compromise on features or functionality. It's equipped with a high-performance hull and rigging design, allowing it to handle a wide range of sea conditions with impressive speed and agility.

Inside the cabin, the Sun Light 30 offers an intelligent layout, ensuring optimal use of space. It includes a series of thoughtful amenities such as a cozy main saloon, a functional galley, a navigation station, and comfortable sleeping quarters. The interior is adorned with high-quality material and craftsmanship, prevalent in all aspects from upholstery to woodwork. These features make it both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly.

A distinct feature of the Sun Light 30 is its focus on safety. It comes with a robust set of safety equipment, including lifelines, solid handrails, and more. Deep bulwarks and wide-sided decks not only add to its safety but also ensure ease of movement around the boat. Its high-quality construction, using the best materials and technologies, further reinforces its safety features.

In a nutshell, the Jeanneau Sun Light 30 is a versatile, high-quality, and user-friendly sailboat. Capable of ensuring enjoyable sailing trips, it's ideal for both beginners and experienced sailors. Whether it's for a weekend getaway or a long-distance sailing trip, the Sun Light 30 continues to live up to its reputation for delivering maximum comfort and an exceptional sailing experience.

A Few FAQs for the Jeanneau Sun Light 30

How many people can sleep on board a Jeanneau Sun Light 30?

The Sun Light 30 has sleeping accommodation for six people. It has a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin, two straight settees in the main cabin or an optional "U" settee, and an aft cabin with a double berth on the port side.

Is the Sun Light 30 still in production and, if not, when did production end and how many of these sailboats were built?

The Sun Light 30 is no longer in production. It was built by Jeanneau in France from 1986 until 1991, with a total of 932 boats completed.

What, if any, alternative versions of the Sun Light 30 were built and what are the differences between them?

The Sun Light 30 was built in three versions: fin keel, shoal draft keel, and centreboard. The fin keel model displaces 6,834 lb (3,100 kg) and carries 2,601 lb (1,180 kg) of lead ballast. The shoal draft keel model displaces 6,834 lb (3,100 kg) and carries 2,601 lb (1,180 kg) of cast iron ballast. The centreboard version displaces 7,055 lb (3,200 kg) and carries 2,832 lb (1,285 kg) of exterior cast iron ballast with the centreboard made from steel.

I wrote this article using GPT-4, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model, as a research assistant to develop source material. I wrote the final draft in its entirety and believe it to be accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Dick McClary, creator and owner of sailboat-cruising.com