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Zephyr Dinghy
Designer: Des Townson  ·  Builder: Des Townson  ·  First built: 1956
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About the Zephyr Dinghy

Designed and built by Des Townson beginning in 1956, this compact centerboard dinghy represents classic small boat sailing at its finest. With its cat-rigged Marconi sail plan and lightweight 126-pound displacement, the Zephyr Dinghy offers an ideal platform for learning the fundamentals of sailing or enjoying leisurely day sails in protected waters. The boat's 12.80-foot length and generous 4.76-foot beam provide surprising stability for such a small craft, while the centerboard configuration allows for easy launching from beaches and exploration of shallow waters. Its wood and fiberglass construction reflects the transitional building methods of the late 1950s, combining traditional craftsmanship with emerging materials technology. With 210 boats built over its production run, the Zephyr Dinghy earned a reputation as a reliable trainer and recreational sailor. The simple cat rig eliminates the complexity of a jib, making it particularly well-suited for single-handed sailing or instruction. The boat's 75 square feet of sail area and favorable sail area-to-displacement ratio of 47.77 ensure lively performance in moderate conditions, while the capsize screening formula of 3.8 indicates appropriate stability for coastal sailing in suitable weather conditions.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 12.80 ft / 3.90 m
Beam 4.76 ft / 1.45 m
Displacement 126.00 lb / 57 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 75.00 ft² / 6.97 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Cat (Marconi)
Construction Wood/FG
Designer Des Townson
Builder Des Townson
First Built 1956
Number Built 210
Associations Zephyr Dinghy of New Zealand
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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
47.77
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
43.68
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
2.11
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. 4.42 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. 1.11 pounds/inch
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