Shipmate Dayboat Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Shipmate Dayboat is a Bermuda-rigged centerboarder that behaves more like a stable, forgiving dinghy than a traditional heavy-keel yacht. With a displacement of approximately 410 kg (900 lbs) and a relatively low ballast ratio of around 13%, the boat is notably responsive and "flighty," according to owner reports documented by the Shipmate Association. It lacks the directional stability of a long-keel cruiser, meaning it requires a constant hand on the tiller and will round up or gybe quickly if left unattended.

Under sail, the boat is surprisingly capable in light to moderate air, utilizing a sail area of roughly 9.7 square meters (104 sq. ft.). However, its light weight and centerboard design make it tender in heavy weather; experienced owners typically recommend reefing early, often once winds exceed Force 4. Its shallow draft—just 0.29m (approx. 11 inches) with the plate raised—allows it to navigate extremely thin water and dry out on its bilge runners, a feature that has made it a favorite for exploring estuaries and tidal rivers.

Interior Comfort & Variations

Despite its designation as a "Dayboat," the model features an enclosed cuddy cabin that offers rudimentary overnight accommodation. In the original Mark 1 Dayboat, the interior was basic, featuring duckboards to level the floor. The Mark 2 Dayboat improved this with a more integrated floor molding. The "Dayboat" variant specifically prioritizes a larger, more open cockpit, leaving the cabin as a "sit-in" space with long flat berths (essentially cushions on the floor) divided by the centerboard case.

Its primary sibling, the Shipmate Senior, utilizes the same hull but features a larger, higher coachroof. This variation provides significantly more sitting headroom and often includes raised bunks, making it the preferred choice for multi-day cruising. A third, rarer sibling is the Privateer, which is effectively a 19-foot "stretched" version of the Shipmate hull designed by Howard to provide even more internal volume and seaworthiness.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Shipmate has maintained a presence in British yachting literature, with technical reviews appearing in Practical Boat Owner (January 1976) and Yachting Monthly (May 1976). Its most notable modern achievement occurred in 2003, when a Shipmate completed a full circumnavigation of England and Wales via the Forth and Clyde Canal, a testament to the design's durability on long-range coastal ventures.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

• Centerplate Bolt: In models built before 1975 (for the Senior) and 1978 (for the Dayboat), the centerplate pivot bolt was located lower on the keel. This kept the bolt permanently immersed, leading to accelerated corrosion and potential leaks. Later models moved the bolt higher up the casing to avoid this issue.
• Lifting Mechanism: The centerplate is a heavy steel plate. The wire or rope lifting tackle and its attachment point should be inspected for fraying or structural fatigue, as a failure can make the plate impossible to retrieve without hauling the boat.
• Rudder/Propeller Interference: A common design quirk is the proximity of the transom-mounted rudder to the outboard motor. Buyers should check the leading edge of the rudder for gouges caused by the outboard propeller, as the two can strike one another during tight maneuvers.
• Keel Runners: The boat is designed to sit on its hull. Inspect the "runners" or bilge strips for excessive wear or thinning of the GRP, especially if the boat was frequently kept on a drying mooring or "run up" onto sandy beaches.

Community & Resources

The Shipmate Association serves as the primary technical repository for the class, maintaining historical records, sail numbers, and a registry of the approximately 300 Dayboats and 120 Seniors produced across different yards.

The Verdict

The Shipmate Dayboat is a quintessential "smiles per pound" vessel, offering the simplicity of a dinghy with the adventurous potential of a micro-cruiser.

Pros:

• Easily trailed and launched by a single person with a standard family car.
• Extremely shallow draft and bilge runners allow for cheap, tidal moorings.
• Classic, attractive lines that stand out among modern GRP dinghies.

Cons:

• "Flighty" handling requires constant attention to the helm.
• Limited ballast makes it less suitable for exposed, offshore conditions.
• Small interior cabin in the Dayboat version is best suited for "camping-style" cruising.