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Windrose 18
Designer: Shad Turner  ·  Builder: Laguna Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1974
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About the Windrose 18

A compact and nimble daysailer, the Windrose 18 is designed for sailors who want an accessible and enjoyable experience on the water without the complexity of a larger vessel. Built for inshore and coastal sailing, this boat suits weekend sailors, beginners building their confidence, and experienced sailors looking for a low-maintenance option for relaxed outings on protected waters. With its manageable size, the Windrose 18 is easy to trailer, launch, and rig, making it a practical choice for those who want spontaneous access to the water without the demands of a permanent berth. Its modest footprint keeps costs down while still delivering a genuine sailing experience with responsive handling. While detailed specifications are limited, the Windrose 18 appears to occupy a familiar niche in the small sailboat market — approachable enough for novice sailors yet capable of rewarding those with more experience who appreciate a spirited sail. For buyers seeking a straightforward, fun, and versatile small sailboat for day trips and light coastal exploration, the Windrose 18 is a worthy candidate to research further.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 18.50 ft / 5.64 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 15.83 ft / 4.82 m
Beam 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Max Draft 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
Displacement 1,500.00 lb / 680 kg
Ballast 400.00 lb / 181 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Shad Turner
Builder Laguna Yachts (USA)
First Built 1974
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
288
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
26.67
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
168.81
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. 2.37 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 1.00 ft / 0.30 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 7.75 ft / 2.36 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 151.00 ft² / 14.03 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 168.81
How It Compares

vs. Hunter 185, Precision 185, Victoria 18

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Windrose 18 ★
18.5 ft
Hunter 185
18.4 ft
Precision 185
18.4 ft
Victoria 18
18.5 ft
LWL
Windrose 18 ★
15.8 ft
Hunter 185
15.5 ft
Precision 185
16.7 ft
Victoria 18
12.8 ft
Beam
Windrose 18 ★
7.0 ft
Hunter 185
7.1 ft
Precision 185
7.3 ft
Victoria 18
5.5 ft
Displacement
Windrose 18 ★
1 lbs
Hunter 185
1 lbs
Precision 185
880 lbs
Victoria 18
1 lbs
Ballast
Windrose 18 ★
400 lbs
Hunter 185
520 lbs
Precision 185
375 lbs
Victoria 18
550 lbs
Sail Area
Windrose 18 ★
Hunter 185
176 sq ft
Precision 185
181 sq ft
Victoria 18
134 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Windrose 18 ★
288 s/nm
Hunter 185
Precision 185
Victoria 18
297 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Windrose 18 ★
Hunter 185
20.6
Precision 185
31.6
Victoria 18
19.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Windrose 18 ★
26.7 %
Hunter 185
32.5 %
Precision 185
42.6 %
Victoria 18
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Windrose 18 ★
Hunter 185
11.1
Precision 185
5.6
Victoria 18
13.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Windrose 18 ★
Hunter 185
2.42
Precision 185
3.06
Victoria 18
2.07
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Windrose 18 ★
168
Hunter 185
191
Precision 185
84
Victoria 18
Hull Speed
Windrose 18 ★
Hunter 185
5.3 kts
Precision 185
5.5 kts
Victoria 18
4.8 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Windrose 18 ★
Hunter 185
2.9
Precision 185
6.2
Victoria 18
2.4
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