Shipmate Dayboat Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

The Shipmate Dayboat is a classic British trailer-sailer designed by the late Norman Howard and introduced in the early 1970s. Originally manufactured by Smallcraft of Blockley (with GRP work by Bourne Plastics), the design was conceived as a versatile, easy-to-tow vessel that bridged the gap between a high-performance dinghy and a small coastal cruiser. Though compact at just over 16 feet, it established a dedicated following for its ability to handle "proper" coastal passages, including documented voyages across the Bristol Channel and around the Western Isles. The model was produced in two distinct deck configurations—the Dayboat and the Senior—both sharing the same hull and rig but offering different balances between cockpit space and cabin volume. Production later transitioned to the Seaborne Yacht Co. Ltd in the early 1980s, which utilized a heavier GRP layup, before the molds were eventually retired.