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Albacore
Designer: Uffa Fox/Greg Gregory  ·  Builder: Many  ·  First built: 1954
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About the Albacore

Built primarily as a one-design racing dinghy, the Albacore represents one of sailing's most enduring and internationally recognized small boat classes. Since its introduction in the 1950s, this two-person centerboard dinghy has earned a devoted following across multiple continents, with active fleets spanning from North America to Europe and beyond. The boat's popularity stems from its exceptional balance of performance and accessibility. Designed with a generous cockpit and stable hull form, the Albacore welcomes sailors of varying skill levels while still providing the responsiveness and speed that keeps competitive racing exciting. Its forgiving nature makes it an excellent choice for sailing schools and youth programs, yet the class maintains enough sophistication to engage experienced racers. What sets the Albacore apart is its remarkable longevity in the competitive sailing scene. Decades after its debut, active racing fleets continue to thrive worldwide, supported by strong class associations that maintain strict one-design rules. This ensures fair competition while preserving the boat's original sailing characteristics. For sailors seeking an affordable entry into competitive fleet racing or simply wanting a reliable day-sailer that can accommodate two adults comfortably, the Albacore delivers proven performance wrapped in a design that has truly stood the test of time.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 14.83 ft / 4.52 m
Beam 5.08 ft / 1.55 m
Max Draft 4.17 ft / 1.27 m
Displacement 240.00 lb / 109 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood or FG
Designer Uffa Fox/Greg Gregory
Builder Many
First Built 1954
Number Built 8258
Related Sailboats ["Mutineer 15" · "Coronado 15" · "Snipe" · "470" · "Windmill"]
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Performance Ratios
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
32.85
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1.61 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 0.67 ft / 0.20 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 125.00 ft² / 11.61 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 32.85
How It Compares

vs. 470, Coronado 15, Snipe

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Albacore ★
15.0 ft
470
15.4 ft
Coronado 15
15.3 ft
Snipe
15.5 ft
LWL
Albacore ★
14.8 ft
470
14.6 ft
Coronado 15
Snipe
12.7 ft
Beam
Albacore ★
5.1 ft
470
5.5 ft
Coronado 15
5.7 ft
Snipe
5.0 ft
Displacement
Albacore ★
240 lbs
470
269 lbs
Coronado 15
385 lbs
Snipe
380 lbs
Sail Area
Albacore ★
470
137 sq ft
Coronado 15
139 sq ft
Snipe
128 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Albacore ★
470
52.7
Coronado 15
42.1
Snipe
39.1
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Albacore ★
470
2.9
Coronado 15
4.3
Snipe
5.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Albacore ★
470
3.41
Coronado 15
Snipe
2.76
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Albacore ★
32
470
38
Coronado 15
77
Snipe
83
Hull Speed
Albacore ★
470
5.1 kts
Coronado 15
4.8 kts
Snipe
4.8 kts
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