Back to Search
Buzzards Bay 14
Designer: L. F. Herreshoff  ·  First built: 1940
+ Add to Compare
About the Buzzards Bay 14

Designed by L.F. Herreshoff in 1940, this classic wooden sloop represents the pinnacle of traditional New England small boat craftsmanship. With its distinctive long keel and transom-hung rudder configuration, the Buzzards Bay 14 embodies the timeless aesthetic and seaworthy characteristics that made Herreshoff designs legendary among sailing enthusiasts. At 17.25 feet overall with a 14-foot waterline, this fractional sloop carries 160 square feet of sail area efficiently distributed for balanced handling. The substantial 1,700-pound displacement includes 800 pounds of ballast, creating exceptional stability for a boat of this size. The generous beam of 5.83 feet provides comfortable cockpit space while maintaining the hull's elegant proportions. Built for coastal cruising and daysailing, the Buzzards Bay 14 excels in protected waters and moderate conditions. Its long keel design tracks beautifully and provides predictable handling characteristics that build confidence in developing sailors. The comfort ratio of 16.74 indicates a motion that's gentle for extended sailing sessions, while the capsize screening value of 1.96 reflects its intended use in sheltered waters rather than offshore passages. This design appeals particularly to traditionalists who appreciate wooden boat craftsmanship and the refined sailing qualities that only a Herreshoff hull can deliver.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 17.25 ft / 5.26 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 14.00 ft / 4.27 m
Beam 5.83 ft / 1.78 m
Max Draft 2.50 ft / 0.76 m
Displacement 1,700.00 lb / 771 kg
Ballast 800.00 lb / 363 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 160.00 ft² / 14.86 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long keel w/trans. hung rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood
Designer L. F. Herreshoff
First Built 1940
Associations Herreshoff Marine Museum
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

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
321
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
18.01
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
47.06
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
276.58
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
16.74
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
1.96
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. 5.01 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. 291.64 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Cornish Shrimper 17, Daysailer, Thistle

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Buzzards Bay 14 ★
17.3 ft
Cornish Shrimper 17
17.0 ft
Daysailer
16.8 ft
Thistle
17.0 ft
LWL
Buzzards Bay 14 ★
14.0 ft
Cornish Shrimper 17
16.0 ft
Daysailer
15.5 ft
Thistle
17.0 ft
Beam
Buzzards Bay 14 ★
5.8 ft
Cornish Shrimper 17
6.8 ft
Daysailer
6.3 ft
Thistle
6.0 ft
Displacement
Buzzards Bay 14 ★
1 lbs
Cornish Shrimper 17
1 lbs
Daysailer
575 lbs
Thistle
515 lbs
Sail Area
Buzzards Bay 14 ★
160 sq ft
Cornish Shrimper 17
178 sq ft
Daysailer
Thistle
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Buzzards Bay 14 ★
321 s/nm
Cornish Shrimper 17
390 s/nm
Daysailer
Thistle
186 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Buzzards Bay 14 ★
18.0
Cornish Shrimper 17
22.3
Daysailer
Thistle
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Buzzards Bay 14 ★
16.7
Cornish Shrimper 17
10.8
Daysailer
Thistle
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Buzzards Bay 14 ★
1.96
Cornish Shrimper 17
2.39
Daysailer
Thistle
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Buzzards Bay 14 ★
276
Cornish Shrimper 17
158
Daysailer
68
Thistle
46
Hull Speed
Buzzards Bay 14 ★
5.0 kts
Cornish Shrimper 17
5.4 kts
Daysailer
Thistle
Find a Buzzards Bay 14 For Sale