Bombardier Invitation

Built by the Canadian manufacturer Bombardier starting in 1973, the Invitation represents an interesting chapter in small boat sailing history. This compact 15.58-foot dinghy features a distinctive cat-rigged setup with an unstayed mast, making it exceptionally simple to rig and sail while offering responsive handling characteristics that appeal to both novice sailors and experienced dinghy enthusiasts. The fiberglass construction ensures durability while keeping maintenance requirements minimal compared to wooden alternatives of the era. With its centerboard configuration and shallow 2.99-foot draft, the Invitation excels in protected waters, shallow bays, and lake sailing where its ability to beach easily becomes a significant advantage. The boat's light 181-pound displacement makes it easily trailerable and manageable for single-handed launching. The generous sail area relative to the boat's size provides spirited performance in light to moderate conditions, though the high sail area-to-displacement ratio suggests this is primarily a fair-weather sailor. The low comfort ratio and moderate capsize screening numbers indicate the Invitation is best suited for day sailing and short coastal hops rather than extended cruising. This makes it an ideal choice for sailing instruction, recreational day sailing, or as a tender for larger vessels.

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