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Buccaneer 220
Designer: Gary Mull  ·  Builder: Bayliner Marine Corp. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Buccaneer 220

Designed by renowned naval architect Gary Mull and built by Bayliner Marine Corp. beginning in 1978, this compact 22-footer represents a thoughtful approach to small boat sailing. The Buccaneer 220's fractional sloop rig and fin keel configuration with transom-hung rudder create a responsive sailing platform that balances performance with manageable handling characteristics. With a displacement of 2,450 pounds and 950 pounds of ballast, the boat offers reassuring stability while maintaining the light feel that makes it enjoyable to sail in moderate conditions. The 202 square feet of sail area provides adequate power for coastal sailing and day trips, though the boat's design clearly prioritizes ease of handling over raw performance. The relatively shallow 2.58-foot draft opens up access to shoal waters and smaller harbors that deeper boats cannot explore. Gary Mull's design philosophy shines through in the boat's practical proportions and seaworthy characteristics. The comfortable cockpit and straightforward deck layout make this an excellent choice for new sailors or those seeking a low-maintenance coastal cruiser. While not intended for extended offshore passages, the Buccaneer 220 excels as a weekend sailor and sailing instructor, offering an ideal introduction to keelboat sailing with forgiving handling and solid construction quality typical of Bayliner's marine division during this era.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 19.25 ft / 5.87 m
Beam 7.92 ft / 2.41 m
Max Draft 2.58 ft / 0.79 m
Displacement 2,450.00 lb / 1,111 kg
Ballast 950.00 lb / 431 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 202.00 ft² / 18.77 m²
Headroom 5.25 ft / 1.60 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Gary Mull
Builder Bayliner Marine Corp. (USA)
First Built 1978
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 228
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
 17.83
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
 38.78
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
 153.33
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
 11.98
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
 2.35
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. 5.88 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 3.47
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. 544.76 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 18.05
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 24.90 ft / 7.59 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 8.80 ft / 2.68 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 7.60 ft / 2.32 m
SA Fore 109.56 ft² / 10.18 m²
SA Main 95.00 ft² / 8.83 m²
SA Total (100%) 204.56 ft² / 19.00 m²
Est. Forestay Length 26.41 ft / 8.05 m
Mast Height (DWL) 31.25 ft / 9.53 m
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