The origins of the Portsmouth 30 go back to 1978 when the late Royal Lowell (perhaps the best-known designer of Downeast boats) drew the lines for the Sisu 30, an inboard fisherman with a reputation for seaworthy and dependable operation. Sisu went out of business in 1987, and the molds were acquired by Portsmouth. Built on a semi-displacement hull with a deep, prop-protecting keel, the Portsmouth hulls are balsa cored, and the boats are turned out on a semi-production basis in New Hampshire. There are several versions of the Portsmouth 30 including sportfisherman, hardtop, and commercial workboat models; however, the Cruiser (pictured above) has been the most popular to date. A galley-up and galley-down floorplan are available (both with a single stateroom), and the traditional teak interior woodwork is very appealing. Outside, the cockpit is large enough for some serious fishing, and the side decks are protected by high railings. A good-looking boat, a single 250hp Cummins diesel will cruise the Portsmouth 30 at 16 knots (about 19 knots top).