A conversation with Bill Crane and Karl Ziegler about the new Storm 18 one design keelboat

The Storm 18 pressing plenty of cloth on Long Island Sound © Bill Crane

Bruce Kirby designed the Ideal 18 in 1989 as a recreational-level 18-footer that was geared towards beginner sailors and club-level racing. Over time, the fiberglass-built boat also proved itself as a good platform for adaptive sailing. The boats are enjoyable to sail (I speak from experience), especially in a breeze, and they have helped countless sailors learn the craft of sailing and sailboat racing.

But as with many designs from the late 1980s, it's fair to say that both sailing and the times have moved on.

Enter the Storm 18, a new fiberglass-built 18-footer that was drawn by naval architects Bob Ames and Casey Brown, and which is being built by David Clark's Fulcrum Speedworks in Rumford, Rhode Island.

The Storm 18 carries a square-topped mainsail, non-overlapping headsails, a centerline sprit pole for flying asymmetrical kites, plus a traditional spinnaker pole for carrying symmetrical chutes. The boat has a plumb bow and (mostly) open transom, a lifting keel, plus ample room in the cockpit for two or more adults.

According to the Storm Marine Group's website, the boat—a bit like the Ideal 18— is aimed at clubs, schools, sailing centers, and individual owners.

I checked in with Bill Crane and Karl Ziegler, who serve as the Storm Marine Group's co-founders and partners, to learn more about the country's newest one design keelboat.

The Storm 18 pressing plenty of cloth on Long Island Sound - photo © Bill Crane

Where did the idea for the Storm 18 come from?

BC: I was an executive at a large boat building company for over ten years. During this time, we constantly looked at the small sailboat sector with an eye towards new product development. There always seemed to be a need for a small keelboat in an under 20-foot range. My previous company was not interested in keelboats. The idea for the Storm 18 was developed with the need to fill an important segment of the market.

KZ: My business and sailing partner, Bill Crane, had been discussing a design brief he was involved with for the replacement for the Ideal 18 for years. Every summer for about six to eight years the subject would come up between Chris Daley, Bill, and myself. For a few years, we just acknowledged that a new boat would be a good idea, but as the Ideal 18s continued to age and maintenance costs increased, the idea of getting involved began to grow.

Finally, as clubs began increasing their membership with individuals and families that were new to sailing, we decided to take action to develop a boat that would be purpose built for adult, learn to sail, as well as being maneuverable enough to match and team race. The overall goal is to design and build a modern, fun boat to sail that would appeal to all demographics of a club's membership.

Can you please compare and contrast the Storm 18 with the Ideal 18? Also, what do you see as the main advantages of the Storm 18 over the now venerable Ideal 18?

BC: The Ideal 18, as I understand it, was designed by Bruce Kirby for Shumway Marine in the late 1980s. Shumway identified the market for a small keelboat that could be used as a learn to sail platform, a day sailor, and a one design racer. It was cost effective, relatively durable, simple, easily handled by one, two or more sailors. The Ideal 18 also met the needs of yacht clubs who wanted to provide a club owned opportunity for their members.

The Storm 18 is in some ways an evolution of the Ideal 18 that addresses the perceived needs of club owned boats that are fun for a broader range of sailors. We addressed the known weaknesses of the Ideal 18, (durability, stability, lack of balance, fun factor, etc.), and we took away all the good things that the Ideal 18 taught us (sit in and sit out, short time from dock to sailing, ability to be sailed with multiple crew configurations, simple sail and handling systems).

Based on all of this analysis, we developed a boat that takes advantage of everything we have learned over the past 35 years and employed contemporary manufacturing processes, advanced composites, cores and resins, more advanced yacht design, more advanced engineering, and more advanced rig and sail development; the net result is a more stable, more durable, more responsive, faster, sailboat that fulfills the needs of Institutions and Yacht Clubs. The Storm 18 is a better learn-to-sail platform in that it includes jib sheets that require the crew to tack and trim the sail (the Ideal 18 employs a self-tacking jib), a mainsail traveler to allow the mainsail to be more accurately trimmed (the Ideal 18 employs a bridle), both symmetrical and asymmetrical spinnakers - so the boat can be used for multiple purposes: fleet racing, team racing, match racing, and as better learn-to-sail platform.

