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Fireball
Designer: Peter Milne  ·  First built: 1962
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About the Fireball

Originally designed in the 1960s by Peter Milne, this spirited two-person dinghy has earned a devoted following among racing enthusiasts worldwide. The Fireball's distinctive trapeze-rigged design allows the crew to harness maximum power from its generous sail plan, making it an exhilarating choice for competitive sailing. Built for speed and responsiveness, this high-performance dinghy demands skill and athleticism from its crew. The boat's planning hull and modern rig configuration deliver impressive acceleration and top-end speed, particularly appealing to sailors who crave the intensity of fleet racing. Its design philosophy emphasizes pure sailing performance over comfort, with every element focused on extracting maximum speed from prevailing conditions. The Fireball has maintained a strong presence in club racing circuits and regional championships across multiple countries. Its reputation centers on providing an accessible entry point into high-performance dinghy sailing while offering enough complexity to challenge experienced racers. The boat's active class association ensures consistent rules and competitive sailing opportunities. This dinghy suits sailors seeking adrenaline-pumping performance sailing rather than leisurely coastal cruising, making it an excellent choice for those wanting to develop advanced boat handling skills in a competitive environment.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 16.17 ft / 4.93 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 13.25 ft / 4.04 m
Beam 4.42 ft / 1.35 m
Max Draft 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
Displacement 170.00 lb / 77 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 123.00 ft² / 11.43 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood or FG, single chine
Designer Peter Milne
First Built 1962
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
64.17
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
2.57
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
3.19
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 4.88
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. 209.26
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