The design has built by a long line of companies in the United States. About 5,000 boats had been built by the time production ended in 2020.[1][4][5]
The design was initially built by Chrysler Marine, a division of the Chrysler Corporation, in Plano, Texas, starting in 1968. The company completed just over 4,000 boats, during the period 1968-1980. As a result of a government bailout of Chrysler Marine's car manufacturing parent company, the marine division was sold in 1980 to a consortium of six former Chrysler Marine executives who formed Texas Marine International Inc. (Texas Marine Industries), retaining the location in Plano, Texas. Texas Marine built about 700 boats in 1981-1982.[1][6][7]
From 1985-1986 Gloucester Yachts, part of Lockley Newport Boats, built 59 boats under the name Gloucester 18, before the company went out of business in 1988.[8][9]Cardinal Yachts took over production from 1987-2000, building 28 boats over 13 years.[1]
The boat has a draft of 3.83 ft (1.17 m) with the centerboard extended and 7 in (18 cm) with it retracted, allowing beaching or ground transportation on a trailer.[1]
For sailing the design may be equipped with a spinnaker of 178 sq ft (16.5 m2). It has adjustable jibfairleads and jib roller furling. A boom vang, jib hauler and spinnaker launching tube are optional. For stowage it has a lazarette and compartment under the covered foredeck.[4]
The design has a Portsmouth Yardstick racing average handicap of 87.9 and is raced with a minimum crew of two sailors, although it can accommodate six people.[4][5]
Operational history
Buccaneer sailboats racing
The type is supported by a type club, the Buccaneer 18 Class Association, that regulates the boat design and holds races.[11]
In a 1994 review Richard Sherwood wrote that the, "Buccaneer, originally built by Chrysler, is a big boat with a 7-foot 3-inch cockpit, seating six. The boat was designed to be easy to sail and maintain. The hull is planing, with the wide beam well aft and a lean bow."[4]
