Designed by William F. Crosby in 1936, this classic centerboard dinghy represents one of America's most enduring one-design racing fleets. With approximately 1,000 boats built over the decades, the National One Design has maintained a devoted following among sailors who appreciate traditional racing in a pure, uncluttered design. At 17 feet overall with a fractional sloop rig, this boat delivers spirited performance on protected waters while remaining manageable for intermediate sailors. The centerboard configuration allows for shallow water exploration and easy trailering, while the 137 square feet of sail area provides ample power for competitive racing. Originally constructed in wood by Ray Greene & Co., later fiberglass versions have helped preserve the class while reducing maintenance requirements. The National One Design excels in one-design fleet racing, club sailing, and daysailing on bays, lakes, and protected coastal waters. Its relatively light 400-pound displacement and narrow beam create a responsive, athletic feel that rewards good sailing technique. The boat's low comfort ratio and moderate capsize screening value indicate it's best suited for day sailing rather than extended cruising, making it an ideal choice for sailors seeking pure sailing enjoyment and competitive racing in a time-tested design.
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What is the National One Design's sail area to displacement ratio?
The National One Design has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 40.43. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the National One Design's comfort ratio?
The National One Design has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 4.92. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the National One Design safe for offshore sailing?
The National One Design has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 3.08. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the National One Design?
The theoretical hull speed of the National One Design is 4.34 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a National One Design weigh?
The National One Design has a displacement of 400.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 17.00 ft.
Who designed the National One Design?
The National One Design was designed by William F. Crosby, first built in 1936.