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Mermaid Class
Designer: E. Farnham Butler/Theodore Earl  ·  Builder: Mount Desert Yacht Yard  ·  First built: 1947
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About the Mermaid Class

Originally designed as a one-design racing class, the Mermaid represents a fascinating chapter in small boat sailing history. These distinctive keelboats gained popularity in various sailing communities for their combination of competitive racing characteristics and accessible handling qualities. Built with traditional construction methods, Mermaids feature a classic profile that reflects mid-20th century design sensibilities. Their moderate displacement and well-balanced sail plan make them particularly well-suited for club racing and day sailing in protected waters. The class developed a loyal following among sailors who appreciated the boats' predictable handling characteristics and the close competition fostered by one-design racing rules. While not intended for extended cruising or offshore passages, these boats excel in coastal and inland waters where their responsive nature and forgiving sailing qualities shine. The Mermaid's design emphasizes tactical sailing skills over pure boat speed, making races decided more by crew ability than equipment advantages. Today, existing Mermaids are often cherished by sailing enthusiasts who value classic design and spirited competition. Their relatively simple systems and straightforward maintenance requirements appeal to sailors seeking an authentic connection to traditional sailboat racing without overwhelming complexity.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 14.25 ft / 4.34 m
Beam 5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Max Draft 3.25 ft / 0.99 m
Displacement 2,200.00 lb / 998 kg
Ballast 930.00 lb / 422 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 194.00 ft² / 18.02 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Cedar Planked
Designer E. Farnham Butler/Theodore Earl
Builder Mount Desert Yacht Yard
First Built 1947
Last Built 1963
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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
18.39
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
19.58
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
1.77
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. 5.06
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. 292.77
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