Salt 19 Information, Review, Specs

Boat drawing
Make
Model
Number Built
Production Year(s)
1977 - ??

The Salt 19 is a distinctive small sailboat designed for coastal cruising and day-sailing, emerging from the American yard Salt Marine Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With its traditional gaffhead sloop rig and long keel, the Salt 19 offers a blend of classic aesthetics and manageable performance for those seeking a straightforward and stable sailing experience. Built by a company for which public records offer a notably sparse account, the Salt 19 represents a niche offering from a less-documented chapter of American boatbuilding.

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History and Design

Production of the Salt 19 commenced in 1977. However, detailed information regarding the boat's specific designer or the philosophical underpinnings of its creation is not widely available in public records. Similarly, the builder, Salt Marine Inc., is no longer in business, and specifics about its manufacturing ethos during the Salt 19's production era, or any significant variations introduced during its run, remain largely unchronicled. What is known is that the Salt 19 was constructed with a solid fiberglass hull and deck, ensuring durability in its build. Its overall length of 19 feet (approximately 5.79 meters) extends to 24 feet when accounting for its bowsprit.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Salt 19 is characterized as a moderate weight sailboat, generally considered a reasonably good performer for its size. Its long keel design contributes to strong directional stability, making it track well through the water. This hull form, combined with a transom-hung rudder, offers predictable handling, though perhaps with less agility than a fin-keel design. Owners might appreciate its stability and stiffness, traits that instill confidence, particularly in varied conditions. The boat’s compact dimensions and design allow it to navigate harbors with limited space, enhancing its appeal as a versatile coastal vessel. It has a low righting capability if capsized.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its compact size, the interior accommodations of the Salt 19 are notably minimal. The boat is equipped with a modest 5-gallon fresh water capacity. Publicly available specifications indicate zero headroom, and no dedicated cabins or berths, suggesting a very open and basic cuddy cabin or an entirely open cockpit design with provision for basic shelter rather than extensive overnighting facilities. While this limits extended cruising comfort, it aligns with a boat primarily intended for day sails or short overnight trips where simplicity is key. Descriptions or photos of the interior layout are scarce, reinforcing the notion of a fundamentally spartan arrangement focused on essential utility.

Measurements

Construction & Hull

Construction Material
Fiberglass (Solid)
Hull Type
Monohull Sailboat
Keel Type
Long
Rudder
1x Transom-Hung
Ballast
1000 lbs
Displacement
2700 lbs
Water Capacity
5 gal
Fuel Capacity
-

Engine

Engine Make
Engine Model
Engine Type
Engine HP
Engine Count
1
Drive Type
Fuel Type
Hover over a measurement
IJPE FS LOALWL

Rig & Sails

Rig Type
Gaffhead Sloop
P (Main Luff)
-
E (Main Foot)
-
I (Foretriangle Height)
-
J (Foretriangle Base)
-
Forestay Length (est)
-
Main Sail Area
-
Foretriangle Sail Area
-
Total Sail Area (Reported)
201 sqft
Total Sail Area (Calc)
-

Dimensions

LOA
19 ft
LWL
16.83 ft
Beam
7 ft
Draft
2 ft
Max Headroom
-
Air Draft
-

Calculations

Hull Speed
5.5 kn
Pounds per Inch Immersion
420.95