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Swarbrick 80
Designer: Kim Swarbrick  ·  Builder: Swarbrick Brothers (Aus)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Swarbrick 80

Designed by Kim Swarbrick and built by Swarbrick Brothers in Australia starting in 1978, this 26-foot sailboat represents solid Australian craftsmanship from the late 1970s era. The fiberglass construction features a fin keel with transom-hung rudder configuration, providing responsive handling characteristics typical of boats from this period. With a displacement of 3,086 pounds and ballast of 1,213 pounds, the Swarbrick 80 strikes a balance between performance and stability suitable for coastal cruising and club racing. The fractional sloop rig carries 320 square feet of sail area, delivering a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 24.22 that indicates spirited sailing performance without being overly aggressive. The boat's comfort ratio of 10.79 suggests a relatively stiff, quick motion that favors performance over ultimate comfort, while the capsize screening formula of 2.44 indicates reasonable stability for coastal waters. The hull speed of 6.47 knots reflects typical performance expectations for this length waterline. This design would appeal to sailors seeking an affordable entry into performance-oriented sailing, particularly those interested in club racing or spirited coastal cruising. The Australian build quality and Kim Swarbrick's reputation for practical, seaworthy designs make this an interesting option in the vintage sailboat market.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.25 ft / 8.00 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.29 ft / 7.10 m
Beam 8.86 ft / 2.70 m
Max Draft 4.59 ft / 1.40 m
Displacement 3,086.00 lb / 1,400 kg
Ballast 1,213.00 lb / 550 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 320.00 ft² / 29.73 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Kim Swarbrick
Builder Swarbrick Brothers (AUS)
First Built 1978
Associations S80 Association of Victoria (AUS)
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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
 24.22
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
 39.31
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
 109.05
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
 10.79
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
 2.44
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. 6.47 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
 5.17
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. 737.31 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. 24.23
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 28.71 ft / 8.75 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.51 ft / 2.90 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 31.99 ft / 9.75 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.48 ft / 3.50 m
SA Fore 136.52 ft² / 12.68 m²
SA Main 183.62 ft² / 17.06 m²
SA Total (100%) 320.14 ft² / 29.74 m²
Est. Forestay Length 30.24 ft / 9.22 m
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