Designed by Clark Mills in 1953, this compact dinghy has earned its place as one of America's most enduring small boat designs with over 5,700 hulls launched. The Windmill represents classic single-handed sailing at its finest, combining responsive handling with forgiving characteristics that make it equally appealing to novice sailors and racing enthusiasts. At just over 15 feet, the Windmill's fractional sloop rig and centerboard configuration deliver exceptional performance in light to moderate conditions. The boat's relatively high sail area to displacement ratio of 56.09 provides spirited acceleration and nimble response, while the deep draft of 4.17 feet ensures impressive upwind capability for its size. Built in both wood and fiberglass by Advance Sailboat Corp., these boats have proven remarkably durable over seven decades of production. The Windmill excels in protected waters, small lakes, and coastal bays where its shallow draft allows exploration of shoal areas larger boats cannot access. With a comfort ratio of 2.59, this is purely a day sailor designed for exhilarating short-handed sailing rather than extended cruising. The design's longevity and active one-design racing fleet speak to its well-balanced characteristics and enduring appeal among small boat sailors.
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vs. 470, Coronado 15, Wayfarer