Designed by the prestigious Sparkman & Stephens naval architecture firm, this compact dinghy represents quality engineering in a small package. Built by Howmar Boats Inc. beginning in 1983, the Howmar 12 features fiberglass construction and a fractional sloop rig configuration that makes it both durable and manageable for sailors of varying experience levels. At just over 12 feet in length with a centerboard design, this boat excels as a day sailor and training platform. The moderate beam of 5 feet provides decent stability while maintaining easy trailering capabilities. With 90 square feet of sail area and a displacement of 175 pounds, the boat offers spirited performance in light to moderate conditions, making it ideal for protected waters, small lakes, and coastal sailing in favorable weather. The S&S pedigree brings thoughtful design elements typically found in larger yachts, scaled appropriately for this size vessel. The centerboard configuration allows for shallow water exploration and easy launching from beaches or ramps. Its lightweight construction and manageable size make it an excellent choice for sailing instruction, weekend recreation, or as a tender for larger vessels. The Howmar 12 suits sailors seeking a quality small boat with classic design lineage.
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What is the Howmar 12's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Howmar 12 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 46.06. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Howmar 12's comfort ratio?
The Howmar 12 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 2.89. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Howmar 12 safe for offshore sailing?
The Howmar 12 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 3.58. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Howmar 12?
The theoretical hull speed of the Howmar 12 is 4.33 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Howmar 12 weigh?
The Howmar 12 has a displacement of 175.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 12.17 ft.
Who designed the Howmar 12?
The Howmar 12 was designed by S&S, first built in 1983.