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Starwind 15
Designer: Rod Macalpine-Downie/Dick Gibbs  ·  Builder: Wellcraft Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1984
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About the Starwind 15

A compact and approachable daysailer, the Starwind 15 is designed with entry-level and recreational sailors in mind. Built for calm to moderate coastal waters, this small keelboat offers a stable and forgiving platform that appeals to beginners learning the fundamentals of sailing as well as casual sailors looking for relaxed weekend outings on lakes, bays, and protected inlets. The Starwind 15 belongs to a family of small keelboats that gained quiet popularity for their ease of handling and accessible price point. With a fixed keel providing inherent stability, the boat sidesteps some of the tippiness associated with centerboard dinghies, making it a reassuring choice for those newer to the sport or sailing with families and children. Its modest size keeps docking, trailering, and single-handed operation manageable without demanding significant experience or crew. While not intended for offshore passages or competitive racing, the Starwind 15 earns its place as a trustworthy introductory keelboat. For buyers seeking a low-maintenance, budget-friendly vessel to build confidence on the water, it remains a practical and charming option worth considering.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 14.08 ft / 4.29 m
Beam 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Max Draft 4.08 ft / 1.24 m
Displacement 410.00 lb / 186 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Rod Macalpine-Downie/Dick Gibbs
Builder Wellcraft Marine (USA)
First Built 1984
Last Built 1987
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
65.57
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. 1.81 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 0.67 ft / 0.20 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 150.00 ft² / 13.94 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 65.57
How It Compares

vs. Montgomery 15, Mutineer 15, Oday 15 2

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Starwind 15 ★
15.0 ft
Montgomery 15
15.0 ft
Mutineer 15
15.0 ft
Oday 15 2
14.9 ft
LWL
Starwind 15 ★
14.1 ft
Montgomery 15
13.0 ft
Mutineer 15
14.1 ft
Oday 15 2
13.8 ft
Beam
Starwind 15 ★
6.0 ft
Montgomery 15
5.5 ft
Mutineer 15
6.0 ft
Oday 15 2
5.9 ft
Displacement
Starwind 15 ★
410 lbs
Montgomery 15
475 lbs
Mutineer 15
410 lbs
Oday 15 2
350 lbs
Ballast
Starwind 15 ★
Montgomery 15
175 lbs
Mutineer 15
Oday 15 2
108 lbs
Sail Area
Starwind 15 ★
Montgomery 15
90 sq ft
Mutineer 15
150 sq ft
Oday 15 2
175 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Starwind 15 ★
Montgomery 15
23.6
Mutineer 15
43.5
Oday 15 2
56.4
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Starwind 15 ★
Montgomery 15
5.5
Mutineer 15
4.1
Oday 15 2
3.6
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Starwind 15 ★
Montgomery 15
2.82
Mutineer 15
3.23
Oday 15 2
3.36
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Starwind 15 ★
65
Montgomery 15
96
Mutineer 15
Oday 15 2
Hull Speed
Starwind 15 ★
Montgomery 15
4.8 kts
Mutineer 15
5.0 kts
Oday 15 2
5.0 kts
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