The 12-foot Pelican Designed by Bill Short

The Mighty Pelican

Designed by Bill Short in 1959, the rugged 12-foot Pelican is ideal for the high wind and chop found on San Francisco Bay, where the boat once numbered in the dozens. This past winter, West Coast photographer Erik Simonson caught Fleet 1 out racing the elusive centerboarders—which feature scow bows, chines and an old-fashioned sprit rig—on the Oakland estuary. For those interested, plywood kits for these great little boats can be had at Platypus Boats (platypusboats.com).

Pelican Specifications

LOA 12ft 2in

Beam 6ft 2in

Draft 4in (board up) 

Weight 390lb

Sail area 105ft2

Photo by Erik Simonson