Buccaneer 200
Description
The Buccaneer 200 is a compact, trailerable recreational sailboat designed for day sailing, weekend getaways, or beginner cruising on lakes, bays, or coastal waters. At just over 20 feet, this fiberglass masthead sloop emphasizes affordability, ease of trailering, and simple handling for 2–4 crew. With a wide beam for stability and a shallow shoal-draft keel for beaching, it's forgiving yet capable in light to moderate winds. Introduced during the 1970s boating boom, it appeals to families or solo sailors seeking a low-maintenance entry into sailing without the complexity of larger boats. Designed by renowned Australian naval architect Alan Payne (known for the Soling and other classics) for Bayliner Marine Corporation, the Buccaneer 200 debuted in 1974 as a budget-friendly evolution of the Columbia T-23. It utilized the same hull tooling as the T-23, allowing cost-effective production while incorporating Payne's tweaks for better interior volume and trailering ease. Bayliner, under its Buccaneer/US Yachts brand, marketed it as an "instant sailor" for non-experts, complete with a spacious cockpit and basic cabin. Production ran through the late 1970s (exact numbers unknown, but likely hundreds built), ceasing as Bayliner shifted to powerboats. It's now a cult favorite among vintage boat enthusiasts for its sturdy build and nostalgic charm, though some criticize its upwind performance in light air.
Construction Details
| Designer | Alan Payne |
|---|---|
| Builder | Bayliner |
| Length | 20.420 ft |
| Beam | 8.000 ft |
| Displacement | 2100 lb |
| Ballast | 750 lb |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | 25.80 ft |
|---|---|
| j | 7.60 ft |
| p | 22 ft |
| e | 8.50 ft |
| p2 | - |
| e2 | - |
| i2 | - |
| j2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 | I2 | J2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25.80 ft | 7.60 ft | 22 ft | 8.50 ft | - | - | - | - |
Sails
| Sail Type | MAINSAIL |
|---|---|
| Luff | * 22 ft - (6706 mm) |
| Foot | * 8.5 ft - (2591 mm) |
| Leech | * 23.17 ft - (7062 mm) |
| Tack Angle | * 88 ° |
| Diagonal | * 23.31 ft - (7105 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 4.5 in - (114 mm) |
| Area | * 97.512 ft² |
| Sail Type | JIBSAIL |
|---|---|
| Luff | * 21.52 ft - (6559 mm) |
| Foot | * 9.94 ft - (3030 mm) |
| Leech | * 18.92 ft - (5767 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 115 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 8.74 ft - (2664 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 12 ° |
| Area | * 94.02 ft² |
| Sail Type | GENOA |
|---|---|
| Luff | * 25.56 ft - (7791 mm) |
| Foot | * 12.16 ft - (3706 mm) |
| Leech | * 24.18 ft - (7370 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 150 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 11.4 ft - (3475 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 4 ° |
| Area | * 145.67 ft² |
| Sail Type | DRIFTER |
|---|---|
| Luff | * 25.56 ft - (7791 mm) |
| Foot | * 12.62 ft - (3847 mm) |
| Leech | * 23.15 ft - (7056 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 150 % |
| Length Perp | * 11.4 ft - (3475 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 9 ° |
| Area | * 145.7 ft² |
| Sail Type | SPINNAKER |
|---|---|
| Stays | * 25.56 ft - (7791 mm) |
| MidGirth | * 13.68 ft - (4170 mm) |
| Foot | * 13.68 ft - (4170 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 180 % |
| Area | * 297 ft² |
Disclaimer. Boats are not all the same -- even when produced in the same factory of the same model. Sailrite does its best to publish accurate dimensions, but we often find it worthwhile to have our customers measure their boats carefully before we produce kits for them. You should take the same precautions, especially when the data is not from Sailrite. The information on this site is not guaranteed to be accurate. Sailrite offers this content as a service to our community, but takes no responsibility for the reliability of the data provided.