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Fleet O Wing
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Marcus C. Lowell & Son (Usa)  ·  First built: 1939
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About the Fleet O Wing

Designed by the legendary firm Sparkman & Stephens in 1939, this classic 17.75-foot sloop represents pre-war yacht design at its finest. With only 15 hulls built by Marcus C. Lowell & Son, the Fleet O Wing stands as a rare example of wooden boat craftsmanship from sailing's golden era. The yacht's proportions reveal a boat built for performance and seaworthiness. Her fractional sloop rig carries 149 square feet of sail on a relatively light 1,200-pound displacement, creating a spirited sailor capable of impressive speed for her size. The fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration was progressive for 1939, offering better maneuverability than full-keel contemporaries while maintaining directional stability. With a comfort ratio of 11.01, she's designed more for day sailing and short coastal passages rather than extended cruising. The low capsize screening value of 2.26 indicates excellent stability characteristics, making her well-suited for spirited sailing in moderate conditions. Her hull speed of 5.10 knots suggests she'll provide exciting sailing without being overwhelming for recreational sailors. Today, these rare Sparkman & Stephens designs are highly sought after by collectors who appreciate classic yacht design and impeccable construction heritage.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 17.75 ft / 5.41 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 14.50 ft / 4.42 m
Beam 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Max Draft 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
Displacement 1,200.00 lb / 544 kg
Ballast 480.00 lb / 218 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 149.00 ft² / 13.84 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Marcus C. Lowell & Son (USA)
First Built 1939
Number Built 15
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
21.15
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
40
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
175.72
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
11.01
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
2.26
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. 5.10 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. 310.86 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Duxbury Duck, Interlake, Mercury 18, Rhodes 18, Silhouette Mk Ii

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Fleet O Wing ★
17.8 ft
Duxbury Duck
18.0 ft
Interlake
18.0 ft
Mercury 18
18.0 ft
Rhodes 18
18.0 ft
Silhouette Mk Ii
17.7 ft
LWL
Fleet O Wing ★
14.5 ft
Duxbury Duck
15.1 ft
Interlake
Mercury 18
13.0 ft
Rhodes 18
17.0 ft
Silhouette Mk Ii
12.5 ft
Beam
Fleet O Wing ★
6.0 ft
Duxbury Duck
6.3 ft
Interlake
6.3 ft
Mercury 18
5.3 ft
Rhodes 18
6.3 ft
Silhouette Mk Ii
6.6 ft
Displacement
Fleet O Wing ★
1 lbs
Duxbury Duck
700 lbs
Interlake
650 lbs
Mercury 18
1 lbs
Rhodes 18
1 lbs
Silhouette Mk Ii
1 lbs
Ballast
Fleet O Wing ★
480 lbs
Duxbury Duck
Interlake
Mercury 18
635 lbs
Rhodes 18
Silhouette Mk Ii
400 lbs
Sail Area
Fleet O Wing ★
149 sq ft
Duxbury Duck
342 sq ft
Interlake
175 sq ft
Mercury 18
Rhodes 18
162 sq ft
Silhouette Mk Ii
120 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Fleet O Wing ★
21.2
Duxbury Duck
69.5
Interlake
Mercury 18
Rhodes 18
25.1
Silhouette Mk Ii
18.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Fleet O Wing ★
40.0 %
Duxbury Duck
Interlake
Mercury 18
57.7 %
Rhodes 18
Silhouette Mk Ii
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Fleet O Wing ★
11.0
Duxbury Duck
5.8
Interlake
5.4
Mercury 18
Rhodes 18
8.2
Silhouette Mk Ii
9.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Fleet O Wing ★
2.26
Duxbury Duck
2.85
Interlake
Mercury 18
Rhodes 18
2.46
Silhouette Mk Ii
2.55
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Fleet O Wing ★
175
Duxbury Duck
91
Interlake
81
Mercury 18
223
Rhodes 18
Silhouette Mk Ii
Hull Speed
Fleet O Wing ★
5.1 kts
Duxbury Duck
5.2 kts
Interlake
5.2 kts
Mercury 18
Rhodes 18
5.5 kts
Silhouette Mk Ii
4.7 kts
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