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Herreshoff 15
Designer: Nathanael Herreshoff  ·  Builder: Herreshoff Mfg. Co.  ·  First built: 1902
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About the Herreshoff 15

Designed by the legendary Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, this 15-foot sailboat carries the prestigious pedigree of America's most celebrated yacht builders. The Herreshoff name became synonymous with excellence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, producing multiple America's Cup defenders and countless elegant designs that defined American yachting. While detailed specifications remain scarce, the Herreshoff 15 likely embodies the company's hallmark characteristics of graceful lines, balanced proportions, and exceptional sailing qualities. Herreshoff designs were renowned for their ability to combine performance with seaworthiness, even in smaller craft. The company's founder, Nathanael Herreshoff, was known as "The Wizard of Bristol" for his innovative approach to yacht design and construction. At 15 feet, this boat would be ideally suited for protected waters, day sailing, and perhaps light coastal cruising in favorable conditions. Given Herreshoff's reputation for creating boats that sailed beautifully in light air while remaining controllable in stronger conditions, owners can likely expect responsive handling and classic sailing characteristics. For those seeking a piece of yachting history combined with proven design principles, the Herreshoff 15 represents an opportunity to experience the craftsmanship legacy of America's premier yacht building dynasty.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 24.50 ft / 7.47 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
Beam 6.67 ft / 2.03 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Min Draft 2.33 ft / 0.71 m
Displacement 2,800.00 lb / 1,270 kg
Ballast 1,000.00 lb / 454 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 330.00 ft² / 30.66 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Gaffhead Sloop
Construction Wood
Designer Nathanael Herreshoff
Builder Herreshoff Mfg. Co.
First Built 1902
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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
26.65
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
19.34
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
1.9
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. 5.19
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. 357.49
How It Compares

vs. Buzzards Bay 15, Cornish Yawl, Pacific Seacraft 25 1, Typhoon 25 Warner, Watch Hill 15

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Herreshoff 15 ★
24.5 ft
Buzzards Bay 15
24.5 ft
Cornish Yawl
24.5 ft
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
24.5 ft
Typhoon 25 Warner
24.5 ft
Watch Hill 15
24.5 ft
LWL
Herreshoff 15 ★
15.0 ft
Buzzards Bay 15
15.0 ft
Cornish Yawl
20.7 ft
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
21.0 ft
Typhoon 25 Warner
20.3 ft
Watch Hill 15
15.0 ft
Beam
Herreshoff 15 ★
6.7 ft
Buzzards Bay 15
6.7 ft
Cornish Yawl
8.5 ft
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
8.0 ft
Typhoon 25 Warner
9.0 ft
Watch Hill 15
6.7 ft
Displacement
Herreshoff 15 ★
2 lbs
Buzzards Bay 15
2 lbs
Cornish Yawl
7 lbs
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
4 lbs
Typhoon 25 Warner
11 lbs
Watch Hill 15
2 lbs
Ballast
Herreshoff 15 ★
1 lbs
Buzzards Bay 15
1 lbs
Cornish Yawl
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
1 lbs
Typhoon 25 Warner
3 lbs
Watch Hill 15
1 lbs
Sail Area
Herreshoff 15 ★
330 sq ft
Buzzards Bay 15
331 sq ft
Cornish Yawl
379 sq ft
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
236 sq ft
Typhoon 25 Warner
300 sq ft
Watch Hill 15
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Herreshoff 15 ★
Buzzards Bay 15
193 s/nm
Cornish Yawl
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
234 s/nm
Typhoon 25 Warner
Watch Hill 15
237 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Herreshoff 15 ★
26.7
Buzzards Bay 15
29.4
Cornish Yawl
15.4
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
13.4
Typhoon 25 Warner
9.5
Watch Hill 15
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Herreshoff 15 ★
Buzzards Bay 15
Cornish Yawl
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
36.8 %
Typhoon 25 Warner
30.4 %
Watch Hill 15
35.7 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Herreshoff 15 ★
19.3
Buzzards Bay 15
16.8
Cornish Yawl
32.0
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
20.9
Typhoon 25 Warner
44.1
Watch Hill 15
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Herreshoff 15 ★
1.90
Buzzards Bay 15
1.99
Cornish Yawl
1.72
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
1.91
Typhoon 25 Warner
1.60
Watch Hill 15
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Herreshoff 15 ★
Buzzards Bay 15
Cornish Yawl
392
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
228
Typhoon 25 Warner
611
Watch Hill 15
370
Hull Speed
Herreshoff 15 ★
5.2 kts
Buzzards Bay 15
5.2 kts
Cornish Yawl
6.1 kts
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
6.1 kts
Typhoon 25 Warner
6.0 kts
Watch Hill 15
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