Fractional Sloop · Centerboard Dinghy · First built 1946
A highly competitive UK development class dinghy that has driven innovation in hull and rig design since 1946
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 2.18 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 95 kg of hull, so roughly 700 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 95 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 0.18 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 2 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.
Comfort ratio 2
CoastalBluewater
At 4.82 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.
Capsize screening 4.82
LightHeavy
38 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.
Displacement / length 38
EasygoingPowered-up
47.6 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.
Sail area / displacement 47.6
Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.
Draws more than ~96% of boats her size on file
Beamier than ~97% 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
47.6
Displacement / length
38.1
Comfort ratio
1.7
Capsize screening
4.82
Hull speed
4.9 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
345
Hull
Hull type
Centerboard Dinghy
Construction
Wood
Production
Years built
First built 1946
Designer
Various
Builder
Various, Chippendale Boats
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.
Spindrift 134.06 mSame hull family0.2 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 familyNear-identical lengthA high-performance skiff designed by Julian Bethwaite, featuring a powerful fractional rig for competitive racing
Hunter Marine 1404.27 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA lightweight fractional sloop designed for responsive dinghy sailing with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio
Beneteau First 144.30 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Samuel Manuard-designed performance dinghy with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited, responsive sailing
CL Sailboats 144.32 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 109-kilogram fractional sloop built since 1980, offering a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for lively handling
Laser 24.40 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA high-performance fractional dinghy designed by Bethwaite and Bruce, featuring a rapid sail-area-to-displacement ratio
