Yankee 30 Mk III

Description

The Yankee 30 Mk III is a classic Sparkman & Stephens-designed (S&S #1999) masthead sloop from the early 1970s, built by Yankee Yachts Inc. in Southern California (primarily 1971–1975, with a total of about 132 Yankee 30s produced across all marks). The Mk III represents the final evolution of the design—often called a 3/4-ton racer/cruiser—with enhancements for better performance and stability compared to the earlier Mk I and Mk II versions. The series evolved incrementally: Mk I (earlier hulls) had lighter displacement (~8,700 lbs) and a shorter rig; Mk II added mast height; Mk III (later hulls, roughly after hull #98 or so) incorporated a taller rig, redesigned rudder (increasing effective waterline length), extended interior features (like a longer port settee and removable dinette), and crucially, an additional ~1,000 lbs of internal ballast for improved stiffness and righting ability. This makes the Mk III the most capable and sought-after variant for mixed racing/cruising. It's a narrow-beam, fin-keel (with skeg-hung rudder) boat known for solid build quality (overbuilt in a good way—beefy rigging, through-bolted hardware), elegant lines (sweeping sheer, balanced ends, reverse transom), and versatile performance: quick in light air, stiff and seakindly in a blow, with good pointing and balanced helm. Not ultra-lightweight like modern racers, but rewarding and capable for coastal/offshore passages—many have done serious cruising and racing.