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Wayfarer
Designer: Ian Proctor  ·  Builder: Small Craft Ltd.(Uk)/Abbott Boats  ·  First built: 1957
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About the Wayfarer

Designed by Ian Proctor and first launched in 1957, the Wayfarer has earned a remarkable reputation as one of the most versatile and beloved dinghy classes in sailing history. Built for adventure as much as competition, this sturdy centerboard dinghy strikes an appealing balance between performance and practicality, making it a favourite among beginners, experienced club racers, and long-distance cruisers alike. What sets the Wayfarer apart from many of its contemporaries is its exceptional range of use. It is equally at home on sheltered inland lakes as it is on open coastal waters, and a dedicated community of enthusiasts has completed genuinely ambitious offshore passages in these boats, a testament to their seaworthiness and stability. The roomy cockpit accommodates a crew comfortably, and the boat's forgiving nature makes it an excellent platform for building sailing confidence without sacrificing the satisfaction of spirited performance. With an active class association and a strong secondhand market, the Wayfarer remains a practical and rewarding choice for sailors seeking a capable, characterful dinghy with decades of proven heritage behind it.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 15.83 ft / 4.82 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 14.83 ft / 4.52 m
Beam 6.08 ft / 1.85 m
Max Draft 3.83 ft / 1.17 m
Min Draft 0.67 ft / 0.20 m
Displacement 372.00 lb / 169 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 141.00 ft² / 13.10 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Ply (multi-chine)/FG
Designer Ian Proctor
Builder Small Craft Ltd.(UK)/Abbott Boats
First Built 1957
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
43.67
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
3.43
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
3.38
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. 5.16
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. 322.17
How It Compares

vs. Com Pac 16, Hornet, Leeward 16 Luger

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Wayfarer ★
15.8 ft
Com Pac 16
16.0 ft
Hornet
16.0 ft
Leeward 16 Luger
16.0 ft
LWL
Wayfarer ★
14.8 ft
Com Pac 16
14.0 ft
Hornet
15.0 ft
Leeward 16 Luger
15.0 ft
Beam
Wayfarer ★
6.1 ft
Com Pac 16
6.0 ft
Hornet
4.6 ft
Leeward 16 Luger
6.3 ft
Displacement
Wayfarer ★
372 lbs
Com Pac 16
1 lbs
Hornet
300 lbs
Leeward 16 Luger
650 lbs
Sail Area
Wayfarer ★
141 sq ft
Com Pac 16
115 sq ft
Hornet
Leeward 16 Luger
140 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Wayfarer ★
43.7
Com Pac 16
17.3
Hornet
Leeward 16 Luger
29.9
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Wayfarer ★
3.4
Com Pac 16
10.7
Hornet
4.0
Leeward 16 Luger
5.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Wayfarer ★
3.38
Com Pac 16
2.33
Hornet
2.74
Leeward 16 Luger
2.89
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Wayfarer ★
Com Pac 16
178
Hornet
39
Leeward 16 Luger
85
Hull Speed
Wayfarer ★
5.2 kts
Com Pac 16
5.0 kts
Hornet
5.2 kts
Leeward 16 Luger
5.2 kts
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