Olin Stephens April 2, 2003
The recent letter about Olin Stephens made a great point about an amazing man. Those of us dedicated our beloved square boat–the Lightning get to thank him in person every 10 years at our anniversary regattas. As a tribute to our history, the ILCA has purchased and is donating Lightning Hull # 1 to The Mystic Seaport Museum in August during our Woman’s, Junior’s, Master’s North American Championships in Connecticut. Anyone wishing to support this donation, may send to contributions to: ILCA P.O.Box 10747 Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Those Masters over the age of 55 with a total crew age of 130 years and invited to get a boat and join us!
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.
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.
Teriffic Digital Library Site
Skaneateles Lake (New York)
“Skaneateles is certainly one of the gems of the Finger Lakes, especially when viewed from points near its southern end. Here, the closeness and steepness of the trough walls create the impression of a glacial fjord, and the unique, greenish tint of its clear water further enhances the image because it so resembles ocean water in appearance.” (From Roadside Geology of New York by Bradford B. Van Diver, Mountain Press, 1985, p. 203.) Alternate spellings in historical literature: Skaneatelis, Scaneatles, Skaneatles, Skanetelas, Skaneatlas, Skaneatelas, Skaneatele, Skan-e-a-ties, Skeh-ne-a-ties (Onondaga for Long Lake). You can hear the correct pronunciation for “Skaneateles” (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language)
