Back to Search
Ok Dinghy
Designer: Knud Olsen  ·  First built: 1957
+ Add to Compare
About the Ok Dinghy

Designed by renowned Danish naval architect Knud Olsen in 1957, this single-handed dinghy has earned its place as one of sailing's most respected development classes. With over 11,000 hulls built across six decades, the Ok Dinghy represents a perfect balance of performance, accessibility, and competitive sailing excellence. At 13.10 feet overall with a narrow 4.92-foot beam, this centerboard dinghy delivers exceptional responsiveness and speed while remaining manageable for sailors of varying skill levels. The unstayed cat rig keeps things beautifully simple, eliminating the complexity of standing rigging while providing 91 square feet of working sail area. This configuration makes the boat particularly appealing for both recreational sailing and serious competition. The Ok Dinghy's lightweight 159-pound displacement and plywood/fiberglass construction contribute to its lively performance characteristics, while the high sail area to displacement ratio of 49.64 ensures exciting sailing in moderate conditions. Originally conceived as an affordable alternative to more expensive racing dinghies, it has evolved into a sophisticated platform that rewards skilled helmsmanship. Today's Ok Dinghy sailor enjoys access to active fleets worldwide, making it ideal for club racing, regional championships, and international competition, including World Championships that attract sailing's elite athletes.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 13.10 ft / 3.99 m
Beam 4.92 ft / 1.50 m
Displacement 159.00 lb / 72 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 91.00 ft² / 8.45 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Cat (unstayed)
Construction Plywood/FG
Designer Knud Olsen
First Built 1957
Number Built 11000
Associations OK Dinghy International Association
Owner Reviews

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

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
51.41
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
2.49
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. 4.47 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. 1.17 pounds/inch
Find a Ok Dinghy For Sale