In 1966, Herb Stewart of Inglewood, California, bought a Potter, took molds from it, and founded HMS Marine to build a fiberglass version. The company became International Marine in 1976. By 1980, the hull had been slightly modified into the 15-foot model, with a 5-foot 6-inch beam and a published weight of 475 pounds.
More than 4,000 West Wight Potters of all sizes have been built, and the marque has been marketed for more than 42 years to sailors who value simplicity over speed. Owners are proud enough of their choice to call themselves Potter Yachters. Notable passages include a single-handed voyage from California to Hawaii and a full transit of the Mississippi River.
Design and Lineage
The Potter 15 is a gentle evolution of Smith’s 14-footer rather than an entirely new design. The original measured 14 feet overall, had a 5-foot 3-inch beam, and weighed 540 pounds naked. The later boat gained six inches in length and three inches in beam, while its published weight is 475 pounds with the keel.
That retractable steel keel weighs 100 pounds in the Potter 15’s specification, although published figures for the type run as high as 165 pounds. Draft is 6 inches with the keel raised and 3 feet with it lowered. This allows the boat to slip into shoal spots that would otherwise be out of reach for a trailerable cruiser.
The whole package can be towed behind even a small compact car, and half an hour is enough time to launch and rig it.
Rig and Sail Plan
The early Potter 14 carried a Gunter rig. By 1975, it had changed to a Bermuda rig. Further revisions followed by 1980: the mainsail roach was increased, a full-length top batten was added, and the jib was enlarged slightly, raising total sail area from 72 to 87 square feet.
The Potter 15’s specification lists a 64-square-foot main, a 23-square-foot jib, a 43-square-foot genoa, and an 85-square-foot spinnaker flown from a 64-inch pole. The 15-foot 6-inch mast rises above the deck without a backstay or lower shrouds. The forestay measures 146 inches, while the upper shrouds measure 148 5/8 inches.
The sail-area-displacement ratio climbs from 17.4 on the 14 to 22.9 on the 15. Even with a normal 400-pound load of crew and gear, the 15 still comes in at 15.2, compared with the 14’s 12. That larger sail plan gives the newer boat better performance, particularly in light air. When conditions cooperate, it sails comfortably at 4.5 to 5 knots, and it’s hard to find a drier ride in a boat this size.
Cockpit and Accommodations
The cabin has two 6-foot 6-inch berths and enough space for two adults to sleep in reasonable comfort. There’s sitting headroom over the bunks, while the sole-to-deckhead height at the aft end is less than four feet, matching the 3-foot 9-inch aft cabin height.
There’s no galley, and the porta-potti has space but no privacy. Storage under the berths is reasonable.
Above, the cockpit is more than five feet long. The builder claims four people can be crammed in, although two adults and perhaps a child are a more realistic limit. The cabin top extends nearly to the hull sides, so anyone going forward must step over it. Most models have handrails there, but typically no lifelines.
Auxiliary Power and Practical Cautions
Auxiliary power isn’t standard. Most boats use a transom-mounted bracket with a two-to-four-horsepower outboard. Larger motors are impractical and simply put too much weight on a 475-pound hull.
The boat’s other known quirks are mostly matters of scale rather than defects. The lack of lifelines and the route over the cabin demand careful footing when moving forward. Published weights for the retractable steel keel also vary, so a buyer should verify what hangs below rather than relying on a single specification.
Refits and Ownership
Owners have quietly improved their boats over the decades. The most visible deck change was an adjustment to the cockpit coaming height in the early 1970s. Many Potter Yachters have also added canvas cockpit tents for extended cruising.
International Marine reported its most productive year in 2000. An active owner community continues to keep these small boats in service well beyond ordinary expectations for their size.
The Verdict
The West Wight Potter 15 is a thoroughly considered miniature cruiser. It’s light enough to tow on a whim, shallow enough to explore almost anywhere, and its sail plan delivers lively light-air performance for a 475-pound boat.
It isn’t for sailors who want a galley, privacy, or lifelines. But as a simple trailerable camper—one whose owners have taken the type across oceans and along major rivers—it’s hard to fault.
Pros
- Retractable steel keel provides 6-inch shoal draft when raised and 3-foot draft when lowered
- Sail-area-displacement ratio of 22.9 supports lively light-air performance
- Sleeps two adults in reasonable comfort, with storage under the berths
- Can be towed behind a small car and rigged in half an hour
Cons
- No lifelines, and the over-cabin route forward demands care on deck
- No galley and no privacy for a porta-potti
- Larger outboards are impractical and too heavy for the hull
