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Tango
Designer: Peter Milne  ·  First built: 1972
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About the Tango

Designed by Peter Milne in 1972, this compact centerboard dinghy represents classic British small boat design philosophy with its clean lines and versatile sailing characteristics. The fiberglass construction ensures durability while keeping maintenance requirements manageable for weekend sailors and families. At just under 15 feet overall, the Tango excels in protected waters, coastal sailing, and as a capable day sailor for small crews. The fractional sloop rig provides excellent control and manageable sail handling, while the generous sail area to displacement ratio of 50.17 delivers spirited performance in light to moderate conditions. The centerboard configuration allows for shallow water exploration and easy launching from beaches or ramps. With a beam of 5.50 feet and displacement of 240 pounds, this dinghy strikes an appealing balance between stability and portability. The hull speed of 4.88 knots provides respectable pace for a boat of this size, while the low comfort ratio of 2.8 confirms its intended role as a day sailor rather than an overnighter. The Tango's design characteristics make it particularly well-suited for sailing instruction, recreational day sailing, and light racing in club environments. Its modest draft and trailerable size offer flexibility for exploring different sailing venues.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 14.67 ft / 4.47 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 13.25 ft / 4.04 m
Beam 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Max Draft 2.40 ft / 0.73 m
Min Draft 0.54 ft / 0.16 m
Displacement 240.00 lb / 109 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 121.00 ft² / 11.24 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Peter Milne
First Built 1972
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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
50.17
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
46.06
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
2.8
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
3.54
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 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. 260.39 pounds/inch
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