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Us1
Designer: Ralph Kuppersmith/C. Mills  ·  Builder: Advance Sailboat / Continental Sailcraft (Usa)  ·  First built: 1973
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About the Us1

Designed with simplicity and accessibility in mind, the Us1 is a small sailboat that has earned a place in the hearts of entry-level sailors and sailing school programs. Built for sheltered waters, light recreational sailing, and introductory racing, this compact vessel offers a forgiving and straightforward sailing experience that makes it particularly well-suited for those just beginning their sailing journey. With its modest size and manageable rig, the Us1 is easy to rig, launch, and handle, making it a practical choice for day sailing on lakes, bays, and calm coastal waters. Its lightweight construction allows for responsive handling, giving new sailors a genuine feel for the wind and water without being overwhelmed by complexity. The boat's stability and predictable behavior in light to moderate conditions make it a trustworthy platform for building foundational sailing skills. While detailed specifications are limited, the Us1's reputation as a beginner-friendly dinghy speaks for itself. For those researching an affordable, low-maintenance entry point into sailing, this vessel represents a sensible and enjoyable starting place.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 15.42 ft / 4.70 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 13.50 ft / 4.11 m
Beam 4.58 ft / 1.40 m
Max Draft 2.50 ft / 0.76 m
Displacement 190.00 lb / 86 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Cat (Marconi)
Construction FG
Designer Ralph Kuppersmith/C. Mills
Builder Advance Sailboat / Continental Sailcraft (USA)
First Built 1973
Number Built 450
Related Sailboats ["Windmill" · "470" · "Snipe" · "Coronado 15" · "Bandit 15"]
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
34.48
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. 1.32 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 0.58 ft / 0.18 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 90.00 ft² / 8.36 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 34.48
How It Compares

vs. 470, Coronado 15, Snipe

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Us1 ★
15.4 ft
470
15.4 ft
Coronado 15
15.3 ft
Snipe
15.5 ft
LWL
Us1 ★
13.5 ft
470
14.6 ft
Coronado 15
Snipe
12.7 ft
Beam
Us1 ★
4.6 ft
470
5.5 ft
Coronado 15
5.7 ft
Snipe
5.0 ft
Displacement
Us1 ★
190 lbs
470
269 lbs
Coronado 15
385 lbs
Snipe
380 lbs
Sail Area
Us1 ★
470
137 sq ft
Coronado 15
139 sq ft
Snipe
128 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Us1 ★
470
52.7
Coronado 15
42.1
Snipe
39.1
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Us1 ★
470
2.9
Coronado 15
4.3
Snipe
5.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Us1 ★
470
3.41
Coronado 15
Snipe
2.76
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Us1 ★
34
470
38
Coronado 15
77
Snipe
83
Hull Speed
Us1 ★
470
5.1 kts
Coronado 15
4.8 kts
Snipe
4.8 kts
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