Mermaid Class Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

Production of the Mermaid Class spanned from 1947 to 1963, a period when Mount Desert Yacht Yard, under the visionary leadership of E. Farnham Butler, was transforming from a local service hub into a distinguished design and building facility. Butler's personal involvement was significant, as he himself constructed a Mermaid sloop in 1949, underscoring the model's importance in the yard's early boatbuilding endeavors. The yard was known for its commitment to traditional wooden construction, often utilizing strip-planking techniques to create lightweight yet robust hulls. The Mermaid Class, conceived as a one-design racing boat, aligned with the yard's broader philosophy of developing light displacement vessels that offered both performance and practical utility. While information on specific design variations during its production run is not widely documented, the class maintained its core design integrity for consistent one-design racing.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a 23-foot fractional sloop with a fin keel, the Mermaid Class was designed for spirited sailing. With a reported sail area of 194 square feet and a displacement of 2200 pounds, the boat possesses a sail area to displacement ratio that suggests good performance, particularly in lighter air conditions. Its ballast-to-displacement ratio of over 42 percent indicates a stable platform for its size, allowing it to stand up well to a breeze. These characteristics, combined with its one-design status, point to a boat that is balanced and responsive, providing consistent handling for competitive racing. Owners could expect a lively and engaging sailing experience from this classic design, reflecting the Mount Desert Yacht Yard's focus on performance within its traditional wooden construction.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its compact 23-foot length overall and slender 5.75-foot beam, the Mermaid Class was primarily conceived for day sailing and competitive racing rather than extended cruising. Consequently, interior accommodations are modest. The design likely features a basic cuddy cabin or a simple open layout below decks, providing minimal shelter. Due to its dimensions, the Mermaid Class would not have offered standing headroom, focusing instead on optimizing its sailing characteristics and deck space for racing crews. Storage would be limited to small lockers, suitable for stowing essential gear for short outings. The interior finish, consistent with the builder's traditional approach, would have emphasized functional wooden elements.