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Lark 13
Designer: Michael Jackson  ·  Builder: Parker Boats/John Baker Ltd.  ·  First built: 1967
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About the Lark 13

Small boat sailing enthusiasts have long appreciated compact dinghies that deliver both performance and simplicity, and the Lark 13 represents a thoughtful approach to this category. This single-handed dinghy was designed to offer recreational sailors an accessible entry point into small boat sailing while maintaining enough sophistication to keep experienced sailors engaged. Built with a focus on straightforward handling characteristics, the Lark 13 features a clean, uncluttered design that makes it well-suited for day sailing, sailing instruction, and casual racing at club level. The boat's proportions suggest a design philosophy that prioritizes stability and ease of handling over outright speed, making it particularly appealing to newer sailors or those seeking relaxed sailing experiences. The Lark 13's construction typically emphasizes durability and low maintenance, reflecting its intended role as a practical sailing platform rather than a high-performance racing machine. Its size makes it ideal for smaller bodies of water, protected bays, and sailing programs where easy rigging and launching are priorities. While not designed for extended cruising or challenging offshore conditions, this dinghy excels in its intended environment of protected waters and gentle sailing conditions.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 13.25 ft / 4.04 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 12.75 ft / 3.89 m
Beam 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Max Draft 3.75 ft / 1.14 m
Min Draft 0.33 ft / 0.10 m
Displacement 185.00 lb / 84 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 120.00 ft² / 11.15 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Michael Jackson
Builder Parker Boats/John Baker Ltd.
First Built 1967
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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
59.18
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
2.29
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
3.86
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. 4.78
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. 250.56
How It Compares

vs. International Fj, Ok Dinghy, Spindrift 13

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Lark 13 ★
13.3 ft
International Fj
13.2 ft
Ok Dinghy
13.1 ft
Spindrift 13
13.3 ft
LWL
Lark 13 ★
12.8 ft
International Fj
12.3 ft
Ok Dinghy
Spindrift 13
Beam
Lark 13 ★
5.5 ft
International Fj
5.3 ft
Ok Dinghy
4.9 ft
Spindrift 13
5.2 ft
Displacement
Lark 13 ★
185 lbs
International Fj
165 lbs
Ok Dinghy
159 lbs
Spindrift 13
205 lbs
Sail Area
Lark 13 ★
120 sq ft
International Fj
104 sq ft
Ok Dinghy
91 sq ft
Spindrift 13
100 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Lark 13 ★
59.2
International Fj
55.4
Ok Dinghy
Spindrift 13
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Lark 13 ★
2.3
International Fj
2.2
Ok Dinghy
2.5
Spindrift 13
3.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Lark 13 ★
3.86
International Fj
3.83
Ok Dinghy
Spindrift 13
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Lark 13 ★
International Fj
Ok Dinghy
51
Spindrift 13
62
Hull Speed
Lark 13 ★
4.8 kts
International Fj
4.7 kts
Ok Dinghy
4.5 kts
Spindrift 13
4.5 kts
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