Engineering:Buccaneer (dinghy)
 Class symbol | |
 Buccaneer Line Drawing | |
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Rod Macalpine-Downie and Dick Gibbs |
| Year | 1966 |
| Boat | |
| Crew | 2-3 |
| Draft | 3 ft. 10 in. |
| Hull | |
| Hull weight | 500 lb (230 kg) |
| LOA | 18 ft (5.5 m) |
| LWL | 16 ft. 8 in. |
| Beam | 6 ft (1.8 m) |
| Sails | |
| Spinnaker area | 178 sq ft (16.5 m2) |
| Upwind sail area | 175 sq ft (16.3 m2) |
| Racing | |
| D-PN | 87.0 |
The Buccaneer (a.k.a. Buccaneer 18) is a day sailer for pleasure sailing as well as racing; it is sailed throughout North America.
Designed in 1966 by Rod Macalpine-Downie and Dick Gibbs, the Buccaneer incorporates classic elements that have made this racing dinghy a consistent performer for more than 35 years.
Due to its hull design, the Buccaneer planes in 8-10 knots of wind. An integrated spinnaker launch tube, roller furling jib, and well-constructed sailplan, 7'3" cockpit with non-skid seats, deck and floor make it a good two-handed racing dinghy. Well balanced and easily handled, the Buccaneer continues to appeal to both seasoned competitors and new sailors.
Weighing 500 pounds, the Buccaneer requires a trailer and winch to be launched. A comfortable cockpit arrangement and simple rigging round out the Buccaneer's design, make it a good day sailer for the 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 87.0
- Y-Flyer 86.9
- 505 80.2
- Finn 90.5
- Flying Dutchman 80.2
- Laser 91.2
- Sonar 81
- Santana 20 91.3
- J/24 81.1
- JY 15 91.6
- J-22 82.2
- Coronado 15 91.8
- Thistle 83
- Snipe 92.8
- Star 83.2
- Lightning 88
- M-20 Scow 84.1
- MC Scow 89.4
- Highlander 84.6
- M-16 Scow 89.8
- Johnson 18 85.7
- Flying Scot 90.4
Portsmouth yardstick explanation
Design History
The Buccaneer 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
- Nickels Boat Works - the official Buccaneer boat builder
- Buccaneer Class Association official website for news, regattas, membership, questions, boat information, etc.
 |
