Sea Devil Information, Review, Specs

The Sea Devil began its production in 1966, marking Sears, Roebuck & Co.'s distinctive foray into the marine market as a distributor rather than a traditional builder. Sears, renowned for bringing a vast array of goods directly to consumers via its comprehensive catalogs, applied this same philosophy to boating, offering small recreational craft like the Sea Devil alongside household items. This approach prioritized accessibility and affordability, aligning with Sears' broader mission to make various pursuits realistic for the average American family.

The boat's history evolved significantly after Lockley purchased the boat business from Siltronics in 1970, at which point the Sea Devil was renamed the Snark Sea Skimmer. The mold for the original Sea Devil also produced a similar model known as the Sea Swinger. Snark sailboats, including the Sea Skimmer, gained renown for being unsinkable due to their internal hull construction and were designed to be easily car-toppable, further enhancing their appeal as practical, entry-level vessels. The hull is constructed from durable plastic polyethylene.

Sailing Performance and Handling

Given its modest dimensions with a length overall of 12 feet and a displacement of just 70 pounds, the Sea Devil (Snark Sea Skimmer) is not a vessel for which traditional performance ratios meaningfully apply. Instead, its design emphasizes user-friendliness and recreational fun. The boat is characterized by its lightweight nature, contributing to its "light, fast, easy to sail" reputation. With a calculated hull speed of approximately 4.54 knots, it offers lively performance for its size in suitable conditions.

The Sea Devil is sloop-rigged, featuring both a jib and a mainsail, which provides a good learning platform for aspiring sailors. Its handling is further simplified by a daggerboard and a kick-up rudder, allowing for easy navigation in shallow waters and convenient beaching. Owners often praise its straightforward handling and balanced feel, making it an ideal choice for learning the ropes of sailing on lakes and sheltered bays.

Accommodations and Layout

As a 12-foot open dinghy, the Sea Devil does not feature enclosed accommodations or interior headroom in the traditional sense. Its design is centered around a simple, open cockpit layout that provides functional space for its two-person capacity. The "flat cockpit design" is noted for offering ample legroom, which enhances comfort during sailing, particularly for a small craft of this type. The focus is entirely on the open-air sailing experience, with minimal features beyond essential seating and space for equipment.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Sea Devil, or its later iteration, the Snark Sea Skimmer, frequently highlight its strengths as an "incredibly light and inexpensive sailboat". Many regard it as a "well established classic design," having served as the introductory vessel for a multitude of sailors; indeed, it is often said that "more people have learned to sail on a Snark, than any other recreational sailboat". The ease with which it can be transported, often car-topped, is a consistently praised attribute, allowing owners to access various waterways without the need for a trailer or mooring. Its robust polyethylene hull contributes to its reputation as a durable and low-maintenance option for casual sailing enthusiasts. While comprehensive owner reviews detailing common problems are less prevalent for this type of basic dinghy, the collective sentiment points towards its reliability and suitability as a fun, accessible sailboat for recreational use on calm waters.