Skud 18 Information, Review, Specs

Xtreme Sailing Products, founded in 1993 by active sailors Tim Ross and Paul, has a strong reputation for producing robust, high-performance, and training dinghies that strictly adhere to international class rules. Their manufacturing ethos, centered on "quality sailcraft at an exceptional price," aligns well with the Skud 18's design goals of accessibility and high performance.

History and Design

The Skud 18 began its production run in 2005, emerging from a collaborative design process aimed at creating a high-performance yet universally accessible sailing craft. The "SKUD" in its name stands for "SKiff of Universal Design," underscoring its foundational principle: to enable disabled sailors to compete at an elite level. This design philosophy was critical in its adoption by the International Federation for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) for the Paralympic Games.

The boat features a modern stayed rig and a tube-launched asymmetrical gennaker, characteristic of performance skiffs. While Xtreme Sailing Products excels in precision manufacturing rather than original design, their involvement ensures that Skud 18s meet the rigorous standards necessary for competitive sailing. The Skud 18 has seen some variations during its production, with common combinations including MkI hulls fitted with MkII masts and booms, indicating ongoing development and refinement within the one-design class.

Sailing Performance and Handling

Despite its relatively compact length overall of just over 19 feet (5.8 meters) and a waterline length of 18.04 feet, the Skud 18 is engineered for high performance. Its monohull design features a lifting keel, allowing for both deeper draft for stability while sailing and the ability to reduce draft for easier launching and retrieval. With a reported sail area of 164 square feet for its main and an impressive 223.8 square feet for its spin, the Skud 18 is configured as a fractional sloop, designed to be quick and responsive. The boat's light displacement of 734 pounds, coupled with 359 pounds of ballast, contributes to its lively performance and stability. It has a calculated hull speed of 5.69 knots.

Specifically designed for two sailors who are typically seated on the centerline, the Skud 18's handling emphasizes precise control and balance, even with adapted sailing methods. Its performance-oriented design allows for exhilarating sailing, making it a challenging yet rewarding boat for competitive sailors.

Accommodations and Layout

As a dedicated racing dinghy, the Skud 18 does not feature traditional interior accommodations found in cruising sailboats. Instead, its layout is focused entirely on the racing cockpit, designed for optimal functionality for two sailors, often with disabilities. The most defining characteristic is the requirement for two sailors to be seated on the centerline, which is a strict rule for Paralympic competition.

The cockpit is open and uncluttered, facilitating efficient sail handling and crew movement within the confined space. Accessories for the Skud 18 can include cockpit consoles, and fixed or canting seats, all designed to enhance control and comfort for the sailors. While specific details on finish quality or materials for a "cabin" are irrelevant here, the overall construction, typically fiberglass solid for both hull and deck, is robust and built to withstand the rigors of competitive racing. Ventilation is naturally abundant in its open design.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners and sailors of the Skud 18 often affiliate through their National Access Class Associations (NACAs), highlighting a strong community driven by competitive sailing. The Skud 18 is widely praised for its high-performance capabilities and its role in providing a competitive platform for disabled sailors. Its design as a strict one-design class ensures fair competition, a significant strength consistently valued by its owners and the sailing community. Being a high-performance sailboat, owners are advised to exercise caution ashore near overhead power cables and during lifting, launching, and retrieving. A common operational consideration for owners relates to the keel lifter plate and transom gudgeons, which are key components for the lifting keel system.