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.

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.