Fractional Sloop · Dbrd. Dinghy · First built 2002
A Paul Handley-designed fractional dinghy with a high power-to-weight ratio, widely raced in its XL configuration
Designed by Paul Handley.
LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Hull type
Dbrd. 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 63 kg of hull, so roughly 650 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 63 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 0.06 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 3.60 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.
Capsize screening 3.60
LightHeavy
47 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.
Displacement / length 47
EasygoingPowered-up
54.9 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.
Sail area / displacement 54.9
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
54.9
Displacement / length
46.6
Comfort ratio
2.5
Capsize screening
3.60
Hull speed
4.4 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
183
Hull
Hull type
Dbrd. Dinghy
Construction
Polyethylene
Production
Years built
First built 2002
Designer
Paul Handley
Builder
RS Racing
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.
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
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
Ilca 4 (Laser 4.7)4.23 mSame hull family0.6 m longerA Bruce Kirby-designed dinghy sharing the classic Laser hull, optimized with a smaller sail plan for lighter sailors
Alcort Sunfish4.24 mSame hull family0.6 m longerWith a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 47.02, this nimble 4.24-meter dinghy remains a benchmark for simple
