Kirie Elite 30S

2sheets · #1 (**permalink**) 03-08-2002

What can anyone tell me about these boats. They are extemely light, are they well built?

paulk · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2002

I have always been impressed with Kirie as being better put together than Beneteau and engineered more solidly. The parts tend to stay attached to each other and not flex as much. The gelcoat, even in older boats, tends to look good and to hold up well. The Elite 30 is VERY light. She feels like a dinghy when you step aboard, and will obviously be sensitive to weight placement, whether cruising or racing. Though I haven''t been out sailing on one, there is enough sail area to move her along, and the spars, look like they''re well thought out and sized appropirately. Below, the aft quarter cabin and head are snug fits, but this is a 30'' boat, not 40''. The galley and nav table have what''s needed, and though the cabinetry is light, it isn''t flimsy. The open, "U shaped" saloon is quite comfortable. Check the V-berth to make sure it''s big enough for whoever plans to sleep there. Since they''re less well-known than Beneteau (though I believe Beneteau now owns Kirie), they can be a good bargain for a nice boat.

kimokarl · #3 (**permalink**) 05-06-2002

do you know if the boat was originally a tiller or did it have a wheel option?

Jeff_H · #4 (**permalink**) 05-07-2002

I believe that the Elite 30''s could be purchased either way. The one I sailed on had a wheel.

Jeff

kindsail · #5 (**permalink**) 11-26-2010

Hello, we are in the process of purchasing an Elite 30 and can't wait to get her moved to our lake!! Dec. 16 weather permitting. We are very happy w/ our choice and excited to sail her.

MARC2012 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-27-2010

Gee never heard of these & two in one day.Welcome.marc

kindsail · #7 (**permalink**) 11-27-2010

Hello Marc, Seems I drummed up a very old thread on here.haha I joined the community here hoping to find some fellow Kirie owners and make some new online friends! Hard to find info on our Elite 30. I was able to find a manual download for the Volvo Penta 9hp motor, but would love to know more about the rest of the boat as well. Guess it might be time to contact Bennateau and see what they have laying around from the buyout!

MARC2012 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-27-2010

Hadn't realized old thread.You might try on cruisers forum,one member"GORD MAY"(sp?) ,is able to find almost anything.Good luck.marc

Sanduskysailor · #9 (**permalink**) 11-27-2010

I've sailed more than a few races on an Elite 30s. Boat was a good performer but with some caveats. Boat I sailed and drove had a tiller. Cockpit was incredibly small when tacking since you needed to have the main trimmer in cockpit to manage the main and traveler located on the bridge deck. Harken windward sheeting car helped but the headsail trimmer and main trimmer would collide on tacks. Boat is a bit under ballasted. It will perform well with 6 crew which are required to hold the boat down when winds are over 12 knots and flying a 155%. The KE 30 has flat under body sections and will pound in steep chop.

Since you will be sailing in Oklahoma (Thunderbird?) a lot of these issues won't matter. Boat is pretty good in light air. I would imagine steep chop is probably not much of a problem in Oklahoma. Interior holds up pretty well. Watch out for alignment problems on drive shaft which were an ongoing problem on my friends boat. Unfortunately he passed a couple of years ago and I have lost track of the boat. Oh yeah, one thing I forgot. Boat will auto tack in gusts and roundup easily on spinnaker reaches. If you feel a significant gust coming on rapidly pump the tiller a couple of times to keep flow attached on the rudder to maintain control.

Go Sooners, beat the "pokes" in Bedlam tonight.

MARC2012 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-27-2010

There is a yahoo group but looks out of date.marc