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Sundance 13
Designer: E. A. Brown  ·  Builder: El-Mar Boat Co. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1973
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About the Sundance 13

A compact and accessible daysailer, the Sundance 13 is designed with simplicity and fun at its core, making it an appealing choice for beginners and casual sailors looking to enjoy time on the water without the complexity of larger vessels. Its modest size positions it well for calm inland lakes, sheltered bays, and light coastal sailing, where its easy handling can truly shine. With limited documentation widely available, the Sundance 13 occupies that understated corner of the small sailboat market where practicality meets affordability. Boats of this class typically reward sailors who value low maintenance and easy trailering, and the Sundance 13 appears to fit squarely within that tradition. Its manageable scale makes it a strong candidate for solo sailors or those sailing with a single companion. For someone researching a first sailboat or a relaxed weekend vessel, the Sundance 13 deserves consideration as an entry point into the sport. While detailed performance data remains sparse, its size and intended use suggest a forgiving, approachable character well suited to developing foundational sailing skills in a low-pressure environment.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 12.25 ft / 3.73 m
Beam 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Max Draft 3.50 ft / 1.07 m
Displacement 205.00 lb / 93 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer E. A. Brown
Builder El-Mar Boat Co. (USA)
First Built 1973
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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
 81.07
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
 3.37
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. 4.32 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. 1.12 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 0.42 ft / 0.13 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 95.00 ft² / 8.83 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) El Mar Boat Co. (USA)
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