2025 Dinghy racing starts on Tuesday May 20, about 5:30 pm. We have several types of boats who participate with us on Tuesdays:  Lasers; Butterflys; Sunfish; a Holder 12; a Windrider 17; and a Force 5.

The Laser is just under 14 feet, and is the men’s single handed dinghy raced in the Olympics.  It responds well to kinetics (weight shifts) and active sail trim.  You can typically get into a used one for between $800 and $3000.

(A Force 5 is about the same size and rated just slightly slower than a Laser, with harder chines and a cockpit that’s more accommodating for two.)

The Butterfly is scow shaped (blunt nosed), and is slower than the Laser, but more stable.  Another really nice feature is that they have a mainsail halyard, so you can lower the sail easily.  Butterflies are solid and affordable and popular enough to have lots of content on the interweb about how to make them perform.  And you can find them used for as little as $300-$1,000.

Then there are the Sunfish.  There may be one or two available to sail.

Yes, you read those last two paragraphs right: if you want to sail and don’t have a boat, contact us at dinghysailing@csyc.org.  We likely have Butterfly’s and Sunfish available.  I really believe that dinghy sailing will make you a better overall sailor.  You become much more sensitive to wind direction, wind strength, sail shape, and boat trim on the small boats, and that heightened awareness translates into better big boat sailing.  

Want to try your hand at a small boat without the pressure of a race?   Come join us on Sailstice dates (Saturday, June 21 in 2025) for Dinghy Demo Days.  Several of us will have our boats available in Roxborough Cove for you to try, and we will be there to help you get started reaching, tacking, gybing, and also trying capsize recoveries to build your skills and confidence.  We look forward to sailing with you!