Defender 15 Information, Review, Specs

The Defender 15 emerged during a pivotal era for yacht building, as fiberglass became the material of choice for production sailboats, offering durability and reduced maintenance compared to traditional wood. Jachtwerf F. Dekker en Zonen, operating from Amsterdam, quickly established a reputation for building sturdy and reliable fiberglass vessels, aligning with the design principles brought by Gaubert and Mauric. The collaboration with these esteemed designers underscored the shipyard's commitment to professional design and modern construction techniques. The Defender 15's design was inherently tied to the International Offshore Rule (IOR), which governed racing yachts of the time. An interesting evolution in the Defender series saw the Defender 15's hull form become the basis for the larger Defender 27, achieved by adding more freeboard and an entirely new deck and coachroof. This lineage highlights the foundational success and adaptability of the original Defender 15 design.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a masthead sloop with a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, the Defender 15 was engineered for a blend of responsiveness and stability typical of IOR 1/4 ton designs of its era. Its relatively deep draft for its size, at 4.16 feet, would contribute to good upwind performance and reduced leeway. The fin keel design is indicative of a boat intended to be agile and responsive, allowing for quicker tacking and maneuvering. While specific anecdotes about its handling are not widely documented, its classification as an IOR 1/4 ton vessel suggests it was designed to be competitive in racing, implying a certain level of performance and balance under sail. Given its compact length overall of 26.25 feet and a displacement of 4400 lbs, the Defender 15 would likely exhibit the lively motion of a smaller boat, making it well-suited for coastal day-sailing or shorter cruising excursions where its maneuverability and direct handling could be fully appreciated.