Boats / Various Lightning

Various Lightning

Fractional Sloop · Centerboard Dinghy · 1938–present

Specifications

Dimensions

Weights

Ballast / displacement

18.6%

Rig & sail area

Rig

Fractional Sloop

Ratios

SA / displacement

38.4

Displacement / length

88.1

Comfort ratio

5.5

Capsize screening

2.93

Hull speed

5.2 kn

Pounds / inch immersion

354

Hull

Hull type

Centerboard Dinghy

Construction

Wood

Production

Years built

1938–present

Units built

15550

Designer

Sparkman, Stephens

Builder

Various, Allen Boat Co.

Design & history

One of the most popular one-design classes in the US since the 1940s, with fleets also existing in other parts of the world.

Class · Popular one-design class in the US since the 1940s, with international fleets as well.

Notable features

Ballast above is max weight of centerboard

Production

Originally designed for wood planked construction; nearly all boats since the early 1960s have been built of fiberglass.

Curated reference notes

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