Back to Search
Wild Duck 19
Designer: Alan Buchanan  ·  First built: 1955
+ Add to Compare
About the Wild Duck 19

Designed by Alan Buchanan in 1955, this classic 19-footer represents traditional yacht design at its finest. The Wild Duck 19's wooden construction and long keel configuration with transom-hung rudder create a seaworthy pocket cruiser that prioritizes stability and comfort over outright speed. With substantial displacement of 4,110 pounds and a comfort ratio of 29.13, this boat offers remarkable stability for its size, making it well-suited for coastal cruising and protected offshore passages. The fractional sloop rig provides balanced sail handling, while the moderate sail area ensures manageable performance in various conditions. Her deep draft and long keel design deliver excellent tracking and predictable handling characteristics that inspire confidence in challenging weather. The Wild Duck 19's capsize screening formula of 1.7 indicates good stability margins for a boat of this era and type. While not built for racing, her traditional lines and solid construction appeal to sailors who appreciate classic yacht design and the craftsmanship of wooden boat building. This design suits sailors seeking a characterful small cruiser capable of serious coastal exploration while maintaining the charm and sailing qualities that made 1950s designs enduringly popular among traditionalists.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 16.18 ft / 4.93 m
Beam 6.78 ft / 2.07 m
Max Draft 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
Displacement 4,110.00 lb / 1,864 kg
Ballast 1,350.00 lb / 612 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 196.00 ft² / 18.21 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long keel w/trans. hung rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood
Designer Alan Buchanan
First Built 1955
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Wild Duck 19? Submit a known issue

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
12.26
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
32.85
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
433.17
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
29.13
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
1.7
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. 5.39 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. 391.97 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Com-Pac 19, Flying Scot, Lightning

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Wild Duck 19 ★
19.0 ft
Com-Pac 19
19.0 ft
Flying Scot
19.0 ft
Lightning
19.0 ft
LWL
Wild Duck 19 ★
16.2 ft
Com-Pac 19
16.5 ft
Flying Scot
18.5 ft
Lightning
15.3 ft
Beam
Wild Duck 19 ★
6.8 ft
Com-Pac 19
7.5 ft
Flying Scot
6.8 ft
Lightning
6.5 ft
Displacement
Wild Duck 19 ★
4 lbs
Com-Pac 19
2 lbs
Flying Scot
850 lbs
Lightning
700 lbs
Ballast
Wild Duck 19 ★
1 lbs
Com-Pac 19
750 lbs
Flying Scot
Lightning
130 lbs
Sail Area
Wild Duck 19 ★
196 sq ft
Com-Pac 19
165 sq ft
Flying Scot
191 sq ft
Lightning
172 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Wild Duck 19 ★
Com-Pac 19
Flying Scot
204 s/nm
Lightning
153 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Wild Duck 19 ★
12.3
Com-Pac 19
15.6
Flying Scot
34.1
Lightning
35.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Wild Duck 19 ★
32.9 %
Com-Pac 19
34.1 %
Flying Scot
Lightning
18.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Wild Duck 19 ★
29.1
Com-Pac 19
13.4
Flying Scot
5.5
Lightning
5.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Wild Duck 19 ★
1.70
Com-Pac 19
2.31
Flying Scot
2.85
Lightning
2.93
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Wild Duck 19 ★
433
Com-Pac 19
218
Flying Scot
59
Lightning
88
Hull Speed
Wild Duck 19 ★
5.4 kts
Com-Pac 19
5.4 kts
Flying Scot
5.8 kts
Lightning
5.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Wild Duck 19 ★
Com-Pac 19
Flying Scot
8.0
Lightning
7.6
Find a Wild Duck 19 For Sale