Get The Best Of Both Worlds
Without Compromising Either One
The Lightning, a 19 foot trailerable centerboard sloop, was originally designed by Sparkman & Stephens as an affordable family day-sailor and racing boat. She has evolved into one of the most popular and competitive one-design racing classes in the world. Awarded ISAF International Class status, the Lightning is sailed in more than 13 countries and in the Pan American Games, and the class provides a professionally-managed association that is among the largest in all of one-design sailing. The Lightning’s rig is simple, but offers sophisticated sail shape controls. The hull features a unique hard chine design that combines the stability that provides sail-carrying power, with flat bottom sections that promote planing. The International Lightning Class Association protects the boat’s design and licenses custom and private builders to build boats under its administration. A list of Lightning builders is available from the ILCA upon request.
Dinghy Responsiveness,
Sportboat Performance
The Best Of Both Worlds
Whether racing or daysailing, the Lightning offers a combination of performance and stability that eludes most one-designs. The Lightning’s hard chine and 130 lb centerboard give her the stability and power of a small keel boat going to weather in strong winds and allow her to carry a very large spinnaker for breathtaking offwind rides.
There’s room in the cockpit for two couples or a family to daysail, but the Lightning is easy to ramp launch and light enough to trailer with ease. In the event of a capsize, she can be righted and sailed dry by her crew.
Tags: boat museum, dinghy, lightning sailboat, Lightnings, Skaneateles, Skaneateles Historical Society, sportboat, the creamery
What a great intro to a FANtastic sailboat! Learn more about the Lightning and it’s history with Skaneateles. This summer Skaneateles Country Club, home to Lightning Fleet #1, will host the 70th Anniversary Lightning Regatta.
We expect 150-200 Lightning sailboats to attend from around the world. Visit http://www.lightning70th.com to learn more.
I was told by my brother that Skaneateles Boat Works built the Mower and the Lightning followed. Do you know if this was the progression?
Re: Did the Lightning follow the Mower? Yes. Barnes bros., owners of the Skaneateles Boat Company, gave the specs of the soft chine Mower to Olin Stephens to design the hard chine Lightning. Hard chine boats, like the Comet, are easier and cheaper to build.
See http://www.lightningclass.org/Articles/history.html and history2.html. written by John, the son of John Barnes and Mike Yates.
I have an early-model (#2606) wooden Lightning available for free to an interested sailor/refubisher who is willing to pickup and trail her from the South Bruce Peninsula near Wiarton, Ontario, Canada.
Her hull was fiberglass-covered and her decks painted some years ago but the water level has been so low we’ve not been able to launch/moor her so she and her sails have been in dry storage.
Interested parties can contact me at 416-346-4540 or bmckie@tectran.com
Thank you.
Hello,
I’m looking for a used Lightning Sailboat and would appreciate hearing from anyone who has one for sale or knows of one that might be available. Thanks,
Gary
Email: gary_ross@telus.net
Just purchased this boat with no paperwork or information. Can someone tell me what year this boat was built.
Hull #9976. I would like to purchase a rudder, boat was missing it. Thanks,
Greg
Email or call 201-739-8072