We also designed the boat with a large rudder and a long-corded keel to ensure that new sailors will stay out of trouble. Almost [half] of the boat's displacement is in the keel bulb - so the boat is both stiff and stable. We considered maintenance, ease of use, durability and cost throughout all the development phases, but the most important feature is how well the Storm 18 sails. She is fun for a much broader range of sailors. She is fast, and she will plane when the breeze is on. She is not a sport boat, although she looks like one.

KZ: The Ideal 18 was a wonderful boat for when it was designed. With the Storm 18, we incorporated the large, wide-open cockpit featured on the Ideal as well as the option to either sit in the boat on its seat or on the deck. The Storm 18 is slightly heavier than the Ideal 18, more than three feet longer at the waterline, and has significantly more sail area. The weight is also placed more efficiently with half the weight of the boat being in the lead bulb at the bottom of the longer keel. This, combined with more beam, creates a very stable and safe feeling platform.

In addition to the keel being longer, it also has more cord length, which allows the Storm 18 to track better without side slipping, particularly at low speeds, which is helpful for new sailors, and team and match racers. The Storm 18 has an oversized rudder that allows for beginners to quickly get out of "trouble" and makes her more maneuverable. The Storm also comes with bow and stern corner bumpers to protect the boat reduce the need for maintenance. The jib on the Storm 18 is considerably bigger than the Ideal 18, which creates a perfectly balanced helm, and is on hanks versus a roller furler, and trimmed to a block on a car to provide the crew more control over sail shape. The Storm 18 also has a fat head mainsail, perfectly suited for light air, while naturally twisting off when the breeze comes up.

The Storm 18 pressing plenty of cloth on Long Island Sound - photo © Bill Crane

Who do you see as the primary customers for the Storm 18? Organizations, schools (colleges/universities and high schools), sailing schools, and clubs? Or, do you think that individual sailors and families will also be interested in the design?

BC: The Storm 18 was designed as an institutional keelboat. Many yacht clubs in North America are finding it difficult to attract new sailing members. The cost of membership, the cost of boat ownership, and lack of leisure time have made it more difficult for individuals and families to enjoy sailing. Yacht clubs are turning to club-owned boats to address the need to teach older individuals to sail, to support the growth of women's sailing, to provide a platform for youth keelboat training, for team racing, for match racing and for fleet racing.

The boat is perfect for sailing schools and may have a place in inter-collegiate sailing. We do have interest from individuals who would like to own a Storm 18. For them it is a cost-effective, durable one design that is somewhat immune from arms race seen in many one design racers today.

KZ: The Storm 18 was developed as an institutional boat and as such, has been primarily marketed to yacht clubs, sailing schools and community sailing centers thus far. The Storm 18 was designed to be appealing to all demographics of the sailing community, so we certainly envision that she will be owned by individuals and families as well.

I see that symmetrical spinnakers and asymmetrical spinnakers are listed as standard equipment for Storm 18s. What's the reason for also including a symmetrical kite? Aren't A-sails a heck of a lot easier and more common on boats of this ilk? Or, is the S-sail there so that crews can learn how to use these sails?

BC: The asymmetrical spinnaker is easier to use, no doubt, but it is not the preferred sail for team racing and match racing. It also does not teach people how to jibe a spinnaker pole, so there are multiple reasons to employ one or the other. The additional cost is really in the sails, and there is no reason you couldn't opt for one or the other. We just wanted to provide a platform that meets the needs of every institution.

KZ: The Storm 18 was designed to be a multi-use boat, so we thought it was important that she come equipped to accommodate both. We think the asymmetrical spinnaker will be used most of the time; however, match and team racers typically use the symmetrical kite. As you suggested, we think that those new to sailing should learn to trim and sail with both types of spinnakers.

Can you please walk me through the decision to add a lifting keel? Doesn't this add a lot of cost and complication compared to a design like the Ideal 18?

BC: Yes, the lifting keel has added some complexity and cost. It does, however, offer some important benefits: the keel can be removed if it is damaged and the whole boat does not have to be moved to make repairs. It also sits lower on the trailer and takes up less space in the boat park; it can be raised and lowered with an optional keel hoist to make ramp launching much simpler; it can be raised with its keel hoist if there is a lack of water where the boat is moored, [and] it allows clubs that have lower range vertical hoists the ability to launch themselves.

