lightning sailboat manufacturer

•  Print This Page
•  Text Size
•  Scroll To Top

Family Day Sailing... World Class Racing The Best of Both Worlds!

• Design: Sparkman & Stephens, 1938
• Over 15000 built
• More than 100 active 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

The International Lightning

Get the best of both worlds without compromising either, dinghy responsiveness sportboat performance the best of both worlds, refined design, today's technology the best of both worlds, the best competition in the world or a way to get away from it the best of both worlds , club racer or international icon the best of both worlds.

The ILCA is one of the oldest and best organized class associations in sailboat racing. Its primary purpose is to serve its membership, preserve the integrity of the Lightning and provide high-quality competitive events. In addition, the ILCA publishes a monthly newsletter Lightning Flashes with up-to-date regatta news, boat brokerage and ideas on how to get the most out of your Lightning. An annual Yearbook, containing many illustrated articles, reports on major championships, fleet reports and a complete association mailing list, is also published. The professional ILCA staff is always on hand to assist both current and potential members. If you're looking for a boat you can be proud to sail, one that offers dinghy handling with the performance of a sportboat, a refined design that's free of fads, complete with the technology of today for both racing and daysailing - Get The Best Of Both Worlds. Get into a Lightning. See you on the water. David Dellenbaugh, former Lightning World Champion and starting helmsman for 1992 America's Cup defender America3, lists the top ten things he likes about the Lightning:

• There's Lightning racing almost everywhere.
• Some of the best sailors in the world sail the Lightning.
• Lightnings are available from more than one high-quality builder.
• Lightnings even 20 years old are still competitive.
• The boat is one of the best crew trainers on the water today.
• The class is not so strict as to discourage experimentation which makes the boat faster and easier to sail.
• The Lightning has interested the finest sailmakers in the world so the sails and the tuning guides look great and are easy to use.
• The Lightning is a very roomy boat for daysailing.
• Lightning sailors sail hard, but they're not too cutthroat - someone's always ready to answer questions.
• The class management is as good as you'll find in one-design sailing.

International Lightning Class Association

Class contact information.

Click below

Class Email

Class Website

One-Design Class Type: Dinghy

Was this boat built to be sailed by youth or adults? Both

Approximately how many class members do you have? 1600

Photo Credit:Douglas Wake

Photo Credit: Art Petrosemolo

About International Lightning Class Association

The Lightning truly excels as an affordable racing boat. The 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. At 700 pounds all up, the trailerable centerboard sloop is tough enough to avoid frequent breakdowns, but light enough to plane wildly on the reaches. Membership is diverse with sailors aged 8 to 80+. Many families sail together at top events and it is common to see females make up at least 40% of competitors.

The Lightning is sailed in more than thirteen countries and in the Pan American Games. A World, Master World and Youth World Championships are held every two years. North American, South American and European Championships are held each year as are innumerable regional and District championships. Major regattas attract some of the finest sailors in the world, but you find Class members friendly and the sailmakers’ complete tuning guides helpful at getting you up to speed in a hurry.

The International Lightning Class Association is one of the oldest and best organized class associations in sailboat racing. Its primary purpose is to serve its membership, preserve the integrity of the Lightning and provide high-quality competitive events. In addition, the Lightning Class publishes monthly e-blasts and a quarterly newsletter Flashes with up-to-date regatta news, boat brokerage and ideas on how to get the most out of your Lightning. The professionally managed association and dedicated volunteers are always on hand to assist both current and potential members.

If you’re looking for a boat you can be proud to sail, one that offers dinghy handling with the performance of a sport boat, a refined design that’s free of fads, complete with the technology of today for both racing and day sailing – look at the Lightning.

