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Yngling
Designer: Jan Linge  ·  First built: 1967
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About the Yngling

Originally designed by Jan Linge in 1967 as a scaled-down version of the classic Soling keelboat, the Yngling has earned a respected place in the world of one-design racing. Compact, responsive, and genuinely fun to sail, it attracts both seasoned racers and those looking to develop their competitive skills in a forgiving yet performance-oriented platform. Built for inshore and buoy racing, the Yngling thrives in sheltered waters where its nimble handling and stable keel design can be fully appreciated. It is a strict one-design class, meaning fleet racing is decided by sailor skill rather than equipment advantages — a quality that has long made it popular with clubs and national sailing programs around the world. The boat gained significant international recognition when it was included as an Olympic class for women at the 2004 Athens Games, cementing its reputation as a serious racing vessel. Typically sailed by a crew of three, it rewards tactical awareness and precise teamwork. For those researching a boat suited to competitive club racing with a strong class community, the Yngling is well worth serious consideration.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 20.83 ft / 6.35 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 15.42 ft / 4.70 m
Beam 5.67 ft / 1.73 m
Max Draft 3.44 ft / 1.05 m
Displacement 1,323.00 lb / 600 kg
Ballast 683.00 lb / 310 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 156.00 ft² / 14.49 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Jan Linge
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
20.75
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
11.88
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
2.07
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. 5.26
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
3.71
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. 312.4
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 18.7
J (Foretriangle Base) 6.56
P (Mainsail Luff) 22.31
E (Mainsail Foot) 8.53
SA Fore 61.34
SA Main 95.15
How It Compares

vs. Nimble 20, Precision 21, Varianta

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Yngling ★
20.8 ft
Nimble 20
20.9 ft
Precision 21
20.8 ft
Varianta
21.0 ft
LWL
Yngling ★
15.4 ft
Nimble 20
19.8 ft
Precision 21
17.5 ft
Varianta
17.7 ft
Beam
Yngling ★
5.7 ft
Nimble 20
7.8 ft
Precision 21
8.3 ft
Varianta
6.9 ft
Displacement
Yngling ★
1 lbs
Nimble 20
1 lbs
Precision 21
1 lbs
Varianta
1 lbs
Ballast
Yngling ★
683 lbs
Nimble 20
400 lbs
Precision 21
600 lbs
Varianta
573 lbs
Sail Area
Yngling ★
156 sq ft
Nimble 20
207 sq ft
Precision 21
203 sq ft
Varianta
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Yngling ★
20.8
Nimble 20
22.0
Precision 21
21.4
Varianta
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Yngling ★
Nimble 20
21.6 %
Precision 21
32.0 %
Varianta
44.1 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Yngling ★
11.9
Nimble 20
9.3
Precision 21
9.4
Varianta
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Yngling ★
2.07
Nimble 20
2.53
Precision 21
2.68
Varianta
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Yngling ★
Nimble 20
107
Precision 21
156
Varianta
104
Hull Speed
Yngling ★
5.3 kts
Nimble 20
6.0 kts
Precision 21
5.6 kts
Varianta
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Yngling ★
3.7
Nimble 20
Precision 21
3.7
Varianta
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