Designed by legendary British naval architect Uffa Fox in 1952, this compact wooden dinghy represents classic post-war small boat design at its finest. Built by Fairey Marine Ltd., the Duckling earned recognition as an excellent training and recreational sailing vessel, embodying Fox's philosophy of creating seaworthy yet manageable small craft. With its traditional centerboard configuration and simple cat rig, this 9-foot dinghy offers ideal characteristics for beginners and experienced sailors alike. The wooden construction provides classic aesthetics and satisfying craftsmanship, while the modest sail area of 50 square feet ensures manageable power in varying conditions. The centerboard design allows for shallow water exploration and easy beach launching, making it perfect for coastal day sailing, sailing instruction, and leisurely harbor exploration. Uffa Fox's reputation for creating boats that sail well above their size is evident here. The Duckling's proportions suggest a stable yet responsive platform, suitable for single-handed sailing or instruction with two aboard. Its capsize screening formula of 3.08 indicates reasonable stability for its size class. This design appeals to sailors seeking traditional wooden boat character combined with proven seaworthiness in protected waters and mild coastal conditions.
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What is the Duckling's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Duckling has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 29.69. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Duckling's comfort ratio?
The Duckling has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 4.21. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Duckling safe for offshore sailing?
The Duckling has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 3.08. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Duckling?
The theoretical hull speed of the Duckling is 3.71 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Duckling weigh?
The Duckling has a displacement of 140.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 9.00 ft.
Who designed the Duckling?
The Duckling was designed by Uffa Fox, first built in 1952.