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Swift 18
Designer: Colin Silvester  ·  Builder: Swift Boats Ltd./John Charnley Associates (Uk)  ·  First built: 1981
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About the Swift 18

Compact, nimble, and accessible, the Swift 18 is a small sailboat well suited to sailors looking for an entry-level or daysailing experience on sheltered waters. Designed with simplicity in mind, this trailerable vessel appeals to those who want to get out on the water without the complexity or cost of a larger keelboat. Its modest size makes it an attractive choice for beginners building their confidence, as well as experienced sailors seeking a low-maintenance weekend boat. While detailed specifications are limited, the Swift 18's compact dimensions suggest it is best suited to calm inland lakes, bays, and protected coastal waters rather than open-ocean passages. Boats in this class typically prioritize ease of handling and straightforward rigging, making solo or short-handed sailing a realistic prospect. Trailering capability adds practical appeal, allowing owners to explore different sailing destinations with relative ease. For those researching an affordable and manageable introduction to keel or small-boat sailing, the Swift 18 represents a practical option worth investigating further, particularly for daysailing and casual recreational use close to shore.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 16.33 ft / 4.98 m
Beam 7.92 ft / 2.41 m
Max Draft 3.50 ft / 1.07 m
Displacement 1,450.00 lb / 658 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Colin Silvester
Builder Swift Boats Ltd./John Charnley Associates (UK)
First Built 1981
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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
148.65
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. 2.77 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 0.75 ft / 0.23 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 199.00 ft² / 18.49 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 148.65
How It Compares

vs. Gloucester 18, S2 55, Starwind 18

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Swift 18 ★
18.0 ft
Gloucester 18
18.0 ft
S2 55
18.0 ft
Starwind 18
18.0 ft
LWL
Swift 18 ★
16.3 ft
Gloucester 18
16.7 ft
S2 55
16.3 ft
Starwind 18
16.7 ft
Beam
Swift 18 ★
7.9 ft
Gloucester 18
6.0 ft
S2 55
7.7 ft
Starwind 18
6.0 ft
Displacement
Swift 18 ★
1 lbs
Gloucester 18
500 lbs
S2 55
600 lbs
Starwind 18
500 lbs
Sail Area
Swift 18 ★
Gloucester 18
175 sq ft
S2 55
176 sq ft
Starwind 18
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Swift 18 ★
Gloucester 18
44.5
S2 55
39.6
Starwind 18
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Swift 18 ★
Gloucester 18
4.2
S2 55
3.7
Starwind 18
4.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Swift 18 ★
Gloucester 18
3.03
S2 55
3.64
Starwind 18
3.03
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Swift 18 ★
148
Gloucester 18
48
S2 55
62
Starwind 18
48
Hull Speed
Swift 18 ★
Gloucester 18
5.5 kts
S2 55
5.4 kts
Starwind 18
5.5 kts
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