The Design

Designed in 1994 by Chris Hawkins, the Raider 18 offers the best of both Worlds for the day sailing enthusiast - a boat that is lively and responsive to sail (more so than many lightweight racing dinghies) yet stable and secure for family sailing in a wide range of weather conditions. The ballast ratio and centreplate ensure that the boat is virtually un-capsizable in normal use even when hauled over to a full 90 degrees, whilst the high topsides and self draining cockpit ensure that the occupants remain dry in the most testing conditions.

The Rig 
The mast, fittings and sails selected for the Raider 18 have been chosen with quality rather than cost as the prime consideration. Proctor spars have been designed and manufactured to a specification utilising a new range of fittings and systems designed especially for the Raider 18. The halyards are self cleating (again to make rigging and de-rigging faster and less complicated), whilst the standing rigging specification has been selected to offer a high margin of safety.

Safety
The Raider enjoys a substantial volume of positive buoyancy. In the unlikely event that al tanks are holed, the boat still has sufficient positive buoyancy to stay afloat. With ballast and keel down , the Raider 18 quickly rights from a knockdown, and the cockpit is fully self draining. 
The Raider has been tested to the stringent requirements of the Recreational Craft Directive and has been found to be fully compliant. 

Storage
As any day boat should, the Raider 18 has plenty of storage space. Two capacious lockers are located in the moulded cockpit seats. The entire forward tank, accessed through the foredeck hatch provides stowage for sails and equipment. Two large watertight lockers are fitted on the forward bulkhead.

Launching
The Raider 18 is quick and easy to launch, even by one person. Capable of being towed by a small family car (the all up weight of the boat was selected with this specific requirement in mind) she can be afloat and sailing within half an hour of arrival at your chosen destination. Drawing only 9" of water with the centreplate raised , she can be launched from the purpose built trailer without even getting your feet wet. 

Extras
The basis Raider 18 is fully equipped for sailing. However we offer a number of options so that customers may equip their boat to their own personal specification. Whether you wish to add spinnaker equipment, outboard motor, or whatever, we are building the boat for your personal requirement. If you can provide the specification, we will be pleased to confirm a quotation to meet your exact needs.

Demonstration sail
We usually have a demonstration boat available throughout the summer, to arrange a demonstration sail, please contact us.