Back to Search
Pirate 15
Designer: Joseph V. Puccia  ·  Builder: Annapolis Sailboat Builders (Usa)  ·  First built: 1969
+ Add to Compare
About the Pirate 15

Designed by Joseph V. Puccia and first launched in 1969, this compact centerboard dinghy represents classic American small boat design from the late 1960s. Built by Annapolis Sailboat Builders in fiberglass construction, the Pirate 15 combines traditional sailing characteristics with modern materials for durability and ease of maintenance. With its fractional sloop rig and generous sail area of 140 square feet, this boat delivers spirited performance despite its modest 15-foot length. The centerboard configuration allows for shallow water exploration while maintaining good sailing characteristics, making it ideal for protected waters, small lakes, and coastal day sailing. The relatively high sail area to displacement ratio of 50.04 indicates this is a lively performer that will reward active sailing in moderate conditions. The boat's 300-pound displacement keeps it light enough for easy launching and retrieval, while the 5.5-foot beam provides adequate stability for a dinghy of this size. Its low comfort ratio and moderate capsize screening numbers reflect its intended use as a day sailor rather than an overnight cruiser. The Pirate 15 suits beginning sailors learning boat handling skills, experienced sailors wanting responsive dinghy sailing, or anyone seeking an easily managed boat for afternoon adventures on protected waters.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 15.16 ft / 4.62 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 14.00 ft / 4.27 m
Beam 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Max Draft 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
Min Draft 0.58 ft / 0.18 m
Displacement 300.00 lb / 136 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 140.00 ft² / 13.01 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Joseph V. Puccia
Builder Annapolis Sailboat Builders (USA)
First Built 1969
Owner Reviews

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

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
50.04
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
48.81
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
3.33
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
3.29
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. 5.01 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. 275.13 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Bandit 15, Coronado 15, Montgomery 15

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Pirate 15 ★
15.2 ft
Bandit 15
15.3 ft
Coronado 15
15.3 ft
Montgomery 15
15.0 ft
LWL
Pirate 15 ★
14.0 ft
Bandit 15
15.0 ft
Coronado 15
Montgomery 15
13.0 ft
Beam
Pirate 15 ★
5.5 ft
Bandit 15
5.9 ft
Coronado 15
5.7 ft
Montgomery 15
5.5 ft
Displacement
Pirate 15 ★
300 lbs
Bandit 15
260 lbs
Coronado 15
385 lbs
Montgomery 15
475 lbs
Sail Area
Pirate 15 ★
140 sq ft
Bandit 15
Coronado 15
139 sq ft
Montgomery 15
90 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Pirate 15 ★
50.0
Bandit 15
Coronado 15
42.1
Montgomery 15
23.6
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Pirate 15 ★
3.3
Bandit 15
Coronado 15
4.3
Montgomery 15
5.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Pirate 15 ★
3.29
Bandit 15
Coronado 15
Montgomery 15
2.82
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Pirate 15 ★
48
Bandit 15
34
Coronado 15
77
Montgomery 15
96
Hull Speed
Pirate 15 ★
5.0 kts
Bandit 15
Coronado 15
4.8 kts
Montgomery 15
4.8 kts
Find a Pirate 15 For Sale