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.
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One-Design Showcase
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 Contact: Laura Jeffers, Executive Secretary
Class Contact Email: office@lightningclass.org
Class Contact Phone: 727-942-7969
Class Website: lightningclass.org
LOA: 19 ft.
Beam: 6 ft. 6 in.
Draft: 4 ft. 11 in.
Weight: 700 lbs.
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.
Tampa Bay locals have it good year-round, but it’s more fun when winter’s escapees come to play.
The boat builder goes beyond family legacy in the Lightning Class, he’s bringing fresh energy to this vintage fleet.
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.
