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Buccaneer 240
Designer: Alan Payne/Bayliner  ·  Builder: Bayliner Marine Corp (Usa)  ·  First built: 1975
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About the Buccaneer 240

Designed by renowned naval architect Alan Payne and built by Bayliner Marine Corp starting in 1975, this compact cruiser represents solid value in the trailerable sailboat market. The fiberglass construction and traditional long keel configuration with transom-hung rudder provide excellent directional stability and forgiving handling characteristics that make it particularly well-suited for novice sailors and coastal cruising. With a masthead sloop rig and moderate sail area of 248 square feet, the Buccaneer 240 delivers respectable performance while maintaining manageable sail handling. The boat's substantial displacement of 4,000 pounds, combined with 1,250 pounds of ballast, creates a stable platform that inspires confidence in choppy conditions. The comfort ratio of 18.16 indicates a relatively easy motion through waves, while the capsize screening formula of 2.02 suggests adequate stability for coastal waters. The long keel design tracks well under sail and provides protection for the propeller when beaching or drying out. While not built for speed—with a hull speed around 6 knots—this boat excels at leisurely day sailing and weekend cruising. Its 8-foot beam maximizes interior volume within the compact 23.67-foot length overall, making it an attractive option for sailors seeking a capable small cruiser that can be trailered to different sailing venues.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 23.67 ft / 7.21 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.33 ft / 6.20 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 2.50 ft / 0.76 m
Displacement 4,000.00 lb / 1,814 kg
Ballast 1,250.00 lb / 567 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 248.00 ft² / 23.04 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long keel w/trans. hung rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Alan Payne/Bayliner
Builder Bayliner Marine Corp (USA)
First Built 1975
Related Sailboats Buccaneer 245 · Catalina 22 · Ranger 23 · American 24 · Balboa 24
Owner Reviews

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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
264
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
15.79
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
31.25
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
212.52
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
18.16
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
2.02
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. 6.04 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
2.2
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. 581.13 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. 13.98
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 26.20 ft / 7.99 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.33 ft / 2.84 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 22.25 ft / 6.78 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 8.75 ft / 2.67 m
SA Fore 122.22 ft² / 11.35 m²
SA Main 97.34 ft² / 9.04 m²
SA Total (100%) 219.56 ft² / 20.40 m²
Est. Forestay Length 27.81 ft / 8.48 m
Mast Height (DWL) 33.83 ft / 10.31 m
Engine & Accommodations
Water Capacity 20 gals / 76 L
How It Compares

vs. American 24, Balboa 24, Buccaneer 245, Catalina 22, Ranger 23

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Buccaneer 240 ★
23.7 ft
American 24
23.7 ft
Balboa 24
23.6 ft
Buccaneer 245
23.7 ft
Catalina 22
23.8 ft
Ranger 23
23.7 ft
LWL
Buccaneer 240 ★
20.3 ft
American 24
22.0 ft
Balboa 24
20.0 ft
Buccaneer 245
20.3 ft
Catalina 22
19.3 ft
Ranger 23
20.0 ft
Beam
Buccaneer 240 ★
8.0 ft
American 24
7.9 ft
Balboa 24
8.3 ft
Buccaneer 245
8.0 ft
Catalina 22
7.7 ft
Ranger 23
7.9 ft
Displacement
Buccaneer 240 ★
4 lbs
American 24
4 lbs
Balboa 24
2 lbs
Buccaneer 245
3 lbs
Catalina 22
2 lbs
Ranger 23
3 lbs
Ballast
Buccaneer 240 ★
1 lbs
American 24
1 lbs
Balboa 24
900 lbs
Buccaneer 245
1 lbs
Catalina 22
550 lbs
Ranger 23
1 lbs
Sail Area
Buccaneer 240 ★
248 sq ft
American 24
Balboa 24
220 sq ft
Buccaneer 245
231 sq ft
Catalina 22
212 sq ft
Ranger 23
244 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Buccaneer 240 ★
264 s/nm
American 24
Balboa 24
240 s/nm
Buccaneer 245
Catalina 22
276 s/nm
Ranger 23
222 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Buccaneer 240 ★
15.8
American 24
Balboa 24
18.7
Buccaneer 245
17.8
Catalina 22
19.8
Ranger 23
17.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Buccaneer 240 ★
31.3 %
American 24
27.9 %
Balboa 24
34.6 %
Buccaneer 245
Catalina 22
24.4 %
Ranger 23
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Buccaneer 240 ★
18.2
American 24
Balboa 24
11.3
Buccaneer 245
13.6
Catalina 22
11.1
Ranger 23
15.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Buccaneer 240 ★
2.02
American 24
Balboa 24
2.43
Buccaneer 245
2.22
Catalina 22
2.34
Ranger 23
2.11
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Buccaneer 240 ★
212
American 24
180
Balboa 24
145
Buccaneer 245
Catalina 22
139
Ranger 23
Hull Speed
Buccaneer 240 ★
6.0 kts
American 24
Balboa 24
6.0 kts
Buccaneer 245
6.0 kts
Catalina 22
5.9 kts
Ranger 23
6.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Buccaneer 240 ★
2.2
American 24
Balboa 24
3.7
Buccaneer 245
3.3
Catalina 22
3.9
Ranger 23
2.9
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