One of America's most enduring one-design racing classes, this Sparkman & Stephens creation from 1938 has built an impressive legacy with over 15,000 hulls launched across eight decades. Originally crafted in wood and later adapted to fiberglass construction, the Lightning represents classic small-boat racing at its finest. At 19 feet overall with a beam of 6.5 feet, this fractional sloop-rigged centerboard dinghy strikes an ideal balance between performance and manageability. The modest 700-pound displacement keeps the boat responsive and exciting to sail, while 172 square feet of sail area provides ample power for spirited racing or recreational sailing. The centerboard configuration allows for trailer sailing and shallow water exploration, making it versatile for various sailing venues. Designed primarily for racing, the Lightning excels in competitive one-design fleets where crew skill determines the winner rather than equipment differences. The boat's relatively low comfort ratio of 5.46 reflects its racing pedigree, prioritizing speed and agility over creature comforts. With active fleets across North America, the Lightning remains popular among sailors seeking affordable, competitive racing in a boat that rewards precise sailing technique and tactical awareness.
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- Based on asking prices — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition, year, location, and included equipment are not factored in.
- Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering.
- See our full analysis: What Thousands of Sailboat Listings Tell Us About Used Boat Prices.
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What is the Lightning's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Lightning has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 34.96. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Lightning's comfort ratio?
The Lightning has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 5.46. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Lightning safe for offshore sailing?
The Lightning has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.93. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Lightning?
The theoretical hull speed of the Lightning is 5.23 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Lightning weigh?
The Lightning has a displacement of 700.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 19.00 ft.
How much does a used Lightning cost?
Based on 4 recent market listings, used Lightning sailboats typically sell for between $3,200 and $3,200, with a median asking price of $3,200. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Lightning?
The Lightning was designed by Sparkman & Stephens, first built in 1938.