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Wildfire
Designer: Ian Proctor  ·  Builder: O'day Corp. (Usa)/ Gmach & Co. (Uk)  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Wildfire

Compact, nimble, and designed with accessibility in mind, the Wildfire is a small sailboat that has found favour among entry-level sailors and those seeking an uncomplicated daysailing experience. Built for calm to moderate conditions, it suits sheltered inland waters, lakes, and protected coastal bays, making it an appealing choice for beginners developing their skills or experienced sailors looking for a relaxed, low-maintenance option. Without an extensive published specification sheet, the Wildfire's appeal likely rests on its simplicity and ease of handling rather than performance benchmarks. Boats in this category typically reward sailors who value intuitive responsiveness and manageable rigging over technical complexity, and the Wildfire appears to follow that tradition. Its modest scale makes it practical to trailer, store, and maintain, reducing the overhead that often accompanies boat ownership. For those researching their first boat or a casual weekend vessel, the Wildfire represents a straightforward entry point into sailing. Prospective buyers are encouraged to inspect available examples carefully and consult class associations or previous owners to gain a fuller picture of the boat's condition and long-term ownership experience.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 16.75 ft / 5.11 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
Beam 6.25 ft / 1.91 m
Max Draft 3.92 ft / 1.19 m
Displacement 620.00 lb / 281 kg
Ballast 250.00 lb / 113 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ian Proctor
Builder O'Day Corp. (USA)/ Gmach & Co. (UK)
First Built 1968
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
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
40.32
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
82.01
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. 2.01 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 0.92 ft / 0.28 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 165.00 ft² / 15.33 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 82.01
How It Compares

vs. Day Sailer Ii, Daysailer, Leisure 17, Seahawk 17, Windjammer 17

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Wildfire ★
16.8 ft
Day Sailer Ii
16.8 ft
Daysailer
16.8 ft
Leisure 17
17.0 ft
Seahawk 17
16.8 ft
Windjammer 17
16.8 ft
LWL
Wildfire ★
15.0 ft
Day Sailer Ii
15.5 ft
Daysailer
15.5 ft
Leisure 17
14.0 ft
Seahawk 17
14.4 ft
Windjammer 17
14.7 ft
Beam
Wildfire ★
6.3 ft
Day Sailer Ii
6.3 ft
Daysailer
6.3 ft
Leisure 17
7.0 ft
Seahawk 17
6.5 ft
Windjammer 17
6.3 ft
Displacement
Wildfire ★
620 lbs
Day Sailer Ii
575 lbs
Daysailer
575 lbs
Leisure 17
1 lbs
Seahawk 17
1 lbs
Windjammer 17
250 lbs
Ballast
Wildfire ★
250 lbs
Day Sailer Ii
Daysailer
Leisure 17
550 lbs
Seahawk 17
441 lbs
Windjammer 17
Sail Area
Wildfire ★
Day Sailer Ii
Daysailer
Leisure 17
148 sq ft
Seahawk 17
115 sq ft
Windjammer 17
158 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Wildfire ★
Day Sailer Ii
Daysailer
Leisure 17
18.3
Seahawk 17
16.3
Windjammer 17
63.8
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Wildfire ★
Day Sailer Ii
Daysailer
Leisure 17
11.5
Seahawk 17
10.1
Windjammer 17
2.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Wildfire ★
Day Sailer Ii
Daysailer
Leisure 17
2.46
Seahawk 17
2.45
Windjammer 17
4.02
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Wildfire ★
82
Day Sailer Ii
68
Daysailer
68
Leisure 17
Seahawk 17
Windjammer 17
Hull Speed
Wildfire ★
Day Sailer Ii
Daysailer
Leisure 17
5.0 kts
Seahawk 17
5.1 kts
Windjammer 17
5.1 kts
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