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Adams 13
Designer: Joe Adams  ·  Builder: Adams Yachts & Others  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Adams 13

Designed by Joe Adams and built from 1978 to 2000, this 43-foot cutter represents a thoughtful approach to serious cruising yacht design. With only 80 hulls produced over its 22-year production run, the Adams 13 remains a relatively rare find in today's used boat market. The yacht's impressive ballast-to-displacement ratio of over 55% creates exceptional stability and seaworthiness, making it well-suited for offshore passages and coastal cruising in challenging conditions. The deep 8.76-foot draft and substantial displacement of 14,462 pounds contribute to its reputation as a capable heavy-weather performer that tracks well and maintains course in rough seas. The cutter rig configuration provides excellent sail handling versatility, allowing crews to balance the boat effectively across varying wind conditions. With a comfort ratio of 24.6, the Adams 13 falls into the moderate comfort range, suggesting a design that balances seaworthiness with reasonable motion characteristics. Built primarily in fiberglass by Adams Yachts and other licensed builders, these yachts appeal to sailors seeking a substantial, well-built cruising platform capable of extended offshore work. The combination of conservative design principles and quality construction has earned the Adams 13 respect among serious cruising sailors.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 43.11 ft / 13.14 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 40.62 ft / 12.38 m
Beam 10.17 ft / 3.10 m
Max Draft 8.76 ft / 2.67 m
Min Draft 3.41 ft / 1.04 m
Displacement 14,462.00 lb / 6,560 kg
Ballast 8,003.00 lb / 3,630 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 1,073.00 ft² / 99.68 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Joe Adams
Builder Adams Yachts & others
First Built 1978
Last Built 2000
Number Built 80
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
29.03
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
55.34
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
96.33
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
24.6
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
1.67
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. 8.54 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. 1,476.07 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 42 gals / 159 L
Water Capacity 79 gals / 299 L
How It Compares

vs. Catalina Morgan 43, Ct 44 Pilot House, Morgan 43

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Adams 13 ★
43.1 ft
Catalina Morgan 43
43.0 ft
Ct 44 Pilot House
43.2 ft
Morgan 43
43.0 ft
LWL
Adams 13 ★
40.6 ft
Catalina Morgan 43
35.3 ft
Ct 44 Pilot House
37.6 ft
Morgan 43
35.3 ft
Beam
Adams 13 ★
10.2 ft
Catalina Morgan 43
13.5 ft
Ct 44 Pilot House
13.1 ft
Morgan 43
13.5 ft
Displacement
Adams 13 ★
14 lbs
Catalina Morgan 43
23 lbs
Ct 44 Pilot House
20 lbs
Morgan 43
23 lbs
Ballast
Adams 13 ★
8 lbs
Catalina Morgan 43
8 lbs
Ct 44 Pilot House
9 lbs
Morgan 43
8 lbs
Sail Area
Adams 13 ★
1 sq ft
Catalina Morgan 43
797 sq ft
Ct 44 Pilot House
865 sq ft
Morgan 43
797 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Adams 13 ★
29.0
Catalina Morgan 43
15.6
Ct 44 Pilot House
18.7
Morgan 43
15.6
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Adams 13 ★
55.3 %
Catalina Morgan 43
34.9 %
Ct 44 Pilot House
45.8 %
Morgan 43
34.9 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Adams 13 ★
24.6
Catalina Morgan 43
30.2
Ct 44 Pilot House
25.9
Morgan 43
30.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Adams 13 ★
1.67
Catalina Morgan 43
1.89
Ct 44 Pilot House
1.93
Morgan 43
1.89
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Adams 13 ★
96
Catalina Morgan 43
237
Ct 44 Pilot House
170
Morgan 43
237
Hull Speed
Adams 13 ★
8.5 kts
Catalina Morgan 43
8.0 kts
Ct 44 Pilot House
8.2 kts
Morgan 43
8.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Adams 13 ★
Catalina Morgan 43
2.2
Ct 44 Pilot House
Morgan 43
2.2
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