KZ: Almost all sailing facilities have limitations on space. The lifting keel allows the Storm 18 the option of being stored on a dolly, versus a larger, more substantial trailer, if so desired. Removing the keel also allows for more efficient storage. Additionally, the lifting keel accommodates venues that have shallow-water limitations at low tide. Maintenance staff will also appreciate the removable keel should repair be required.

What areas of the country do you see as potential geographical hot spot for the Storm 18? Also, what is it about these areas that you think make them good or natural fits for the boats?

BC: We have started targeting yacht clubs on Long Island Sound as many have been employing the Ideal 18 for over 30 years. We made sure the boat had enough power and is easily driven in light air. Following Long Island sound we have had interest from clubs in Texas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Michigan, Florida, North and South Carolina, Maryland, and more.

The boat seems to be a possible replacement for the venerable J/22 - so we have begun targeting these markets as well. Interestingly, our boat was designed for light-air performance, but it [also] excels in a big breeze. We have sailed her in 25-plus knots with big waves. She is light on the helm, dry, and will both plane and surf with the spinnaker up - so we are not limited any specific sailing condition.

KZ: Initially, we thought the Storm 18 would be most naturally suited for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions that traditionally supported the Ideal 18. However, based upon the positive feedback we've gotten as we toured the boat in California, Texas, Louisiana and Florida this winter, we've found that there are many outdated and aging classes in the 18-22-foot range that are being used at facilities around the country. We believe the Storm 18 would ultimately be a good fit anywhere and everywhere! In the short term, however, Long Island Sound and eastern Connecticut are logical hot spots.

What kind of racing do you envision for the class? Are we talking about club-level racing, or do you think that we'll eventually see Storm 18 National Championships or even Storm 18 World Championships? Or, is high-level racing not the point of this new design?

BC: Initially, we see the boat used for both inter and intra-club racing events (fleet racing, team racing and match racing). Our intent is to be a single manufacture one design in the vein of the original Laser concept. This will allow for national events and then, if we are lucky enough to have multiple country fleets, we can consider a world championship. The bonus is that in having a strict one design class rule we eliminate the arms race you see in many classes today (J/70, Etchells, etc). It is no secret that Melges is managing this extremely well with their M15 - so we will endeavor to take a page or two from their playbook.

KZ: We foresee extensive inter and intra-club racing at a local level. We also think the Storm 18 has potential for widespread use as a team racing and match racing class both nationally and internationally. We do plan on writing class rules, so major class championships should occur naturally. The Storm 18 also has ORC and ORR ratings.

The Ideal 18 was commonly equipped with adaptive equipment that made the platform a good match for disabled sailors. Do you think that the Storm 18 can also be adapted to welcome sailors of all physical ability levels? If so, what kind of changes/modifications do you think would make sense to allow the boat to be accessible to the widest range of sailors?

BC: The addition of adaptive sailing equipment is in our brief. We have reached out to the adaptive sailing community and will begin the process of modifying the boat to accommodate the needs of these sailors this summer. We rely on the sailors themselves to guide us through this process - so it will not happen overnight.

KZ: Yes, we are exploring modification options for the Storm 18 for adaptive sailing. We also believe the Storm 18 is a natural fit for woman's and junior sailing as [the boat] can be sailed with a crew of up to four, and [the] loads are relatively low.

Is there anything else about the Storm 18 project that you'd like to add, for the record?

BC: Many people have said we designed our boat through a committee. That is far from the truth. We assembled a comprehensive team of sailing experts and worked in an integrated fashion. The naval architect, Bob Ames, worked with us to meet the sailing parameters of the brief. Bob worked with the builder, David Clark, and our structural engineer, Casey Brown, to realize a super strong and durable hull, keel and rudder. This trio figured out how to manufacture the Storm 18 elegantly with minimal pieces in the latest composites available.

Robbie Doyle and Doyle Sails One Design worked with [Ames] to develop a sail plan that is efficient and durable, [and] Ames designed a bespoke rig for the boat that is manufactured by Allen Bros in the UK. Graham Adams of Allen Bros also worked with our whole team to design and manufacture components that are not available "off the shelf" to meet the needs and demands of product.

KZ: The Storm 18 was born out of a true collaborative effort from industry leaders and sailing icons whose primary objective was to deliver the most versatile, durable, well equipped and fun to sail, institutional boat ever created. It has been an incredible learning and growth experience for me, and I feel blessed to be a part of the team.