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.
The International Lightning
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.
Family Daysailing . . .
World Class Racing
The Best Of Both Worlds
BIRTHPLACE: Right here in Skaneateles, which is why we like them!
Design: Sparkman & Stephens, 1938
Over 15000 built
More than 500 fleets worldwide
Length: 19′0″ (5.8m)
Beam: 6′6″ (2m)
Displacement: 700 lb (318 kg)
Draft (board down): 4′11″ (151.3cm)
(board up): 5″ (12.8cm)
Mast height: 26′2″ (7.9m)
Sail area (main & jib): 177 sq.ft.
(spinnaker): 300 sq.ft.
Crew (racing): 3
Skaneateles historical sites of interest include Shotwell Memorial Park, once acclaimed as “one of the most beautiful war memorials in the country”.
The Skaneateles Historical Society is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the history of Skaneateles.
Office and The Creamery Museum are located at 28 Hannum Street, Skaneateles, NY 13152.
Hours are seasonal, or, by appointment; please call 315-685-1360.
The Town of Skaneateles Historian is Ms. Beth Batlle, C/O the Town Hall, 24 Jordan Street, Skaneateles, NY 13152.
The Village of Skaneateles Historian is Ms. Pat Blackler, 28 Hannum Street, Skaneateles, NY 13152 or email .
The Steering Committee for the Boat Museum is headed by Bent Thomsen.
The Skaneateles Historical Society is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the history of Skaneateles.