Fractional Sloop · Centerboard Dinghy · First built 1959
An enduring international racing class designed in 1959, widely produced as a versatile fractional-rigged dinghy
Designed by Christian Maury.
LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Hull type
Centerboard Dinghy
Is it for you?
Character
Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.
TrailerableBeam 1.65 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 100 kg of hull, so roughly 700 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 100 kg of hull, with a keel that raises or a draft shallow enough to float off a trailer — she can go back on the trailer at the ramp, not only into the water.Shoal draftDraws 0.15 m, board up where she has one — creeks, sandbars and thin anchorages most keels have to stay out of.
LivelySea-kindly
Her light displacement on a beamy beam gives 3 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.
Comfort ratio 3
CoastalBluewater
At 3.59 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.
Capsize screening 3.59
LightHeavy
43 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.
Displacement / length 43
EasygoingPowered-up
61.5 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.
Sail area / displacement 61.5
Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.
The living fleet
Sailed by the fleet
The channels sailing this model, and where they were last seen.
The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.
Dimensions
Weights
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
61.5
Displacement / length
43.0
Comfort ratio
2.7
Capsize screening
3.59
Hull speed
4.9 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
255
Hull
Hull type
Centerboard Dinghy
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1959
Units built
56000
Designer
Christian Maury
Builder
Various, Far East Boat Co
Boats like this, on the water
Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.
Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.
Hunter Marine 1404.27 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA lightweight fractional sloop designed for responsive dinghy sailing with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio
Spindrift 134.06 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Hubert Vandestadt-designed centerboard dinghy with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for lively, responsive sailing
Several Under License 29er4.40 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA high-performance skiff designed by Julian Bethwaite, featuring a powerful fractional rig for competitive racing
CL Sailboats 144.32 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 109-kilogram fractional sloop built since 1980, offering a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for lively handling
MacKay Boats Ltd. 49erfx4.88 mSame hull family0.7 m longerA high-performance skiff utilizing the 49er hull with a downsized rig specifically optimized for lighter crews
LaserPerformance 49er4.88 mSame hull family0.7 m longerAn Olympic-class high-performance skiff featuring a massive sail-area-to-displacement ratio for elite racing
