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Careel 18
Designer: John Duncanson/David Rose  ·  Builder: David Rose Yachts (Aus)  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Careel 18

Designed by the Australian duo of John Duncanson and David Rose, this compact cruiser emerged from David Rose Yachts in 1968 as a versatile small boat solution for coastal waters. With 400 hulls produced, the Careel 18 established itself as a popular choice among sailors seeking an affordable entry into cruising. The boat's most distinctive feature is its swing keel configuration, which reduces draft when needed for shallow water exploration while providing stability when deployed. This design makes it particularly well-suited for inland waterways, protected bays, and coastal cruising where varying depths are encountered. The fractional sloop rig delivers manageable sail handling for small crews while maintaining adequate power for light air performance. At 1,720 pounds displacement with 410 pounds of ballast, the Careel 18 strikes a balance between transportability and seaworthiness. The relatively low comfort ratio of 10.6 reflects its quick motion in waves, typical of lighter displacement designs, while the capsize screening value of 2.48 indicates it's best kept in protected waters rather than venturing offshore. With a theoretical hull speed of 5.52 knots and moderate sail area, this fiberglass construction boat excels as a weekend coastal cruiser, sailing trainer, or camp-cruiser for those seeking affordable sailing adventures in sheltered conditions.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 18.37 ft / 5.60 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 16.99 ft / 5.18 m
Beam 7.41 ft / 2.26 m
Max Draft 3.94 ft / 1.20 m
Min Draft 0.98 ft / 0.30 m
Displacement 1,720.00 lb / 780 kg
Ballast 410.00 lb / 186 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 161.00 ft² / 14.96 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer John Duncanson/David Rose
Builder David Rose Yachts (AUS)
First Built 1968
Number Built 400
Associations Careel Cruising Yacht Association
Owner Reviews

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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
 17.98
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
 23.84
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
 156.57
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
 10.6
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
 2.48
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. 5.52 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. 449.84 pounds/inch
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