Fractional Sloop · Centerboard Dinghy · First built 1960
A Philip Rhodes-designed centerboard dinghy offered in multiple rig configurations and famously sold as the American 12
Designed by Philip L. Rhodes, built by American Fiberglass Corp.
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 1.42 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.Ramp-launchableAbout 82 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 3.31 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.
Capsize screening 3.31
LightHeavy
66 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.
Displacement / length 66
EasygoingPowered-up
38.7 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.
Sail area / displacement 38.7
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
38.7
Displacement / length
66.2
Comfort ratio
3.2
Capsize screening
3.31
Hull speed
4.4 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
178
Hull
Hull type
Centerboard Dinghy
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1960
Designer
Philip L. Rhodes
Builder
American Fiberglass Corp
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 family0.8 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
Cape Dory 103.20 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA lightweight Gunter-rigged centerboard dinghy designed by Andrew C. Vavolotis for nimble coastal daysailing
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 family0.3 m shorterA one-design foiling dinghy featuring wings and an unstayed rig, built in the thousands for high-performance racing
Topper International Topper3.40 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterAn Ian Proctor-designed polypropylene dinghy featuring an unstayed cat rig and three versatile sail-area configurations