Boats Produced: 15630+

Class boat builder(s):

Allen Boat Company, Buffalo, NY: https://www.allenboatco.com/

WindRider International: https://www.windrider.com/

Approximately how many boats are in the USA/North America? 11,000+

Where is your One-Design class typically sailed in the USA? List regions of the country:

East of the Mississippi, Mid-West, Texas, Denver, San Diego, Pacific Northwest Click Here for Fleet Finder Map: https://www.lightningclass.org/content.aspx?page_id=451&club_id=93488

Does this class have a spinnaker or gennaker? Yes

How many people sail as a crew including the helm?  3

Ideal combined weight of range of crew:  490

Boat Designed in  1938

Length (feet/inches): 19’0″

Beam: 6’6″

Weight of rigged boat without sails: 700 lbs

Draft: (board down): 4’11”, (board up): 5″

Mast Height: 26’2″

Back to One-Design Central

Copyright ©2018-2024 United States Sailing Association. All rights reserved. US Sailing is a 501(c)3 organization. Website designed & developed by Design Principles, Inc. -->

About the Lightning

Design: Sparkman & Stephens, 1938

Over 15,000 built

More than 100 active 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

Get The Best Of Both Worlds Without Compromising Either

Lightning, a nineteen-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 thirteen 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.

The Lightning truly excels as a racing boat. It requires a wide range of different skills, both tactical and technical. At 700 pounds all up, the boat is tough enough to avoid frequent breakdowns, but light enough to plane wildly on the reaches.

If you're looking for a boat you can be proud to sail, one that offers dinghy handling with the performance of a sportboat, a refined design that's free of fads, complete with the technology of today for both racing and daysailing - Get The Best Of Both Worlds. Get into a Lightning. See you on the water.

Upcoming Events

Recent lightning news.

With 150 active fleets worldwide, the Lightning Class is the largest multicrew one design in the world in terms of number of fleets, active class members, and regatta participation. Lightnings are very technical to race due to a hard-chine hull and abundant sail controls.

The Lightning Class has a high level of competition in one-design racing.  Many families compete together on a local and national level. It is amazing how all of the talented people in the class are so willing to share what they know and to help make the class better. Many of the top sailors consistently give clinics and talks at regattas as well being there to answer any questions on sail trim, tactics, boat handling, etc. This is what really makes the class keep going strong and will keep it that way for many generations.SSA has an active fleet, running the No-Gas Regatta in the spring (which typically is combined with an educational program) and the Frigid Digit Regatta in the fall (which draws a competitive fleet o approximately 40 boats). In addition many choose to sail weekday evenings, including the Tuesday night races. 

There are many nearby regattas including Washington, D.C.; Havre de Grace, Maryland; Wrightsville, Pennsulvania; and Moneta, Virginia. For those who choose to sail on a National level, they travel to the Atlantic Coast Championships (which SSA hosted in 2010), the Southern Circuit in Florida, the North American Championships (SSA hosted in 2000 and 2007), and the World Championships. There is plenty of opportunity to race for those who want to, at all levels. SSA Fleet members range from North American Champions to beginners.

Socially, we gather after our races, and at parties throughout the year while not on the race course.

More Lightning Resources

International Lightning Class Association

Lightning Class Youtube Montage

• AROUND THE SAILING WORLD
• BOAT OF THE YEAR
• Email Newsletters
• America’s Cup
• St. Petersburg
• Caribbean Championship
• Boating Safety
• Ultimate Boat Giveaway

One-Design Showcase

About the DN Iceboat

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 off wind rides. The Lightning’s rig is simple, but offers sophisticated sail shape controls. 

Our 19-foot trailerable centerboard sloop 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. 

If you’re looking for a boat you can be proud to sail, one that offers dinghy handling with the performance of a sportboat, a refined design that’s free of fads, complete with the technology of today for both racing and daysailing – Get The Best Of Both Worlds. Get into a Lightning.

Class Information:

Class Contact:  Laura Jeffers, Executive Secretary

Class Contact Email:   [email protected]

Class Contact Phone:   727-942-7969

Class Website:   lightningclass.org

Social Media:   Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Youtube  

Class Specs

LOA:  19 ft. 

Beam:  6 ft. 6 in. 

Draft:  4 ft. 11 in. 

Weight:  700 lbs. 

Spark Plugs: The A Class’s Emmanuel Cerf

At the Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta St. Petersburg, the mover and shaker of the A Class catamaran fleet builds his world championship field of dreams.

