Fractional Sloop · Centerboard Dinghy · First built 1932
A C. Lowndes Johnson-designed fractional sloop and former Olympic class centerboard dinghy first launched in 1932
Designed by C. Lowndes Johnson, built by Customflex.
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 1.68 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 118 kg of hull, so roughly 700 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 118 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 moderate beam gives 3 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.
Comfort ratio 3
CoastalBluewater
At 3.45 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.
Capsize screening 3.45
LightHeavy
34 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.
Displacement / length 34
EasygoingPowered-up
55.0 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.
Sail area / displacement 55.0
Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.
Draws less than ~97% of boats her size on file
Compared with 350 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.
The record
Full specifications
The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.
Dimensions
Weights
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
55.0
Displacement / length
34.4
Comfort ratio
2.7
Capsize screening
3.45
Hull speed
5.2 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
295
Hull
Hull type
Centerboard Dinghy
Construction
Wood
Production
Years built
First built 1932
Units built
4000
Designer
C. Lowndes Johnson
Builder
Customflex
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.
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
LaserPerformance 49er4.88 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthAn Olympic-class high-performance skiff featuring a massive sail-area-to-displacement ratio for elite racing
CL Sailboats 144.32 mSame hull family0.6 m shorterA 109-kilogram fractional sloop built since 1980, offering a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for lively handling
Spindrift 134.06 mSame hull family0.8 m shorterA Hubert Vandestadt-designed centerboard dinghy with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for lively, responsive sailing
Several Under License 29er4.40 mSame hull family0.5 m shorterA high-performance skiff designed by Julian Bethwaite, featuring a powerful fractional rig for competitive racing
