Ex marine, airline pilot and single-handed transatlantic sailer John Charnley teamed up with designer Colin Silvester. What emerged was the Swift 18, which conformed to the French Micro Cup rules. The rules dictated design characteristics, built in buoyancy, retractable keel etc. With hull and deck made of 1/2inc balsa sandwich, 8oz woven rovings and 1 1/2 oz chopped strand mat, this made a strong boat.

The Swift 18 is light with a high aspect rig which makes her more of a racer. She was tested in a force 7 Northerly, with two reefs and she stayed light on the helm and was well balanced. The Swift has a roomy well layed out accommodation. A large double forepeak berth, and a central galley , comprising 2 ring cooker and bowl/sink. There are 2 full length settee berths aft with storage under the settee berths are 1ft 8ins wide and the forepeak berth from 5ft 6ins to nothing over a length of 6ft 6ins. there is an infill here and underneath a chemical toilet.

There is sitting head room in saloon area.She has a kick up rudder which makes it safer than a slide up type. It is controlled by a screw jack (45 turns up and 45 turns down). She also has a transom well for an inboard/outboard. This making it better protected in heavy weather. She has sturdy cleats and a large anchor well. Her self draining cockpit easily seats four people. The starting price was £1895 ex.VAT for a home completion boat. A complete sailerway boat was £3495 ex.VAT, while a deluxe version was £300 more. A custom made trailer was £356 before VAT.