Snowbirds Descend Upon the Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta St. Petersburg

Tampa Bay locals have it good year-round, but it’s more fun when winter’s escapees come to play.

The Lightning Rod

The boat builder goes beyond family legacy in the Lightning Class, he’s bringing fresh energy to this vintage fleet.

Inside the Class: Lightning

On the morning of the final race, we sat down with a Lightning class legend and the fleet’s next generation to see what they could learn from each other.

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

Allen Boat Company

Allen boats, spars, trailers and  the very best racing equipment builder of the lightning, highlander, jet-14 and blue jay.

• 200 Cornwall Ave.
• Buffalo NY 14215, USA
• Phone: (716) 842-0800
• Fax: (716) 842-0113
• Email: [email protected]
• Email - [email protected]

Highlander Class International Association

Jet-14 Class Association

International Blue Jay Class Association

The Worldwide Leader in Sailmaking

• Sail Care & Repair
• Sailing Gear
• Find A Loft
• Sail Finder
• Custom Sails
• One Design Sails
• Flying Sails
• New Sail Quote
• 3Di Technology
• Helix Technology
• Sail Design
• NPL RENEW Sustainable Sailcloth
• Sailcloth & Material Guide
• Polo Shirts
• Sweaters & Cardigans
• Sweatshirts & Hoodies
• Accessories
• Summer Sale
• Shop the look
• Mid & Baselayers
• Deckwear & Footwear
• Luggage & Accessories
• Spring Summer '24
• North Sails x 37th America's Cup
• Sailor Jackets
• SALT X North Sails
• NS x Slowear
• T-shirts & Tops
• Sailor Jacket
• Sustainability
• North Sails Blog
• Sail Like A Girl
• 37th America's Cup
• Icon Sailor Jacket
• Our Locations
• Certified B Corporation
• North SUP Boards
• North Foils
• North Kiteboarding
• North Windsurfing

SAIL FINDER

SAILING GEAR

COLLECTIONS & COLLAB

WE ARE NORTH SAILS

ACTION SPORTS

Popular Search Terms

Organic cotton

Scuba fleece

Drawstring hood

Utility pocket

Stand collar

Sorry, no results for ""

Subscription

Welcome aboard.

We want to make our emails as relevant as possible for you.

Interests saved

Something went wrong, please try again

Welcome to North Sails

Stay up to date with the latest North Sails news.

Receive a 10% discount code for your first apparel order. Excludes sails and SUP’s. See our Terms and Conditions .

Yes, I agree to the terms of use and privacy policy.

LIGHTNING FAST WITH NORTH LIGHTNING SAILS AND SPINNAKERS

Get ready to conquer the waves with North Sails and the Lightning class! North Sails offers a range of high-performance sails designed with innovative technology that will propel you to new heights of speed and fun. Whether you're looking for the perfect mainsail, jib, or spinnaker, North Sails has you covered. With our expertise and commitment to the Lightning Class for decades, trust us to provide you with the ultimate competitive advantage. Join the ranks of Lightning sailors who rely on North Sails to dominate the racecourse. Elevate your sailing experience and make your mark in the Lightning class with North Sails by your side.

LIGHTNING SAILS

All-Purpose

All-Purpose | Radial

All-Purpose | Cross Cut

LIGHTNING TUNING GUIDE

Welcome to the Lightning Tuning Guide from North Sails – your ticket to sailing success and having a blast on the water! Whether you're a seasoned sailor or just starting out, this guide is packed with tips and tricks to help you fine-tune your J/80 and sail like a pro.

Welcome to the Lightning Tuning Guide from North Sails – your ticket to sailing success and having a blast on the water! Whether you're a seasoned sailor or just starting out, this guide is packed with tips and tricks to help you fine-tune your J/80 and sail like a pro. Get ready to unleash the full potential of your Lightning, make those exhilarating maneuvers, and leave your competition in your wake.

OPEN TUNING GUIDE

LIGHTNING EXPERTS

Brian hayes.

UNITED STATES

ALLAN TERHUNE

Jeff hayden, samuel albrecht, torkel borgstrom.

• Refresh page