CHEETAH 30
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 30.25 ft |
| LWL | 27 ft |
| Beam | 8 ft |
| Draft | 7 ft/ 1.67 ft min |
| Displacement | 2,300 lb |
| Ballast | 1,000 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.0 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 27.58 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 10.1 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 34.58 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 12.25 ft |
| FLforestay | 10.1 ft |
| Mainsail | 368 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 139.3 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 236.8 sq ft |
About the CHEETAH 30
Retractable Keel (Original contact info.) Cheetah International 2 Benedict Place Greenwich, CT 06830
Designed by Bob Ames and built by Cheetah International, the Cheetah 30 is a rare, lightweight fractional sloop with only 7 hulls constructed between 1995 and 1996. Its ultra-light displacement of 2300.0 lb and high sail area-to-displacement ratio of 32.31 define it as a performance-oriented day sailor rather than a heavy cruiser.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal day sailors and light-air racers who prioritize speed and agility over heavy-weather comfort or long-term offshore storage. It is ideal for owners willing to perform meticulous maintenance on its lightweight construction and variable keel systems.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 2.43 and a comfort ratio of 7.96, the Cheetah 30 is not recommended for bluewater cruising due to its light displacement and narrow beam, making it better suited for protected coastal waters.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other late-90s lightweight performance sloops like the O'Day 30 or early Catalina 30s, though the Cheetah is significantly lighter and more specialized. Its fractional rig and low displacement make it more akin to high-performance trailerables than traditional cruising yachts.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(1 certificate)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.5 | 5.9 | 6.6 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.3 |
| 60° | 5.0 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| 75° | 5.3 | 6.6 | 7.1 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 8.3 | 8.6 | 8.8 |
| 90° | 5.2 | 6.6 | 7.4 | 7.9 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 9.1 | 9.6 | 10.0 |
| 110° | 4.8 | 6.3 | 7.3 | 8.1 | 8.9 | 9.4 | 9.9 | 10.8 | 11.6 |
| 120° | 4.7 | 6.2 | 7.3 | 8.1 | 8.8 | 9.7 | 10.4 | 11.6 | 12.3 |
| 135° | 4.0 | 5.6 | 6.9 | 7.9 | 9.1 | 10.2 | 11.0 | 12.7 | 14.5 |
| 150° | 3.2 | 4.7 | 5.9 | 6.8 | 7.9 | 9.0 | 10.2 | 13.6 | 16.4 |
| Beat VMG | 2.8 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Run VMG | 2.8 | 4.0 | 5.1 | 5.9 | 6.8 | 7.8 | 8.8 | 11.8 | 14.5 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the CHEETAH 30 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 30.25ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
17 reported issues across 7 systems for the CHEETAH 30, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CHEETAH 30? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 17 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your CHEETAH 30?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Yanmar — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the CHEETAH 30
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…