Description
The Swift 18 (also known as the Swiftcraft Swift 18) is a popular British trailerable pocket cruiser / micro-cruiser sailboat, designed by Colin Sylvester and introduced at the 1981 Southampton Boat Show. Originally conceived to comply with the French Micro Cupper rules (a class for fast, affordable mini-racers around 5–6m), it evolved into a versatile, comfortable weekend cruiser that's fast, seaworthy, and easy to launch/retrieve. Built by Swift Boats Ltd. / John Charnley Associates (and later associated with Honnor Marine), production ran roughly from 1981–1990, with fiberglass hulls after an initial aluminum prototype proved impractical.
It's beloved in the UK for its "Goldilocks" qualities: lightweight enough to tow with a small car, shallow draft for easy ramp launching, surprisingly roomy accommodations (sleeps 2–4), and excellent sailing performance—lively in a breeze, balanced, and capable in Force 6–7 winds with reefs. Owners describe it as vice-free, dry, and fun, with good upwind ability for its size and a reputation for being nearly unsinkable (built-in buoyancy to float when swamped, even with crew).
