The result is a trailerable centerboarder that one person can launch and rig, with a sheltered, if low-slung, interior for coastal wandering.
Design and Construction
Bingham’s styling is evident in the plumb stem and stretched-out waterline. Together, they extract useful living and sailing length from a hull measuring just over 18 feet on deck.
The Eclipse has a very flat bottom and soft chines that carry the waterline beam well outboard. This form trades the softer ride of a round bilge for noticeable initial stability when the crew is seated or sprawled inside. The solid-fiberglass hull and deck follow the builder’s established practice.
A shallow molded keel houses the centerboard trunk beneath the sole, leaving the cabin floor clear. With the board down, draft increases to a weatherly 5 feet 2 inches; retracted, it falls to 1 foot 6 inches for trailering or gunkholing.
At the stern, an open transom borrowed from larger charter boats provides a clear step between cockpit and water. A fold-down stainless-steel ladder provides a way back aboard.
Rig and Handling
The fractional sloop rig is designed around easy trailering rather than racing adjustments. The trademarked Mastendr system combines a pinned mast hinge above the furled mainsail, quick-release levers that slacken the standing rigging, and a stainless-steel gin pole. Once the mast is lowered onto the stern arch, it can be unpinned and slid forward to balance the trailer overhangs. Cruising World found that the boat could be converted from sailer to trailer singlehanded if necessary.
The stern arch serves several purposes. It lifts the mainsheet clear of the cockpit, carries a bimini, acts as boom gallows, and supports the mast on the road. The mainsheet runs forward along the boom and then back to a cabin-top cleat, helping keep the cockpit uncluttered. A kick-down rudder completes the shallow-water, trailer-friendly package.
The Eclipse carries 200 square feet of sail against a displacement of 2,200 pounds and 700 pounds of ballast. That modest sail plan is enough to move the light hull without overwhelming a short-handed crew.
Accommodations
Below, the Eclipse feels more like a padded nook than a conventional cabin. Cushioned horizontal surfaces occupy most of the interior, giving it a playpen-like character. Because the centerboard trunk sits beneath the sole, the floor remains open, making it easy to sit or lounge. Standing room, however, is confined to the hatch.
The galley is an exercise in space-saving design. Lift one cushion to uncover the sink and another to reach the stove. The countertop between them flips over, allowing the stove to brace against its underside, now facing upward.
The boat carries 5 gallons of water, enough to support simple overnight use without pretending to be a miniature ocean liner.
Equipment and Power
Auxiliary power comes from an optional outboard mounted on a transom bracket. Its portable 6.5-gallon fuel tank fits in the starboard cockpit locker, away from foot traffic.
Together, the open transom, arch-mounted canvas points, compact galley, and low cabin emphasize the Eclipse’s day-sailer-with-berths character rather than any bluewater ambition.
The Verdict
The Eclipse is a focused boat: a trailerable pocket cruiser that one person can launch and convert from sailing to road mode. Its cushion-stowed galley and centerboard trunk beneath the sole make efficient use of the interior, while Bingham’s plumb bow and stretched waterline provide more usable boat than the short length might suggest.
Its flat-bottomed, beamy form favors stability and simplicity over offshore seagoing. The low headroom will best suit sailors who are comfortable camping afloat rather than standing below to cook.
Pros
- Mastendr mast-lowering system allows a singlehanded sail-to-trailer transition
- Centerboard retracts to an 18-inch draft and extends to 5 feet 2 inches for windward work
- Galley hidden beneath cushions, with a reversible countertop, keeps the cabin open and playful
- Open transom and folding ladder make swimming and boarding easier
Cons
- Headroom is limited to the hatch; standing below is impossible
- Unabashedly small, with only 200 square feet of sail and 5 gallons of water
- Auxiliary power comes only from an optional outboard
