The Ideal 18 keelboat was designed by Bruce Kirby as a strict one-design, accessible to sailors of all ages, weights, skill levels, and competitive backgrounds. The emphasis is on strategy, tactical skills, and boathandling, rather than tuning or special rigging.
The 3/4 fractional sloop rig has no permanent or running backstays; instead, rig stability is generated by 15 degree swept spreaders and a large cross-section mast. Most sailors prefer to keep the upper and lower shrouds fairly loose up to 15 knots. Upper tension ranges from about 180 lbs. up to 300 lbs.; lowers are one or two turns above hand-tight until 12 knots; thereafter, usually about 75% of upper tension.
The jib is self-tacking and roller-furling. When sailing to windward, the jib has a sheeting angle of about eight degrees. The spinnaker is small for an 18 foot boat, and easily handled by any size forward crewmember; with standard twings, topping lift, foreguy, and Spectra sheet/guy. The spinnaker is stored in a mesh bag on the port side of the cockpit.
No hiking straps are provided or allowed; in fact, sailors are required to keep their legs inside the boat. Because of the no-hiking rule and the heavy keel, a larger range of weights is competitive than in most one-designs. In 5-15 knots, any weight is competive.
Keels and rudders are identical with no fairing allowed, the mast steps and partners locations are fixed, and headstay lengths are the same.
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