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Mercury 18

Designer: Ernest Nunes  ·  Builder: Nunes/W. D. Schock/Moore Sailboats  ·  First built: 1939
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About the Mercury 18

With limited technical specifications available, the Mercury 18 represents a compact sailing vessel designed for accessible recreational sailing. This 18-foot sailboat falls into the small keelboat category, making it an attractive option for sailors seeking a manageable yet capable craft for day sailing and learning opportunities. The Mercury 18's size positions it well for coastal waters and protected bays, where its manageable proportions allow for single-handed operation or comfortable sailing with a small crew. Boats in this size range typically offer an excellent balance between stability and responsiveness, making them suitable for sailors developing their skills while still providing engaging performance for experienced hands. Small keelboats like the Mercury 18 often serve dual purposes as both training vessels and weekend recreational boats. Their fixed keel design provides better upwind performance compared to centerboard alternatives, while the compact size keeps maintenance requirements and storage costs reasonable. The limited availability of detailed specifications suggests this may be a less common model, potentially making it an interesting find for sailors seeking something distinctive in the small boat market. For prospective buyers, the Mercury 18 would likely appeal to those wanting straightforward sailing in a traditional package.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 13.00 ft / 3.96 m
Beam 5.33 ft / 1.62 m
Max Draft 3.08 ft / 0.94 m
Displacement 1,100.00 lb / 499 kg
Ballast 635.00 lb / 288 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction Plywood or FG
Designer Ernest Nunes
Builder Nunes/W. D. Schock/Moore Sailboats
First Built 1939
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Performance Ratios
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
57.73
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
223.52
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. 1.48 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 30.09
J (Foretriangle Base) 7.30 ft / 2.23 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 200.00 ft² / 18.58 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 223.52
How It Compares

vs. Cape Cod Knockabout, Duxbury Duck, Hampton One Design, Interlake, Rhodes 18

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Mercury 18 ★
18.0 ft
Cape Cod Knockabout
18.0 ft
Duxbury Duck
18.0 ft
Hampton One Design
18.0 ft
Interlake
18.0 ft
Rhodes 18
18.0 ft
LWL
Mercury 18 ★
13.0 ft
Cape Cod Knockabout
15.5 ft
Duxbury Duck
15.1 ft
Hampton One Design
14.0 ft
Interlake
Rhodes 18
17.0 ft
Beam
Mercury 18 ★
5.3 ft
Cape Cod Knockabout
6.0 ft
Duxbury Duck
6.3 ft
Hampton One Design
5.8 ft
Interlake
6.3 ft
Rhodes 18
6.3 ft
Displacement
Mercury 18 ★
1 lbs
Cape Cod Knockabout
650 lbs
Duxbury Duck
700 lbs
Hampton One Design
755 lbs
Interlake
650 lbs
Rhodes 18
1 lbs
Sail Area
Mercury 18 ★
Cape Cod Knockabout
165 sq ft
Duxbury Duck
342 sq ft
Hampton One Design
175 sq ft
Interlake
175 sq ft
Rhodes 18
162 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Mercury 18 ★
Cape Cod Knockabout
35.2
Duxbury Duck
69.5
Hampton One Design
33.8
Interlake
Rhodes 18
25.1
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Mercury 18 ★
Cape Cod Knockabout
5.7
Duxbury Duck
5.8
Hampton One Design
7.4
Interlake
5.4
Rhodes 18
8.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Mercury 18 ★
Cape Cod Knockabout
2.77
Duxbury Duck
2.85
Hampton One Design
2.55
Interlake
Rhodes 18
2.46
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Mercury 18 ★
223
Cape Cod Knockabout
Duxbury Duck
91
Hampton One Design
122
Interlake
81
Rhodes 18
Hull Speed
Mercury 18 ★
Cape Cod Knockabout
5.3 kts
Duxbury Duck
5.2 kts
Hampton One Design
5.0 kts
Interlake
5.2 kts
Rhodes 18
5.5 kts
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