Proven from Sydney Hobart to Tahiti Named Dimension-Polyant cloth Designed in Geelong, shipped worldwide Talk to a sailmaker
A$US$ Get a quote
Kraken Favicon
QUOTE
Quote
Go
Browse all 1,200+ boats →
Dinghy

Lightning

dinghy

Olin Stephens' 1938 three-person sloop, still one of the most raced one-design classes in the world with over 15,000 hulls built.

LOA
5.79
M
YEAR DESIGNED
1938
DESIGNER
Olin Stephens (Sparkman & Stephens)
One-Design Sails

Sails For This Class

Showing all 3 results

Technical Data

Specifications

LOA
5.79
M
Beam
1.98
M
Draft
1.51
M
Hull Weight
318
KG
Crew Min
2
Crew Max
3
Year Designed
1938
Mainsail Area
11.32
M²
Jib Area
5.47
M²
Spinnaker Area
27.87
M²
Class Profile

Class Facts & History

Category
Dinghy
Type
dinghy
Designer
Olin Stephens (Sparkman & Stephens)
Class Association
International Lightning Class Association

History

Olin Stephens of Sparkman & Stephens drew the Lightning in 1938 as a fast, affordable three-person one-design. Wooden hulls gave way to fibreglass in the early 1960s, and more than 15,550 boats have been built since, making it one of the longest running one-design classes still racing hard.

Sailing Characteristics

Good freeboard and a stable hull make her a confident boat in a breeze, while the fractional sloop rig and generous spinnaker reward crews who trim actively. She carries a crew of three well and takes real teamwork to sail at the front of the fleet.

Racing Context

The International Lightning Class Association runs Worlds, North Americans and district championships across the US, Canada, Europe and South America, with fleets that have raced continuously since the 1940s.

Not Sure This Is Your Exact Boat?

Browse the full range of one-design classes we build sails for, or get in touch and we'll help you find the right rig.

Browse All Classes