The Boat

The Boothbay Harbor One Design is a classic 21-foot racing sloop that has been a centerpiece of sailing in coastal Maine since the late 1930s. Designed by renowned naval architect Geerd N. Hendel, this fractional-sloop keelboat was created to promote fair, competitive one-design racing in Boothbay Harbor’s challenging waters.

Although originally crafted with traditional wood planking, many boats today also use modern cold-molded and plywood construction. The BHOD is treasured for its balanced performance, ease of handling, and enduring beauty on the water — qualities that make it equally suited for spirited racing and classic daysailing.

Key Specifications for Performance, Stability, & Comfort:

  • Design: 21-foot fractional sloop

  • Rig: Fractional sloop

  • Draft: Approx. 3.5 ft

  • Construction: Originally wood plank; many built in cold-molded plywood

  • First Built: 1938

  • Number Built: ~57

  • Displacement: ~2,100 lb

  • LOA: 21.00 ft / 6.40 m

  • LWL: 19.75 ft / 6.02 m

  • S.A. (reported): 227.00 ft² / 21.09 m²

  • Beam: 5.50 ft / 1.68 m

  • Displacement: 2,100.00 lb / 953 kg

  • Ballast: 900.00 lb / 408 kg

  • Max Draft: 3.50 ft / 1.07 m

  • S.A. / Displ.: 22.20

  • Bal. / Displ.: 42.86

  • Disp. / Len.: 121.69

  • Comfort Ratio: 16.63

  • Capsize Screening Formula: 1.72

  • Hull Speed: 5.96 kn

  • Pounds per Inch Immersion: 388.13 lb/in