FLYING SAUCER (ATKIN)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 17.83 ft |
| LWL | 16 ft |
| Beam | 4.67 ft |
| Draft | 2.65 ft |
| Displacement | 800 lb |
| Ballast | 210 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 5.4 kn |
About the FLYING SAUCER (ATKIN)
Appeared in 'Motor Boating', Jan. 1949.
The Flying Saucer is a rare, lightweight 17.83 ft fractional sloop designed by William Atkin and built in 1949. With a displacement of 800.0 lb and a build count of unknown quantity, this vessel represents a specific era of small, performance-oriented coastal cruising.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for experienced single-handers or couples seeking a trailerable, high-performance coastal cruiser that prioritizes agility and ease of handling over heavy-weather comfort.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low displacement of 800.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 2.01, this boat is not recommended for offshore bluewater cruising due to its light weight and limited ballast of 210.0 lb.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include other William Atkin designs like the 18-foot 'Cruiser' or similar 1940s-50s trailerable sloops such as the O'Day 18, sharing similar fractional rig configurations and light displacement characteristics.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the FLYING SAUCER (ATKIN) yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 17.83ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the FLYING SAUCER (ATKIN)yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a FLYING SAUCER (ATKIN)? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your FLYING SAUCER (ATKIN)?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the FLYING SAUCER (ATKIN)
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…