Back to Search
Iota
Designer: Bruce Kirby  ·  Builder: Stur-Dee Boat Co. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1986
+ Add to Compare
About the Iota

Designed by renowned naval architect Bruce Kirby in 1986, this compact daggerboard dinghy represents a thoughtful approach to small boat sailing. With only eight hulls ever built by Stur-Dee Boat Co., the Iota remains an exceptionally rare find in today's market. At just over 12 feet in length, this fiberglass cat-rigged dinghy delivers impressive performance despite its modest dimensions. The relatively narrow beam and low displacement create a responsive boat that's well-suited for experienced dinghy sailors seeking spirited performance on protected waters. Kirby's design philosophy shines through in the boat's efficient sail plan, which generates excellent power while remaining manageable for single-handed sailing. The daggerboard configuration provides excellent upwind performance and allows for easy launching from beaches or shallow ramps. With a hull speed approaching 5 knots, the Iota can surprise sailors accustomed to heavier dinghies. The moderate comfort ratio suggests this boat prioritizes performance over stability, making it ideal for coastal day sailing and small boat racing rather than leisurely family outings. Given Bruce Kirby's reputation as designer of the iconic Laser, the Iota likely incorporates similar attention to sailing dynamics and responsiveness that made his other designs legendary.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 12.25 ft / 3.73 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 11.88 ft / 3.62 m
Beam 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Max Draft 2.58 ft / 0.79 m
Min Draft 0.42 ft / 0.13 m
Displacement 220.00 lb / 100 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 71.00 ft² / 6.60 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Dbrd. Dinghy
Rigging Type Cat (Marconi)
Construction FG
Designer Bruce Kirby
Builder Stur-dee Boat Co. (USA)
First Built 1986
Number Built 8
Related Sailboats Butterfly · Comet Od Uk · Hobie One 12 · Phoenix 12 · Twitchell 12
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

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
31.2
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
58.58
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
3.32
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
3.31
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. 4.62 kn
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. 212.24 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Butterfly, Comet Od Uk, Hobie One 12, Phoenix 12, Twitchell 12

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Iota ★
12.3 ft
Butterfly
12.0 ft
Comet Od Uk
11.3 ft
Hobie One 12
12.0 ft
Phoenix 12
12.0 ft
Twitchell 12
12.0 ft
LWL
Iota ★
11.9 ft
Butterfly
Comet Od Uk
Hobie One 12
10.2 ft
Phoenix 12
11.7 ft
Twitchell 12
10.8 ft
Beam
Iota ★
5.0 ft
Butterfly
4.5 ft
Comet Od Uk
4.5 ft
Hobie One 12
5.0 ft
Phoenix 12
4.8 ft
Twitchell 12
4.5 ft
Displacement
Iota ★
220 lbs
Butterfly
137 lbs
Comet Od Uk
110 lbs
Hobie One 12
125 lbs
Phoenix 12
185 lbs
Twitchell 12
165 lbs
Sail Area
Iota ★
71 sq ft
Butterfly
75 sq ft
Comet Od Uk
70 sq ft
Hobie One 12
Phoenix 12
Twitchell 12
Performance
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Iota ★
3.3
Butterfly
2.6
Comet Od Uk
2.3
Hobie One 12
Phoenix 12
Twitchell 12
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Iota ★
58
Butterfly
57
Comet Od Uk
54
Hobie One 12
52
Phoenix 12
51
Twitchell 12
57
Hull Speed
Iota ★
4.6 kts
Butterfly
4.3 kts
Comet Od Uk
4.2 kts
Hobie One 12
Phoenix 12
Twitchell 12
Find a Iota For Sale