The Rossiter Pintail Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Rossiter Pintail

Underwater Profile: Shallow long fin with bilge keels

Hull Material: Wood/Fibreglass*

Length Overall: 27'3" (8.3m)

Waterline Length: 23'0" (7.0m)

Beam: 8'9" (2.7m)

Draft: 3'6" (1.1m)

Rig Type: Fractional sloop

Displacement: 11,650lb (5,28kg)

Designer: Hugh Rossiter

Builder: Rossiter Yachts Ltd (UK)

Year First Built: 1962

* Initially built with a wooden planked hull, this version was discontinued in 1970 from when fibreglass hulls became the norm.

Published Design Ratios for the Rossiter Pintail

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 9.7

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 40.3

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 427

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 41

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.6

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Rossiter Pintail

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 9.7 suggests that the Rossiter Pintail will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 40.3 means that the Rossiter Pintail will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 427, tells us the Rossiter Pintail is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 41 suggests that crew comfort of a Rossiter Pintail in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a heavy bluewater cruising boat. Pitching and rolling will be well damped - your cup of coffee on the salon table stands a reasonable chance of staying there in most conditions.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.6 tells us that a Rossiter Pintail would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.