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Sheriff 600
Designer: Philippe Harlè  ·  Builder: Jouet  ·  First built: 1969
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About the Sheriff 600

Designed by Philippe Harlè and built by French manufacturer Jouet from 1969 to 1977, this 20-foot sailboat represents solid European craftsmanship from sailing's fiberglass boom era. With 1,300 hulls produced over eight years, the Sheriff 600 found favor among sailors seeking an affordable yet capable small cruiser. The boat's fractional sloop rig and fin keel configuration with transom-hung rudder deliver responsive handling characteristics well-suited to coastal cruising and day sailing. Her moderate beam of 7.74 feet provides reasonable interior volume for weekend getaways, while the 3.02-foot draft allows exploration of shallow harbors and anchorages. The displacement of 1,819 pounds with 496 pounds of ballast creates a stable platform without excessive weight. Performance metrics reveal a boat designed for comfort over speed, with a low comfort ratio of 10.88 indicating good motion characteristics in a seaway. The capsize screening formula of 2.54 suggests reasonable stability for protected waters and moderate offshore conditions. Her sail area-to-displacement ratio of 23.67 provides adequate power in light to moderate winds, making this an ideal choice for relaxed coastal cruising rather than competitive racing. The Sheriff 600 appeals to sailors wanting classic European styling with practical sailing capabilities.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 20.41 ft / 6.22 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 15.42 ft / 4.70 m
Beam 7.74 ft / 2.36 m
Max Draft 3.02 ft / 0.92 m
Displacement 1,819.00 lb / 825 kg
Ballast 496.00 lb / 225 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 220.00 ft² / 20.44 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Philippe Harlè
Builder Jouet
First Built 1969
Last Built 1977
Number Built 1300
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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
 23.67
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
 27.27
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
 221.48
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
 10.88
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
 2.54
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. 5.26 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. 426.45 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Water Capacity 11 gals / 42 L
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