The well-sailing Omega 30 is a good and reliable cruising yacht of excellent quality, and a strong candidate for a family’s first boat. At the same time, it is a competitive choice for new sailors interested in club racing. The Omega 30 sails with fine balance on the helm and is easy to steer and maneuver. It was originally equipped with a self-tacking jib.
The boat was designed in 1982 by the Irishman Ron Holland, one of the most renowned yacht designers of his time, and it quickly became popular. From 1983 to 1987, about 300 boats were built.
The Omega 30 exists in two versions, where the original A-version has a large galley to starboard. This left room for only a half berth on the same side. On the other hand, the port berth can easily be converted into a double berth. The A-model features an aft cabin with two single berths and its own entrance from the cockpit.
The later S-model has a larger saloon with an extended coachroof and a large, modern longitudinal galley. Aft there are two quarter berths, but no entrance from the cockpit. This model also has larger storage compartments aft.
The boat shown here is offered by Kronborg Marine for DKK 270,000. It is a well-maintained and very well-equipped S-model from 1984 with a 15 hp Yanmar engine. The boat includes, for example, all conceivable electronics.
Five Omega 30s have valid DH certificates with GPH ratings between 653.8 and 633.2. The Swedish Omega 30 owners’ association was dissolved this year, but the club’s website with useful information and a “tips bank” still exists at www.omega30.se
1 | The Omega 30 S is steered with a tiller and has a traditional cockpit with an aft bench and a wide mainsheet traveler, providing good control of the mainsail.
2 | The S-model features a gently U-shaped settee to port and a slightly angled saloon table, making the best possible use of space and table area.
3 | The longitudinal galley is one of the largest to be found on any 30-foot cruising yacht. Aft of the galley, a corner of the chart table can be seen.
Vindö
The Omega 30 was commissioned by the Swedish yard Familjebåtar AB, but most Omega 30s were produced by the highly regarded Vindö yard, best known for their Vindö yachts with mahogany coachroofs. Unfortunately, Vindö was among several Swedish boatyards that did not survive the severe financial crisis in Sweden during the 1980s.
Both yards delivered high-quality craftsmanship and also enjoyed great success with the larger sister model, the Omega 34. The slimmer Omega 42, designed by Peter Norlin, was also built at Vindö, while the Omega 36 was produced by Brdr. Börjeson.
The Vindö yard was founded in 1926 and was originally called Nötesund Yard. The name was changed to Vindö after the first bankruptcy in 1980, and in 1989 it closed down for good.