Fractional Sloop · Centerboard Dinghy · First built 1936
A high-performance 1936 fractional sloop designed by William F. Crosby and governed by a dedicated racing association
Designed by William F. Crosby, built by Ray Greene.
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 1.73 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 181 kg of hull, so roughly 800 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 181 kg of hull, with a keel that raises or a draught shallow enough to float off a trailer — she can go back on the trailer at the ramp, not only into the water.Shoal draughtDraws 0.05 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 moderate beam gives 5 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.
Comfort ratio 5
CoastalBluewater
At 3.08 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.
Capsize screening 3.08
LightHeavy
154 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.
Displacement / length 154
EasygoingPowered-up
40.4 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.
Sail area / displacement 40.4
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
40.4
Displacement / length
154.3
Comfort ratio
4.9
Capsize screening
3.08
Hull speed
4.3 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
213
Hull
Hull type
Centerboard Dinghy
Construction
Wood or Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1936
Units built
1000
Designer
William F. Crosby
Builder
Ray Greene, Co
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.
Melges 195.79 mSame hull family0.6 m longerA Reichel-Pugh designed fractional dinghy with an exceptionally high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for rapid planing
RS Venture4.98 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterA 4.98-metre fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio, designed for agile, modern dinghy sailing
MacKay Boats Ltd. 49erfx4.88 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA high-performance Olympic skiff featuring the 49er hull paired with a specialised rig tailored for lighter crews
LaserPerformance 49er4.88 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterAn Olympic-class high-performance skiff featuring a massive sail-area-to-displacement ratio for elite racing
Beneteau First 144.30 mSame hull family0.9 m shorterA Samuel Manuard-designed performance dinghy with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited, responsive sailing
Hunter Marine 1404.27 mSame hull family0.9 m shorterA lightweight fractional sloop designed for responsive dinghy sailing with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio
