Designed by the Australian duo of John Duncanson and David Rose, this compact cruiser emerged from David Rose Yachts in 1968 as a versatile small boat solution for coastal waters. With 400 hulls produced, the Careel 18 established itself as a popular choice among sailors seeking an affordable entry into cruising. The boat's most distinctive feature is its swing keel configuration, which reduces draft when needed for shallow water exploration while providing stability when deployed. This design makes it particularly well-suited for inland waterways, protected bays, and coastal cruising where varying depths are encountered. The fractional sloop rig delivers manageable sail handling for small crews while maintaining adequate power for light air performance. At 1,720 pounds displacement with 410 pounds of ballast, the Careel 18 strikes a balance between transportability and seaworthiness. The relatively low comfort ratio of 10.6 reflects its quick motion in waves, typical of lighter displacement designs, while the capsize screening value of 2.48 indicates it's best kept in protected waters rather than venturing offshore. With a theoretical hull speed of 5.52 knots and moderate sail area, this fiberglass construction boat excels as a weekend coastal cruiser, sailing trainer, or camp-cruiser for those seeking affordable sailing adventures in sheltered conditions.
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What is the Careel 18's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Careel 18 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 17.98. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Careel 18's comfort ratio?
The Careel 18 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 10.6. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Careel 18 safe for offshore sailing?
The Careel 18 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.48. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Careel 18?
The theoretical hull speed of the Careel 18 is 5.52 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Careel 18 weigh?
The Careel 18 has a displacement of 1,720.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 18.37 ft.
Who designed the Careel 18?
The Careel 18 was designed by John Duncanson/David Rose, first built in 1968.