- Buccaneer 18
The Buccaneer 18 is a
day sailer for pleasure sailing as well as racing; it is sailed throughoutNorth America .Designed in 1966 by Rod Macalpine-Downie and DickGibbs, the Buccaneer 18 incorporates classic elements thathave made this racing dinghy a consistent performer formore than 35 years.
Due to its hull design, the Buccaneer planes in 8-10 knots of wind. Anintegrated spinnaker launch tube, roller furling jib, andwell-constructed sailplan, 7'3" cockpit with non-skid seats, deck and floor make it a goodtwo-handed racing dinghy. Well balanced and easily handled, theBuccaneer continues to appeal to both seasonedcompetitors and new sailors.
Weighing 500 pounds, the Buccaneer requires a trailer and winch to be launched. Acomfortable cockpit arrangement and simple rigging roundout the Buccaneer's design, make it a good day sailer forthe family.
Features
*It's a "sit in" rather than a "sit on" boat.
*The sloop design includes a spinnaker with launch tube.
*The waterline is as nearly symmetrically heeled as possible, eliminating much of the weather helm caused by heeling.
*The wide beam at the waterline plane eliminates the need for a trapeze.
*The boat's potential performance exceeds that of any non-trapeze design so that it is capable of handsomely rewarding the skills of the helmsman and crew.Portsmouth Comparisons
"Buccaneer 18 87.0"Y-Flyer 86.9505 80.2Finn 90.5Flying Dutchman 80.2Laser 91.2Sonar 81Santana 20 91.3J/24 81.1JY 15 91.6J-22 82.2Coronado 15 91.8Thistle 83Snipe 92.8Star 83.2Lightning 88M-20 Scow 84.1MC Scow 89.4Highlander 84.6M-16 Scow 89.8Johnson 18 85.7Flying Scot 90.4
Portsmouth yardstick explanationDesign History
The Buccaneer 18 was designed in 1966 and introduced to the sailing world 1967 at Yachting Magazine's "One of a Kind" Regatta, where it placed second behind a Thistle.
Production History
Chrysler Corporation - 1968 through 1980, hull #1 through approx. #4050. (Just over 4000 boats built).Texas Marine International (TMI) - 1981 through 1982, hull approx. #4051 through approx. #4750. (Around 700 boats built).Wellcraft Marine Corporation, Starwind Division - 1982 through 1984, hull approx. #4751 through approx. #5000. (Approx. 250 boats built).Gloucester Yachts - 1985 through 1986, hull #5001 through #5059. (59 boats built).Cardinal Yachts - 1987 through 2003, hull #5060 through #5065, #5100 through #5106 and #5200 through #5215. (29 boats built).Nickels Boat Works – 2003 through present, hull #5216 onwards. Still under production.
External links
* [http://www.nickelsboats.com/ Nickels Boat Works - the official Buccaneer 18 boat builder]
* [http://www.buccaneer18.org Buccaneer 18 Class Association official website for news, regattas, boats for sale, etc.]
* [http://www.buccaneer18.org/bucc_forsale.shtml Used boats for sale]
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