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A Lion
Designer: Jerry And David Hubbard  ·  Builder: American Fiberglass Corp. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1967
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About the A Lion

Designed by the Hubbard brothers Jerry and David in 1967, this compact catamaran represents an early entry into the American small multihull market. American Fiberglass Corporation brought this twin-centerboard design to production during the late 1960s, capitalizing on growing interest in catamaran sailing among recreational sailors. At 18 feet overall with a 7.5-foot beam, the A Lion offers the characteristic stability and speed potential that draws sailors to multihull designs. The twin centerboard configuration provides versatility for both shallow water exploration and deeper water sailing, while the relatively light 300-pound displacement contributes to spirited performance in moderate conditions. Her Marconi cat rig keeps sail handling straightforward, making this an approachable choice for sailors transitioning from monohulls or those seeking uncomplicated catamaran sailing. With 150 square feet of sail area driving the lightweight fiberglass hulls, the A Lion delivers the quick acceleration and reduced heeling that catamaran enthusiasts appreciate. This design suits coastal cruising, day sailing, and casual racing where her SA/Displacement ratio of 53.61 suggests lively performance in light to moderate winds. The shallow 2.5-foot draft opens up skinny water venues often inaccessible to deeper-draft vessels.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
Beam 7.50 ft / 2.29 m
Max Draft 2.50 ft / 0.76 m
Min Draft 0.50 ft / 0.15 m
Displacement 300.00 lb / 136 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 150.00 ft² / 13.94 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Catamaran Twin Cbrd.
Rigging Type Cat (Marconi)
Construction FG
Designer Jerry and David Hubbard
Builder American Fiberglass Corp. (USA)
First Built 1967
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Performance Ratios
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
37.39
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
1.95
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
4.48
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.24 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 2.46 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Apollo 18, Dart 18, Prindle 18

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
A Lion ★
18.0 ft
Apollo 18
18.0 ft
Dart 18
18.0 ft
Prindle 18
18.0 ft
LWL
A Lion ★
Apollo 18
Dart 18
17.0 ft
Prindle 18
17.0 ft
Beam
A Lion ★
7.5 ft
Apollo 18
7.5 ft
Dart 18
7.5 ft
Prindle 18
7.9 ft
Displacement
A Lion ★
300 lbs
Apollo 18
240 lbs
Dart 18
285 lbs
Prindle 18
335 lbs
Sail Area
A Lion ★
150 sq ft
Apollo 18
Dart 18
175 sq ft
Prindle 18
218 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
A Lion ★
Apollo 18
Dart 18
64.7
Prindle 18
72.4
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
A Lion ★
2.0
Apollo 18
1.6
Dart 18
1.7
Prindle 18
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
A Lion ★
4.48
Apollo 18
4.83
Dart 18
4.56
Prindle 18
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
A Lion ★
37
Apollo 18
29
Dart 18
Prindle 18
Hull Speed
A Lion ★
5.2 kts
Apollo 18
5.2 kts
Dart 18
5.5 kts
Prindle 18
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