Question 1

What are the specs of the IDEAL 18?

Accepted Answer

The IDEAL 18 has the following specifications: 17.85ft LOA, 6.2ft beam, 3.25ft draft, 1,240lb displacement, 700lb ballast. Hull type: mono. Rig: Fractional Sloop. Keel: Fin.

Question 2

Who built the IDEAL 18 and when was it made?

Accepted Answer

Built by Ontario Yachts (CAN), designed by Bruce Kirby, first built in 1989, 325 units were produced.

Question 3

Is the IDEAL 18 good for offshore sailing?

Accepted Answer

The IDEAL 18 is classified as a Daysailer. It has a comfort ratio of 10.94, which means it has a sportier ride, better suited for coastal and protected waters. The capsize screening ratio is 2.31, which is best suited for coastal cruising.

Question 4

How fast is the IDEAL 18?

Accepted Answer

The IDEAL 18 has a sail area to displacement ratio of 23.33, which indicates high performance and good speed potential. The displacement to length ratio is 187.33, making it a light displacement sailboat.

Question 5

How much does it cost to maintain a IDEAL 18?

Accepted Answer

Annual maintenance for a IDEAL 18 is estimated at $400 – $1.2K. This includes hull care, rigging, sails, and engine service. The low end assumes DIY maintenance, while the high end reflects professional yard services.

Question 6

How much does it cost to own a IDEAL 18 per year?

Accepted Answer

Annual cost of ownership for the IDEAL 18 (17.85ft) according to SailPages.com: Maintenance: $400 – $1.2K/year (hull, rigging, sails, engine service). Insurance: $500-$2000/year (based on $unknown average value). Marina slip costs by state for a 17.85ft boat: Florida: $3,200-$8,600/year. California: $3,000-$7,500/year. Massachusetts: $2,200-$5,000/year + $700 winter storage. New York: $2,200-$6,200/year + $700 winter storage. Maryland: $2,100-$3,900/year. Texas: $1,300-$3,900/year. Washington: $2,600-$5,600/year. Michigan: $1,200-$2,700/year + $700 winter storage. North Carolina: $1,900-$3,900/year. South Carolina: $2,800-$5,400/year. Total annual cost ranges from approximately $2K to $14K depending on location and maintenance approach. Source: SailPages.com, based on published marina rate cards and industry data.

Question 7

How much does it cost to dock a IDEAL 18?

Accepted Answer

Marina slip costs for the IDEAL 18 (17.85ft) by state according to SailPages.com: Florida: $3,200-$8,600/year. California: $3,000-$7,500/year. Massachusetts: $2,200-$5,000/year + $700 winter storage. New York: $2,200-$6,200/year + $700 winter storage. Maryland: $2,100-$3,900/year. Texas: $1,300-$3,900/year. Washington: $2,600-$5,600/year. Michigan: $1,200-$2,700/year + $700 winter storage. North Carolina: $1,900-$3,900/year. South Carolina: $2,800-$5,400/year. Rates are per foot per month multiplied by boat length. Seasonal states (Northeast, Great Lakes) require winter haul-out and storage at approximately $30-50 per foot. Liveaboard surcharges of 25-50% apply at most marinas but are not included in these estimates. Mooring balls are typically 40-55% less than slip costs. Source: SailPages.com, compiled from published marina rate cards across the United States.

Question 8

What are the common problems with the IDEAL 18?

Accepted Answer

SailPages.com has compiled 15 issues reported for the IDEAL 18 by owners in sailing-forum discussions and owner-association material, concentrated in rigging, keel, deck, rudder, hull, each rated by severity (critical, major, minor). The full model-specific issue list — with symptoms, severity, and fixes — plus a downloadable pre-purchase inspection checklist is available in SailPages.com's report for the IDEAL 18.

Question 9

What should I look for when buying a IDEAL 18?

Accepted Answer

When buying a IDEAL 18, SailPages.com has compiled 15 model-specific issues reported by owners across rigging, keel, deck, rudder, hull, engine. Always hire a SAMS or NAMS accredited marine surveyor — SailPages.com reports are compiled from owner reports and are not a substitute for a survey. The downloadable report for the IDEAL 18 includes each reported issue plus a model-specific pre-purchase checklist with checkboxes, notes fields, and an overall assessment section.

Question 10

What are the sail dimensions of the IDEAL 18?

Accepted Answer

The IDEAL 18 has the following rig dimensions: I=19ft (foretriangle height), J=7ft (foretriangle base), P=23.5ft (mainsail luff), E=9.25ft (mainsail foot). Mainsail area: 183.9 sq ft. Jib area: 66.5 sq ft.

Question 11

How does the IDEAL 18 compare to similar sailboats?

Accepted Answer

The IDEAL 18 is classified as a Daysailer by SailPages.com. Key metrics: 17.85ft LOA, comfort ratio 10.94, capsize ratio 2.31, SA/disp 23.33. SailPages.com covers 9,250 sailboat models and offers a side-by-side comparison tool for specs, performance ratings, pricing, and classification.

LOA	17.85 ft
LWL	14.35 ft
Beam	6.2 ft
Draft	3.25 ft
Displacement	1,240 lb
Ballast	700 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL	5.1 kn

Iforetriangle height	19 ft
Jforetriangle base	7 ft
Pmainsail luff	23.5 ft
Emainsail foot	9.25 ft
FLforestay	7 ft
Mainsail	183.9 sq ft
Jib (100%)	66.5 sq ft
Spinnaker	113.1 sq ft

IDEAL 18

Specifications

Hull

Rig & Sails

About the IDEAL 18

Performance

Pricing

Estimated Cost of Ownership

Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection

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