Abbott Boats Inc. Soling

The Abbott Boats Inc. Soling is an 8.2-meter fractional sloop keelboat designed by Jan Herman Linge, built by Abbott Boats Inc. from 1966 to the present. With a fin keel and spade rudder, it displaces 1032 kg and served as an Olympic class three-person keelboat from 1972 to 1996. The class rules allow for a ballast adjustment of plus or minus 10 kg. Kristian Nergaard, a long-time Soling competitor, uses regattas like the Hankøregattaen to prepare for the Soling World Championship, testing boat speed and crew coordination in varied wind conditions.4:56 Nergaard notes the Soling class has seen a resurgence as a competitive yet family-oriented fleet.25:52 Mikkel Thommessen gained exposure to the Soling in the United States in 1965, observing its advanced racing techniques.8:29 Kongelig Norsk Seilforening (KNS) has submitted a bid to host the Soling World Championship, indicating ongoing international interest in the class.4:42