hurley 18 sailboat

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• Sailboat Guide

Hurley 18 is a 18 ′ 6 ″ / 5.6 m monohull sailboat designed by Ian Anderson and built by Hurley Marine Ltd. between 1963 and 1972.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Before Hurley Marine went out of business the moulds were sold to Russell Curnow of Penzance, Cornwall who continued to build them up until about 1979. The moulds were then bought by Varne Yachts of Nottingham who were later taken over by Weston Boats who then went out of business in 1986. Over 900 H18s were built altogether.

Thanks to Nick Vass and the Hurley Owner Assoc. (site listed above) for images and information about all Hurley models.

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The Hurley 18 shares the same long keel design as its bigger sister the H22, having been designed at the same time. This, together with a good ballast/weight ratio, explains why she has a reputation as a stiff and comfortable boat at sea, with excellent ability to work to windward. 18 ft pocket cruisers will not be expected to have a spacious interior, but the interior layout of the 18 is very realistic in its ambitions, making it a very pleasurable boat. Although they can be found in the UK, over 70% were exported new, mainly to Europe and some to the USA. Having built 377 boats Hurley Marine built the last H18 in 1972 in favour of the bigger Hurley designs coming into production, the H27 in 1971, H24/70 in 1972 and the H30/90 in 1973. Just like the H22, the H18 can best be described as a "proper little ship".

Before Hurley Marine went out of business the moulds were sold to Russell Curnow of Penzance, Cornwall who continued to build them up until about 1979. The moulds were then bought by Varne Yachts of Nottingham who were later taken over by Weston Boats who then went out of business in 1986. Over 900 H18s were built altogether.

The Hurley 18 is a 18.5ft masthead sloop designed by Ian L. Anderson and built in fiberglass by Hurley Marine Ltd. between 1963 and 1972.

377 units have been built..

The Hurley 18 is a heavy sailboat which is a reasonably good performer. It is very stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a day-boat.

Hurley 18 for sale elsewhere on the web:

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Review of Hurley 18

Basic specs..

An outboard motor is often used on this boat. In that case the boat will typically require a power of 2 - 3 hp, alternatively 47 - 57 lbs thrust if you prefer an electrical motor. Electric outboards are becoming popular for sailboat owners who want clean instant power with less noise and no exhaust fumes.

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?

The capsize screening value for Hurley 18 is 2.00, indicating that this boat would not be accepted to participate in ocean races.

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 5.1 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Hurley 18 is about 60 kg/cm, alternatively 336 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 60 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 336 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

What is Displacement Length Ratio?

What is SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio)?

What is Relative Speed Performance?

Maintenance

Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

This section shown boat owner's changes, improvements, etc. Here you might find inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what to look for.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Hurley 18 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

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Hurley Marine Gbr Hurley 18

General Data

Shipbuilder:, see also: boats for sale.

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Overall length:

Waterline length:, maximum beam:, displacement:, straightening:, construction materials:, sail details mq, equipments:.

• Search forums
• Practical Boat Owner's Reader to Reader
• Thread starter evantica
• Start date 2 Mar 2011

Hi. Hear much about H20 and H22. But the H18... any atlantic crossings in this little "ship"? What's your oppinion on such task (offshore that is!) in a Hurley 18?  

Well-known member

can be done with some preparation and skill. Try asking these people:- http://www.hurleyownersassociation.co.uk/pages/h18.htm  

By the looks of it a fine little boat.It enters what I would call the "Barrel syndrome boat" in relation to ocean crossing.Anything will cross the ocean..even little yellow ducks.The problem is the occupant.I would say the big draw back would be having reached the other side there would be little room for guests and partying.  

Active member

We used to have a Hurley 19 (which nobody's ever heard of), which was effectively a Hurley 18 with an extra foot stuck on the back. There are the deep keel Hurleys, which made fabulous ocean trips, and the shallow bilge / triple keel ones which are great for ditch crawling. Ours was a poor example (cost £400), and it certainly wouldn't have been my first choice for an atlantic crossing. The mast cracked in action, which could maybe be expected for a bit of aluminium alloy, with steel fittings, that had spent 40 years bathed in saltwater, but surprised the hell out of me.  

My previous boat was a Hurley 18. I felt it was very seaworthy boat (for its size) and had great faith in it. It was my first boat and it looked after me despite my inexperience. I sold it to a chap who intended to sail it to Spain.  

I'm sure a suitably prepared and handled example could take most that could be thrown at her. On the other hand, I met a youngish couple who were making their way slowly down the French Canals in a Hurley 18, they had everything well organised and she seemed perfectly comfortable for two over many months.  

LittleSister

According to PBO's 'Which Boat', the points in favour of a Hurley 18 (actually 18 and a half feet LOA it says) are 'rugged, heavy-duty cruiser. Stiff, full bodied hull. Adequate fittings. Sensible outboard well'. Against, it said 'Smallish cockpit. Cramped berths. Deep draft'. I thought I had read somewhere that at least one had crosssed the Atlantic. Having previously owned a Hurley 22, I have great faith in Ian Anderson's ability to design a great sea boat (and there's a close family likeness). I would certainly consider buying a Hurley 18, if the circumstances were right (suited home waters, budget, etc.), but it's not the boat I'd want to do the Atlantic in. That's principally because of size. Much as it's POSSIBLE to cross the Atlantic in an 18 footer, you have to leave out much of the safety and comfort gear that I, for one, would want to take (and the Hurley is not the most capacious 18 footer). Even just a small increase in LOA from 18 foot gives you a lot more room. There was a series of articles in PBO a few years ago by Alistair Buchan about preparing his Hurley20 for an Atlantic crossing (and previously various other travels, including Norway, I think). It might be useful to read those, even if you're interested in a Hurley 18, rather than a Hurley 20. They are well written and engaging, and while he's a fan of his Hurley he is not blind to its shortcomings  

Another couple of things to bear in mind. 1) Because of their age, and having been an out of favour type for many years, they will be cheap, but beware it will be extremely unlikely that you will find one that has been well maintained throughout its life. Consequenty you will most likely need to spend considerably more than the purchase price refitting a Hurley 18 for such a trip. 2) Keeping batteries charged is a perennial problem on a boat with a small outboard motor. For a long trip it's a major challenge. Of course you can work round it (or take the Shane Acton approach of dispensing with electrics), but bear it in mind.  

Appriciate your well spoken answers! The load capacity may be of consern?! One of the "ups" is it's a cheap boat = more money for windvane, gear and so on.... One thing more: If I want to put up double "headsail" (?!) on an "extension" of the bow (sorry for my crapy english) How does this do to the sailing stabillity? possible? Think it would be "nice" on downwind sailing?!  

Any other capable samall around 20 foot boats??? Looked at the Kingfisher 20 , but no one in Sweden. to expensive to import. what about the Leisure 17? better/sturdyer than H18?  

None of the boats that you are looking at are designed for ocean crossing. The fact that many have done so is more a tribute to the courrage and resourcefulness of the individual sailors than anything else. Doubt many people use these boats through choice, but more through lack of money for something more suitable.  

Tranona. So very true... But the sunset looks the same in a Hurley 18 for 2 grand, as in a 2000 grand Hallberg rassy. sailing is not for "some" it is for everyone!  

evantica said: Tranona. So very true... But the sunset looks the same in a Hurley 18 for 2 grand, as in a 2000 grand Hallberg rassy. sailing is not for "some" it is for everyone! Click to expand...

Well, I''ve found none other than my last boat, now for sale again: http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/yachts/thompson-t27-PAA11792 It sounds like she's been a little neglected, but 27' for £2750 might be a bargain. A lot depends on condition, and you're sure to need to do a little work, but she would be one of the best boats at this end of the price spectrum to do a transat in. Nearly 6' draft on a 27 footer, with a big bulb at the bottom means she's stiff as a church. She has already sailed across the Atlantic (different preious owner). I've sailed her in some nasty conditions (the video he refers to was me), and she behaved herself perfectly. She is also very very strong. I know this because she broke free of her mooring and bounced around on a pointy rock, in a two foot swell for pretty much 24 hours before I could get her off again. And yet, she was not holed. (She was deeply scratched though, and professionaly repaired - don't worry) We sold her because we moved abroad. I've just bought another boat, but if I were in the market for a boat in this price range again, I'd certainly take a look. (no connection to current vendor - but nice to see that my auld boat is alive and well)  

Today. this one is a possible offshore cruiser? The same as Albin Vega just smaller... 7,10 m long...just 1000 EUR your oppinion? http://www.blocket.se/goteborg/Karlskrona_Viggen_32375201.htm?ca=23_3&w=3  

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