BoatsBombardier Invitation

Bombardier Invitation

Cat (unstayed) · Dbrd. Dinghy · First built 1973

A Canadian-built cat-rigged dinghy from 1973 featuring a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for lively performance

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Hull type
Dbrd. Dinghy

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

TrailerableBeam 1.52 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 82 kg of hull, so roughly 700 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Shoal draftDraws 0.91 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 moderate beam gives 2 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 2
CoastalBluewater

At 3.54 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.

Capsize screening 3.54
LightHeavy

29 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 29
EasygoingPowered-up

45.0 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.

Sail area / displacement 45.0

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Rig & sail area
Rig
Cat (unstayed)
Ratios
SA / displacement
45.0
Displacement / length
29.4
Comfort ratio
2.3
Capsize screening
3.54
Hull speed
5.0 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
250
Hull
Hull type
Dbrd. Dinghy
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1973
Builder
Bombardier

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.

Several Under License 29er4.40 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA high-performance skiff designed by Julian Bethwaite, featuring a powerful fractional rig for competitive racing
Spindrift 134.06 mSame hull family0.7 m shorterA Hubert Vandestadt-designed centerboard dinghy with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for lively, responsive sailing
Ilca 7 (Laser-International)4.23 mSame hull family0.5 m shorterA Bruce Kirby-designed Olympic class dinghy featuring a simple unstayed cat rig and a lightweight, high-performance hull
LaserPerformance 49er4.88 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthAn Olympic-class high-performance skiff featuring a massive sail-area-to-displacement ratio for elite racing
MacKay Boats Ltd. 49erfx4.88 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA high-performance skiff utilizing the 49er hull with a downsized rig specifically optimized for lighter crews
Alcort Sunfish4.24 mSame hull family0.5 m shorterWith a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 47.02, this nimble 4.24-meter dinghy remains a benchmark for simple

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

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