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Spartan 2 Buchanan
Designer: Alan Buchanan  ·  First built: 1955
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About the Spartan 2 Buchanan

Designed by Alan Buchanan in 1955, this classic 23-footer represents the era's emphasis on seaworthy construction and traditional sailing qualities. With only 50 hulls built, the Spartan 2 has become a relatively rare find among vintage sailboat enthusiasts seeking authentic mid-century design and craftsmanship. The boat's substantial displacement of 5,500 pounds and deep 4-foot draft create a stable platform well-suited for coastal cruising and longer passages. Her impressive ballast-to-displacement ratio of over 60 percent, combined with a traditional long keel configuration, delivers exceptional directional stability and seakindly motion in challenging conditions. The carvel-planked wooden construction reflects the high standards of 1950s boatbuilding, though prospective owners should budget for the ongoing maintenance that wooden hulls require. Her fractional sloop rig with 250 square feet of sail area provides adequate power while remaining manageable for small crews. The comfort ratio of 35.57 indicates excellent motion characteristics for extended cruising, while the capsize screening value of 1.48 suggests good stability for offshore work. Hull speed calculations show she'll cruise efficiently at around 5.7 knots, making her ideal for sailors who prioritize comfort and seaworthiness over pure speed.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 18.33 ft / 5.59 m
Beam 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
Max Draft 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
Displacement 5,500.00 lb / 2,495 kg
Ballast 3,400.00 lb / 1,542 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 250.00 ft² / 23.23 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long keel w/trans. hung rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood (carvel planked)
Designer Alan Buchanan
First Built 1955
Number Built 50
Owner Reviews

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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
12.88
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
61.82
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
398.68
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
35.57
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
1.48
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. 5.74 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
0.91
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. 425.72 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 12.84
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 24.00 ft / 7.32 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 27.25 ft / 8.31 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.25 ft / 3.43 m
SA Fore 96.00 ft² / 8.92 m²
SA Main 153.28 ft² / 14.24 m²
SA Total (100%) 249.28 ft² / 23.16 m²
Est. Forestay Length 25.30 ft / 7.71 m
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