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Boothbay Harbor One Design
Designer: Geerd N. Hendel  ·  First built: 1938
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About the Boothbay Harbor One Design

Designed by Geerd N. Hendel in 1938, this classic Maine daysailer represents the golden age of wooden boat construction and one-design racing. With only 56 hulls built, the Boothbay Harbor One Design maintains an exclusive presence in New England waters, where it was originally conceived for competitive fleet racing in the protected harbors of coastal Maine. The boat's moderate proportions and traditional wood-planked construction deliver the authentic sailing experience that enthusiasts cherish. At 21 feet overall with a fractional sloop rig carrying 227 square feet of sail, she offers spirited performance while remaining manageable for small crews. The fin keel configuration with 900 pounds of ballast provides good stability for her size, though the relatively high sail area to displacement ratio of 22.2 ensures lively sailing characteristics. Built primarily for daysailing and one-design competition, this design excels in coastal waters and protected bays rather than offshore passages. The comfort ratio of 16.63 and capsize screening value of 1.72 indicate she's best suited for experienced sailors who appreciate her quick response and traditional handling characteristics. Her 5.96-knot hull speed provides respectable performance for afternoon races or leisurely coastal exploration, making her an ideal choice for sailors seeking classic wooden boat character with proven racing pedigree.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 19.75 ft / 6.02 m
Beam 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Max Draft 3.50 ft / 1.07 m
Displacement 2,100.00 lb / 953 kg
Ballast 900.00 lb / 408 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 227.00 ft² / 21.09 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood planked
Designer Geerd N. Hendel
First Built 1938
Number Built 56
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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
22.2
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
42.86
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
121.69
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
16.63
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
1.72
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. 5.96 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. 388.13 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Debutante 21, Great Lakes 21, Swampscott One Design Dory

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Boothbay Harbor One Design ★
21.0 ft
Debutante 21
21.0 ft
Great Lakes 21
21.0 ft
Swampscott One Design Dory
21.0 ft
LWL
Boothbay Harbor One Design ★
19.8 ft
Debutante 21
16.0 ft
Great Lakes 21
18.3 ft
Swampscott One Design Dory
15.0 ft
Beam
Boothbay Harbor One Design ★
5.5 ft
Debutante 21
7.0 ft
Great Lakes 21
5.8 ft
Swampscott One Design Dory
6.0 ft
Displacement
Boothbay Harbor One Design ★
2 lbs
Debutante 21
2 lbs
Great Lakes 21
1 lbs
Swampscott One Design Dory
1 lbs
Ballast
Boothbay Harbor One Design ★
900 lbs
Debutante 21
Great Lakes 21
Swampscott One Design Dory
300 lbs
Sail Area
Boothbay Harbor One Design ★
227 sq ft
Debutante 21
155 sq ft
Great Lakes 21
200 sq ft
Swampscott One Design Dory
216 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Boothbay Harbor One Design ★
22.2
Debutante 21
15.7
Great Lakes 21
21.7
Swampscott One Design Dory
32.5
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Boothbay Harbor One Design ★
42.9 %
Debutante 21
Great Lakes 21
Swampscott One Design Dory
27.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Boothbay Harbor One Design ★
16.6
Debutante 21
13.2
Great Lakes 21
14.1
Swampscott One Design Dory
9.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Boothbay Harbor One Design ★
1.72
Debutante 21
2.22
Great Lakes 21
1.89
Swampscott One Design Dory
2.33
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Boothbay Harbor One Design ★
121
Debutante 21
217
Great Lakes 21
130
Swampscott One Design Dory
145
Hull Speed
Boothbay Harbor One Design ★
6.0 kts
Debutante 21
5.4 kts
Great Lakes 21
5.7 kts
Swampscott One Design Dory
5.2 kts
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