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Blackwater 18
Designer: Daniel Webb  ·  Builder: Dan Webb And Feesy (Uk)  ·  First built: 1932
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About the Blackwater 18

Designed by Daniel Webb in 1932, this classic English sailboat represents traditional yacht design from the golden age of sailing. Built by Dan Webb And Feesy in the UK with traditional wood plank construction, approximately 100 of these vessels were produced, making them a relatively rare sight on today's waters. The Blackwater 18's conservative design philosophy emphasizes seaworthiness over speed. Her long keel configuration with transom-hung rudder provides excellent directional stability and predictable handling characteristics, though at the expense of maneuverability in tight quarters. The substantial displacement of over 5,600 pounds gives this compact cruiser impressive stability and load-carrying capacity for her size. With a masthead sloop rig and moderate sail area, she's well-suited for coastal cruising and day sailing rather than racing applications. The generous beam provides good interior volume and initial stability, while the three-foot draft allows access to shallow anchorages while maintaining reasonable upwind performance. Her excellent comfort ratio indicates she'll provide a steady, comfortable motion in seaway conditions, making her an appealing choice for sailors who prioritize traditional sailing characteristics and solid construction over modern performance. These boats appeal particularly to enthusiasts of classic yacht design and those seeking a manageable-sized cruiser with offshore capability.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 18.42 ft / 5.61 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
Beam 6.42 ft / 1.96 m
Max Draft 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
Displacement 5,622.00 lb / 2,550 kg
Ballast 1,232.00 lb / 559 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 178.00 ft² / 16.54 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long keel w/trans. hung rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction Wood plank
Designer Daniel Webb
Builder Dan Webb and Feesy (UK)
First Built 1932
Number Built 100
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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
9.03
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
21.91
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
612.75
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
43.61
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
1.45
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. 5.36 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. 367.03 pounds/inch
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