Fractional Sloop · Centerboard Dinghy · First built 1939
A George O'Brien Kennedy-designed centerboard dinghy with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio, raced since 1946
Designed by George O'Brien Kennedy, built by Nunn.
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 367 kg of hull, so roughly 950 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 367 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 0.22 m, board up where she has one — creeks, sandbars and thin anchorages most keels have to stay out of.
CoastalBluewater
2.15 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.
Capsize screening 2.15
EasygoingPowered-up
22.1 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.
Sail area / displacement 22.1
Powered-up and quick to accelerate — this one likes to sail.
Heavier than ~98% of boats her size on file
Draws more than ~96% of boats her size on file
Compared with 372 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
22.1
Capsize screening
2.15
Hull
Hull type
Centerboard Dinghy
Construction
Wood and GRP
Production
Years built
First built 1939
Designer
George O'Brien Kennedy
Builder
Nunn, Robertson's Boatyard, Robertson, Sons Ltd
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.
O'Day Daysailer5.11 mSame hull family0.8 m longerA 1956 centerboard dinghy with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio that remains in production today
Aubin (Chantier Aubin) Snipe4.72 mSame hull family0.5 m longerA legendary William F. Crosby-designed fractional dinghy that remains one of the world's most active racing classes
Small Craft Ltd. Wayfarer4.82 mSame hull family0.6 m longerAn Ian Proctor-designed centerboard dinghy with a high sail-to-displacement ratio, built since 1957 in wood and fiberglass
Finn (Monotype)4.50 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA Richard Sarby-designed Olympic single-handed dinghy featuring an unstayed cat rig and a long history of competition
Lido 144.27 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA fractional sloop dinghy designed by Barney Lehman, updated in 1995 with a modern mold for improved longevity and safety
LaserPerformance 49er4.88 mSame hull family0.6 m longerAn Olympic-class high-performance skiff featuring a massive sail-area-to-displacement ratio for elite racing
