Glen-L 30 serge

Description

The Glen-L 30 Serge, a refined evolution of Glen L. Witt's seminal 1963 Glen-L 30 auxiliary sloop introduced in the mid-1970s by Glen-L Marine Designs, incorporates builder-specified modifications to the original plywood/epoxy construction—often including a "Serge" variant's narrower beam and lighter scantlings for enhanced performance—tailored for ambitious amateur builders pursuing faster coastal or high-latitude cruising without sacrificing seaworthiness. Retaining the core dimensions of 30 feet LOA (28' LWL), but with a slimmer 8-foot beam (vs. 8'10" standard) for reduced drag and improved manners in tight quarters, it maintains the 4-foot draft on a full keel with 10,500 pounds displacement (adjustable ballast down to 3,500 lbs. for the Serge's lighter ethos) and a masthead sloop rig hoisting 435 square feet of sail (SA/D ~17, D/L ~250 for sprightlier handling, hull speed 6.9 knots with planning potential in puffs). The Serge adaptation emphasizes stitch-and-glue marine plywood (¼"–⅜" planking over simplified stringers, fully sheathed in Xynole or fiberglass/epoxy) to shave build time to 1,000–1,200 hours, featuring a self-draining cockpit, kick-up rudder option, and interior tweaks like a centerline berth for solo sailors alongside the standard V-berth, saloon settees, U-galley, and quarter berth (sleeping 4–5 under 6' headroom). Powered by a compact Yanmar 2GM20 diesel (18 hp, 6-knot motoring) or outboard in a well, it earned stripes for Arctic expeditions and Transpac races in owner hands, with ~10–15 Serge-specific completions amid the broader 50–70 Glen-L 30 fleet.