About the Great South Bay Shore Bird
Designed by Charles D. Mower in the early 1920s, this classic gaff-rigged sloop represents a charming piece of American sailing history from Long Island's Great South Bay. Built by Samuel Newey between 1923 and 1926, only 40 of these distinctive wooden boats were ever constructed, making them relatively rare finds today.
At just over 21 feet overall with a 14-foot waterline, the Shore Bird strikes an appealing balance between manageable size and seaworthy capability. Her traditional gaff sloop rig carries 250 square feet of sail area, providing spirited performance for coastal cruising and daysailing. The keel/centerboard configuration offers versatility in shallow waters typical of bay sailing while maintaining reasonable stability offshore.
With a displacement of 1,800 pounds and 350 pounds of ballast, she's built with the substantial feel characteristic of pre-war designs. The comfort ratio of 14.76 suggests a relatively stiff, quick motion suited to experienced sailors, while her capsize screening value of 2.08 indicates good stability for protected coastal waters.
This design excels as a weekend coastal cruiser or spirited daysailer for those who appreciate traditional sailing characteristics and craftsmanship. Her wooden construction and classic lines make her particularly appealing to traditionalists seeking an authentic vintage sailing experience.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
21.08 ft / 6.43 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
14.00 ft / 4.27 m
Beam
6.33 ft / 1.93 m
Min Draft
1.50 ft / 0.46 m
Displacement
1,800.00 lb / 816 kg
Ballast
350.00 lb / 159 kg
Ballast Type
Lead
Sail Area (Reported)
250.00 ft² / 23.23 m²
How It Compares
vs. Boothbay Harbor One Design, Great Lakes 21, Indian, Swampscott One Design Dory, Vineyard 21
This boat
Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Great South Bay Shore Bird ★
21.1 ft
Boothbay Harbor One Design
21.0 ft
Swampscott One Design Dory
21.0 ft
LWL
Great South Bay Shore Bird ★
14.0 ft
Boothbay Harbor One Design
19.8 ft
Swampscott One Design Dory
15.0 ft
Beam
Great South Bay Shore Bird ★
6.3 ft
Boothbay Harbor One Design
5.5 ft
Swampscott One Design Dory
6.0 ft
Displacement
Great South Bay Shore Bird ★
1 lbs
Boothbay Harbor One Design
2 lbs
Swampscott One Design Dory
1 lbs
Ballast
Great South Bay Shore Bird ★
350 lbs
Boothbay Harbor One Design
900 lbs
Swampscott One Design Dory
300 lbs
Sail Area
Great South Bay Shore Bird ★
250 sq ft
Boothbay Harbor One Design
227 sq ft
Swampscott One Design Dory
216 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement
(higher = more powerful)
Great South Bay Shore Bird ★
27.1
Boothbay Harbor One Design
22.2
Swampscott One Design Dory
32.5
Ballast / Disp
(higher = stiffer)
Great South Bay Shore Bird ★
19.4 %
Boothbay Harbor One Design
42.9 %
Swampscott One Design Dory
27.3 %
Comfort Ratio
(higher = more comfortable offshore)
Great South Bay Shore Bird ★
14.8
Boothbay Harbor One Design
16.6
Swampscott One Design Dory
9.3
Capsize Screening
(lower = safer)
Great South Bay Shore Bird ★
2.08
Boothbay Harbor One Design
1.72
Swampscott One Design Dory
2.33
Displacement / Length
(lower = lighter)
Great South Bay Shore Bird ★
292
Boothbay Harbor One Design
121
Swampscott One Design Dory
145
Hull Speed
Great South Bay Shore Bird ★
5.0 kts
Boothbay Harbor One Design
6.0 kts
Swampscott One Design Dory
5.2 kts