Back to Search
Phoenix 12
Designer: C. William Lapworth  ·  First built: 1983
+ Add to Compare
About the Phoenix 12

Designed as a compact and accessible sailboat, the Phoenix 12 appeals to sailors looking for an entry-level or daysailing experience on sheltered waters. With its modest size, this boat is well suited to calm bays, lakes, and inshore coastal cruising, making it a practical choice for beginners learning the fundamentals of sailing or experienced sailors seeking a nimble, low-maintenance vessel for relaxed outings. The Phoenix 12 carries the straightforward character typical of small production sailboats, prioritizing ease of handling over performance ambitions. Its manageable size means rigging, launching, and single-handed sailing are all realistic propositions, giving owners a degree of flexibility that larger keelboats simply cannot offer. While detailed specifications remain limited, boats in this class generally favor stability and simplicity, traits that suit family day sails and casual weekend adventures. For anyone considering a first boat or a secondary vessel for uncomplicated fun on the water, the Phoenix 12 presents a sensible option worth investigating further. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek out owner communities and inspect available examples closely to get a fuller picture of this boat's condition and history.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 11.67 ft / 3.56 m
Beam 4.75 ft / 1.45 m
Max Draft 3.61 ft / 1.10 m
Displacement 185.00 lb / 84 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Dbrd. Dinghy
Rigging Type Cat (Marconi)
Construction FG
Designer C. William Lapworth
First Built 1983
Number Built 30
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Phoenix 12? Submit a known issue

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
51.97
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. 1.19 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 0.33 ft / 0.10 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 81.00 ft² / 7.53 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 51.97
How It Compares

vs. Byte, Howmar 12, Sparrow 12

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Phoenix 12 ★
12.0 ft
Byte
12.0 ft
Howmar 12
12.2 ft
Sparrow 12
12.0 ft
LWL
Phoenix 12 ★
11.7 ft
Byte
10.5 ft
Howmar 12
10.4 ft
Sparrow 12
10.9 ft
Beam
Phoenix 12 ★
4.8 ft
Byte
4.3 ft
Howmar 12
5.0 ft
Sparrow 12
5.7 ft
Displacement
Phoenix 12 ★
185 lbs
Byte
99 lbs
Howmar 12
175 lbs
Sparrow 12
351 lbs
Sail Area
Phoenix 12 ★
Byte
58 sq ft
Howmar 12
90 sq ft
Sparrow 12
73 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Phoenix 12 ★
Byte
43.4
Howmar 12
46.1
Sparrow 12
23.5
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Phoenix 12 ★
Byte
2.0
Howmar 12
2.9
Sparrow 12
4.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Phoenix 12 ★
Byte
3.68
Howmar 12
3.58
Sparrow 12
3.22
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Phoenix 12 ★
51
Byte
38
Howmar 12
69
Sparrow 12
Hull Speed
Phoenix 12 ★
Byte
4.3 kts
Howmar 12
4.3 kts
Sparrow 12
4.4 kts
Find a Phoenix 12 For Sale