Designed by Martin Bludworth and built by Maudlin And Son Manufacturing from 1970 to 1978, this compact fiberglass sloop represents solid American small boat craftsmanship from the era. The swing keel configuration makes it particularly attractive for shallow water sailing and easy trailering, allowing owners to explore protected bays, lakes, and coastal areas that might challenge deeper-draft vessels. With its fractional sloop rig and 163 square feet of sail area pushing 900 pounds of displacement, the Gulf Coast 18 offers sprightly performance for day sailing and weekend adventures. The 325-pound ballast provides adequate stability for a boat of this size, while the swing keel design allows for beaching and launching from shallow ramps. The 6.17-foot beam creates a reasonably roomy cockpit for an 18-footer, making it comfortable for small crews. This design suits coastal cruising, lake sailing, and casual racing, though its light displacement and moderate comfort ratio of 7.67 indicate it's best kept in protected waters. The capsize screening formula of 2.56 suggests reasonable seaworthiness for near-shore conditions. For sailors seeking an affordable, trailerable boat that combines decent performance with shallow-water capability, the Gulf Coast 18 delivers vintage charm with practical versatility.
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What is the Gulf Coast 18's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Gulf Coast 18 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 28.03. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Gulf Coast 18's comfort ratio?
The Gulf Coast 18 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 7.67. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Gulf Coast 18 safe for offshore sailing?
The Gulf Coast 18 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.56. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Gulf Coast 18?
The theoretical hull speed of the Gulf Coast 18 is 5.22 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Gulf Coast 18 weigh?
The Gulf Coast 18 has a displacement of 900.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 18.00 ft.
Who designed the Gulf Coast 18?
The Gulf Coast 18 was designed by Martin Bludworth, first built in 1970.