The Flying Dutchman 12 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Flying Dutchman 12

Hull Type: Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 50'4" (15.3m)

Waterline Length: 42'0" (12.8m)

Beam: 14'3" (4.3m)

Draft: 6'6" (2.0m)

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 35,175lb (15,955kg)

Designer: Eva Hollman

Builder: Ta Yang (Taiwan)

Year First Built: 1973

Year Last Built: 1985

Number Built: 23

Design & Construction

The Flying Dutchman 12 resulted from the collaborative efforts of German designer Eva Holmann and Dutchman Willem Eickholt. Eickholt, who was part owner of Flying Dutchman Yachts at the time, wanted to build his dreamboat: an aft-cockpit, flush-decked cutter with a fin keel, skeg rudder, canoe stern, and clipper bow. He also wanted the boat to be fast, pretty, and timeless. Holmann, who was known for her fast and unsinkable cruising designs, helped him achieve his vision, despite their initial disagreement over the canoe stern.

The FD-12, as the boat is also known, was built in Taiwan by Ta Yang Yacht Building Co and other yards. The hull is a fiberglass sandwich cored with Viny foam, a lightweight and resilient material that also provides insulation and prevents condensation. The hull is reinforced by longitudinal stringers and transverse floor timbers, and the bulkheads are fiberglassed to the hull. The hull-to-deck joint is an inward-turning flange that is through-bolted, filled with sealant, coated with fiberglass, and topped with a teak caprail.

The rig is a cutter with a masthead configuration. The mast is keel-stepped and supported by double spreaders and stainless steel wire rigging. The sail area is about 1,200 square feet, with a mainsail, staysail, and genoa. The boat can also fly a spinnaker or an asymmetrical cruising chute for downwind sailing.

Performance & Comfort

To evaluate the performance potential of the FD-12, we can use some design ratios that compare its sail area, displacement, length, ballast, and stability. These ratios are nondimensional numbers that can be used to compare different boats regardless of their size. Here are some of the most commonly used ratios for sailboats:

• Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (SA/D): This ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. A higher SA/D means a faster boat in light winds, while a lower SA/D means a more stable boat in strong winds. The SA/D for the FD-12 is about 15.9, which is on the low end of the spectrum for modern cruising boats. This means that the FD-12 will need a good breeze to get going, but it will also handle well in heavy weather.

• Displacement/Length Ratio (D/L): This ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. A lower D/L means a lighter boat that will have less wavemaking drag and higher speed potential, especially in displacement mode. A higher D/L means a heavier boat that will have more carrying capacity and more comfortable motion in a seaway. The D/L for the FD-12 is about 212, which puts it in the moderate displacement category for cruising boats. This means that the FD-12 will be able to carry all your cruising gear without sacrificing too much performance.

• Ballast/Displacement Ratio (B/D): This ratio measures how much ballast a boat has relative to its weight. Ballast is usually lead or iron that is placed low in the keel to provide stability and righting moment. A higher B/D means a stiffer boat that will stand up well to its sail power in a blow, while a lower B/D means a more tender boat that will heel more easily and require more reefing. The B/D for the FD-12 is about 40.8%, which is on the high end of the range for cruising boats. This means that the FD-12 will be very stable and resistant to capsize.

• Comfort Ratio (CR): This ratio measures how comfortable a boat's motion will be in a seaway, based on its displacement, length, beam, and ballast. A higher CR means a more comfortable boat that will have less pitching and rolling, while a lower CR means a more lively boat that will have more motion and responsiveness. The CR for the FD-12 is about 35.5, which is in the middle of the scale for cruising boats. This means that the FD-12 will have a predictable and acceptable motion for most sailors.

• Capsize Screening Formula (CSF): This formula measures how safe a boat is from capsizing, based on its beam and displacement. A lower CSF means a safer boat that will have a lower chance of capsizing, while a higher CSF means a riskier boat that will have a higher chance of capsizing. The CSF for the FD-12 is about 1.7, which is below the threshold of 2.0 that is considered safe for ocean sailing. This means that the FD-12 will be a good choice for offshore passages.

Based on these ratios, we can conclude that the FD-12 is a well-balanced sailboat that offers a good compromise between speed, stability, comfort, and safety. It is not a racer or a rocket, but it is not a slug or a tub either. It is a solid and seaworthy cruiser that can handle a variety of conditions and destinations.

More about these all-important design ratios...

Down Below

The interior of the FD-12 is one of its most attractive features, as each boat has been customized to suit the owner's taste and needs.

The general layout consists of three cabins: a forward owner's stateroom with an ensuite head and shower, a main saloon with a U-shaped dinette and a settee opposite, and an aft cabin with two single berths and another head and shower.

The galley is located on the port side of the companionway, and the navigation station is on the starboard side.

The interior is finished in teak woodwork and has plenty of storage space and ventilation.

Reviews & Comparisons

The Flying Dutchman 12 has received positive reviews from sailing magazines and owners alike. Practical Sailor magazine reviewed the FD-12 in June 2000 and praised its design, construction, performance, and comfort. The magazine noted that the boat was "a serious world cruiser with a custom interior" and "an impressive performer despite its repulsive stern".

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The magazine also compared the FD-12 with two other similar boats: the Valiant 50 and the Tayana 48. The comparison showed that the FD-12 had a lower SA/D, D/L, B/D, CR, and CSF than the other two boats, indicating that it was less powerful, lighter, stiffer, more comfortable, and safer than its competitors.

Owners of the FD-12 have also shared their experiences and opinions on various online forums and blogs. Most owners seem to be very happy with their boats and report that they sail well in all kinds of weather and seas. Some owners have made extensive modifications or upgrades to their boats, such as adding solar panels, wind generators, watermakers, or new electronics.

Some common issues or complaints from owners include leaks from the deck fittings or windows, corrosion on the stainless steel parts, or difficulty finding spare parts or service for such a rare boat .

Availability & Price

The Flying Dutchman 12 is not a mass-produced boat, but rather a custom-built one that has been made in limited numbers over several decades. Therefore, finding one for sale might not be easy or frequent.

According to online listings, there are currently only two FD-12s for sale in the US: one in Florida for $199,000 and one in California for $249,000. Both boats are from the early 1980s and have been well maintained and upgraded by their owners.

The asking prices reflect the rarity and quality of these boats, as well as the market demand for cruising sailboats in general.