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Pacific 14
Designer: Wendell Calkins  ·  Builder: Dorrance Mcclure (Usa)  ·  First built: 1942
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About the Pacific 14

Designed by Wendell Calkins in 1942 and built by Dorrance McClure, this classic 14-foot centerboard dinghy represents traditional American small boat design from the World War II era. The Pacific 14's plywood construction made it an accessible and practical choice for sailors seeking an affordable entry into the sport during a time when materials and resources were precious. With its fractional sloop rig and generous sail area of 120 square feet, this little boat delivers spirited performance that belies its modest 225-pound displacement. The relatively deep draft of 4.25 feet with the centerboard down provides excellent upwind ability, while the board-up configuration allows for shallow water exploration and easy beaching. The narrow 4.7-foot beam contributes to the boat's responsive handling characteristics, though it demands active sailing from the crew. Best suited for protected waters, day sailing, and sailing instruction, the Pacific 14 offers an authentic connection to sailing's fundamentals. Its capsize screening formula of 3.09 indicates this is decidedly a fair-weather boat requiring experienced handling in stronger conditions. The high sail area to displacement ratio of 51.94 promises exciting sailing in moderate winds, making it an excellent choice for sailors who appreciate classic design and lively performance in a manageable package.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 14.00 ft / 4.27 m
Beam 4.70 ft / 1.43 m
Max Draft 4.25 ft / 1.30 m
Min Draft 0.25 ft / 0.08 m
Displacement 225.00 lb / 102 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 120.00 ft² / 11.15 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Plywood
Designer Wendell Calkins
Builder Dorrance McClure (USA)
First Built 1942
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Performance Ratios
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
59.61
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
3.51
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. 4.62 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. 1.2 pounds/inch
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