Buccaneer Sailboat Clones

Article By Jim Perry

There are 3 boats that add to confusion in the name buccaneer one of which does not even have the name Buccaneer.

A Buccaneer 18 dingy that has a beam of 6 ft. that has had many manufacturers.

Then there is a Buccaneer 180 that has a beam of 6.75 and a draft of 2 ft. built by Bayliner.

Then there is a US 18 that has a beam of 6.75 ft. but a draft of 3.20 ft. ------- Both US 18 and Bayliner look alike but sail very differently. The difference being mainly in draft and sail plan. ( there are also differences internally)

Bayliner Buccaneer 180 being a taller rig and a smaller keel and SA 134 sf ( not as stable and possably better up wind. Bayliner ( Bayliner Buccaneer 180 was also sued but won the suit by people that over loaded a 180 and caused water to come into the boat from the top of the trunk. People were killed and a fix was sent to owners of this boat.) Properly loaded there is not a problem.

The US 18 is a shorter rig and a deeper keel and SA at 127 ft Thus more stable and better on a reach or down wind.

The us 18 and B 180 hull is built well and strong and at 525 lbs is easily pulled by most any small car. I have modified this boat with a hatch and two quarter births rather than the V birth designed. A small porta potty can be secured under the hatch and when in use the view is great! There is also room for gear, sails and a small ice chest. A small kicker of trolling motor pushes the boat along very easily.

With the keel up on this boat I have sailed and motored from Lake Mead Marina into the Grand Canyon almost to the last Rapids. This is a wonderful trip that larger boats would be hard pressed to accomplish.