sailboatModel.seo.titleForSale

specs.hullType.full

specs.rigType.short

—

specs.loa.abbr

11.32' · 3.45 m

specs.displacement.short

110 lbs · 50 kg

sailboatModel.firstYear

1963

In 1963, the British maritime landscape was undergoing a profound shift as traditional timber boatbuilding began giving way to the possibilities of glassreinforced plastic. It was during this pioneering era that legendary naval architect Ian Proctor—the mastermind behind iconic dinghies like the Wayfarer, Gull, and Topper—penned the Firebird. Designed as a compact, responsive, and easily managed twoperson sailing dinghy, the Proctor Firebird was built to bridge the gap between stable family dayboating and lively, tactical club racing. Commissioned for construction by the Hampshirebased boatyard J. L. Gmach & Co. Ltd., a firm already renowned for its highcaliber craftsmanship in fiberglass, the Firebird emerged as a durable and lowmaintenance alternative to the plywood kit boats that dominated the postwar sailing boom.