Designed by Charles D. Mower in the early 1920s, this classic gaff-rigged sloop represents a charming piece of American sailing history from Long Island's Great South Bay. Built by Samuel Newey between 1923 and 1926, only 40 of these distinctive wooden boats were ever constructed, making them relatively rare finds today. At just over 21 feet overall with a 14-foot waterline, the Shore Bird strikes an appealing balance between manageable size and seaworthy capability. Her traditional gaff sloop rig carries 250 square feet of sail area, providing spirited performance for coastal cruising and daysailing. The keel/centerboard configuration offers versatility in shallow waters typical of bay sailing while maintaining reasonable stability offshore. With a displacement of 1,800 pounds and 350 pounds of ballast, she's built with the substantial feel characteristic of pre-war designs. The comfort ratio of 14.76 suggests a relatively stiff, quick motion suited to experienced sailors, while her capsize screening value of 2.08 indicates good stability for protected coastal waters. This design excels as a weekend coastal cruiser or spirited daysailer for those who appreciate traditional sailing characteristics and craftsmanship. Her wooden construction and classic lines make her particularly appealing to traditionalists seeking an authentic vintage sailing experience.
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What is the Great South Bay Shore Bird's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Great South Bay Shore Bird has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 27.09. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Great South Bay Shore Bird's comfort ratio?
The Great South Bay Shore Bird has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 14.76. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Great South Bay Shore Bird safe for offshore sailing?
The Great South Bay Shore Bird has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.08. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Great South Bay Shore Bird?
The theoretical hull speed of the Great South Bay Shore Bird is 5.01 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Great South Bay Shore Bird weigh?
The Great South Bay Shore Bird has a displacement of 1,800.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 21.08 ft.
Who designed the Great South Bay Shore Bird?
The Great South Bay Shore Bird was designed by Charles D. Mower, first built in 1923.