Fractional Sloop · Centerboard Dinghy · First built 1983
An S&S-designed fractional centerboard dinghy with a high power-to-weight ratio for spirited performance
Designed by S&S & Craig V. Walters.
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 1.52 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 79 kg of hull, so roughly 700 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 79 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 0.10 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 3.58 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.
Capsize screening 3.58
LightHeavy
69 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.
Displacement / length 69
EasygoingPowered-up
46.1 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.
Sail area / displacement 46.1
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
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
46.1
Displacement / length
69.0
Comfort ratio
2.9
Capsize screening
3.58
Hull speed
4.3 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
186
Hull
Hull type
Centerboard Dinghy
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1983
Designer
S&S, Craig V. Walters
Builder
Howmar Boats Inc
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 family0.7 m longerA high-performance skiff designed by Julian Bethwaite, featuring a powerful fractional rig for competitive racing
Spindrift 134.06 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA Hubert Vandestadt-designed centerboard dinghy with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for lively, responsive sailing
Hunter Marine 1404.27 mSame hull family0.6 m longerA lightweight fractional sloop designed for responsive dinghy sailing with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio
O'day 123.76 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA lightweight cat-rigged dinghy featuring a simple unstayed mast and daggerboard, sharing her hull with the Widgeon
Fairey Marine Firefly3.66 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthThe 1948 Olympic single-handed class, this Uffa Fox design was the first sailboat ever produced by Fairey Marine
McDougall Waszp3.35 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA one-design foiling dinghy featuring wings and an unstayed rig, built in the thousands for high-performance racing
