Seadog 30

The Seadog 30 is a 9.14 metre (30.0 ft) fiberglass monohull sailboat designed by Reg Freeman. Rigged as a masthead ketch, with a bilge keel, or deep keel, and a balanced rudder. The Seadog 30 was launched in 1967 and early boats proved to be very successful long-distance cruisers.^[2][3]

The boat was designed by Reg Freeman by Reg Freemen (Yachts) of Southampton Ltd. Seadog 30 was first marketed in 1966 as “a completely new conception of the motorsailer type”.^[4] Before designing the Seadog 30, Reg did design as Seadog 27 and afterwards a Seadog 32, both were very similar to the Seadog 30, but was never constructed.

Reg Freeman was a British naval architect who designed various types of boats, including the Seadog 30 ketch and the Fowey River Class dinghy.^[5] Born in 1910, he started his career as a draughtsman working for the Royal Navy. He later worked for several yacht builders and brokers, such as Camper and Nicholsons, Moody's, and Hillyards. He also designed some of the early Hallberg-Rassy yachts, such as the Rasmus 35 and the Monsun 31.

He had an office in Lymington where he designed and insured yachts. He was known for his innovative and versatile designs, which ranged from motorboats to sailing yachts, and from small cruisers to large ocean racers. He also had a keen interest in traditional wooden boats and classic yachts, and wrote several books and articles on the subject. He was a founding member of the Old Gaffers Association in 1963, founder of the Cargreen Yacht Club in 1972,^[6] first President of the Seadog Owners Association in 1975^[7] and a long-time supporter of the National Maritime Museum. Later in life he moved to Cargreen, near Saltash, on the River Tamar. He died in 1999 at the age of 89.^[8]

A Seadog Bilge Keel yacht is referred to as its Hull number followed by (B) for Bilge Keel. A Seadog hull fitted with two bilge keels that contains 26 gal fresh water tank. Between the two bilge keel the long keel with an inbuilt balanced rudder sits, it contained fixed ballast of 4,145 lb (1,880 kg). This allows the vessel to remain upright whilst aground. All other parameter of the vessel are the same as the Deep Keel Variety.

A Seadog Deep Keel yacht is referred to as its Hull number followed by (D) for Deep Keel. A Deep Keel Seadog is the same but without the two bilge keels, the fresh water tanks are placed elsewhere on the vessel. The long keel has an inbuilt balanced rudder at the stern, the keel contains fixed ballast of 4,145 lb (1,880 kg).This type of keel does not allow the vessel to remain upright whilst aground. All other parameter of the vessel are the same as the Bilge Keel Variety. There was only 27 of the 140 Deep Keel vessels produced, these generally where constructed later in the 8 year production run.^[8]

The boat was built by Kemp & Pitt of Woolston Ltd. in Southampton, United Kingdom and Glascade GRP Ltd.^[9] and the final Seadogs were produced by J. G. Meakes & Co. before the moulds were moved to Holland.^[10] Production began in 1966 with the first of the class completed in 1967. The last Seadog 90 to be produced was in 1974 Hull number 140. The Seadog 30 it is now out of production. The company built 140 examples of the design during its 8-year production run.^[1]

Founded in 1975 by many owners of the Seadog 30. The first President of the association was the designer of the Seadog 30 Mr Reg Freeman ARINA.^[7] The association continues today to promote the Seadog 30 and to bring together like-minded sailors with the same boat. Membership is open to people that do not own a Seadog 30, referred to as 'Non Seadog Owners'.^[1] The Association continues to be very active both on social media and in person, holding a Summer and Winter Rally at marina's across the United Kingdom.

• List of sailing boat types

• Seadog Owners Association Official Web Site
• Original Sale Brochure