Sport Boat / One-Design Racer
Planing downwind and racing tight fleets
Light, powerful keelboats with big asymmetric spinnakers. They plane downwind and race in strong one-design classes. Accommodation is minimal. They reward a skilled, coordinated crew.
Length 6–9 m (20–30 ft)
Typical price €15k–60k used
Strengths
- Thrilling speed and planing
- Great one-design racing
- Often trailerable
Weaknesses
- Needs a practiced crew
- Little or no cabin
- Racing sails wear out fast
Ratings
7
4
1
9
3
2
7
3
4
4
4
Typical hull materials
Example models (6)
| Model | Length | Built | Hull |
|---|---|---|---|
| J/70The most popular sportboat class in the world; ramp-launchable | 23 ft · 6.9 m | since 2012 | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| J/80Big international one-design fleets | 26 ft · 7.9 m | since 1993 | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Melges 24Pioneering planing sportboat with strong US and European fleets | 24 ft · 7.3 m | since 1993 | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| SB20Tony Castro design; affordable, very active class · class or historic type, built by many yards | 20 ft · 6.2 m | since 2002 | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| Viper 640Light 2–4 person boat under strict one-design rules · class or historic type, built by many yards | 21 ft · 6.4 m | 2000s– | Fibreglass (GRP) |
| RS21Modern, easy-to-rig keelboat for club and corporate racing | 21 ft · 6.4 m | since 2016 | Fibreglass (GRP) |