The Flying Fifteen Class
What's a Flying Fifteen?
A beginner's introduction to the boat
The Flying Fifteen (or F15) is a two-person sailing dinghy. The F15 is a keelboat, designed for racing. The keel is quite big and heavy, so capsizes are very rare.
Why the Flying Fifteen is among Ireland's spectacular sailing successes
Afloat's WM Nixon on how the Flying Fifteen has the X-factor to survive and thrive...
'Today’s Flying Fifteens may have been technically refined to the ultimate degree to give maximum sport for the minimum of hassle. But their current runaway success – they’re far and away the biggest keelboat One Design class in Dublin Bay – is down to a friendly and very active local class association, and its readiness to reach out the hand of friendship and encouragement to anyone who might be thinking of joining the class’s ranks.'
Read the full story here
Boat spec
Flying Fifteen facts
| Designer | Uffa Fox | |
| Overall Length | 20 ft | 6.1 m |
| Waterline Length | 15 ft | 4.6 m |
| Beam | 5 ft | 1.52 m |
| Draft | 2 ft 6 in | 0.76 m |
| Mast Height | 22 ft 6 in | 6.86 m |
| Sail Area | 150 sq ft | 14 sqm |
| Spinnaker Area | 140 sq ft | 13 sqm |
| Hull Weight | 300 lb | 136 kg |
| Keel Weight | 400 lb | 169 kg |
| Minimum Weight | 685 lb | 305 kg |
| Racing Crew | Two | |
| Ideal Crew Range | 18 - 28 st | 145 - 185 kg |
| Source: Flying Fifteen New Zealand website | ||
Participation trends
Alan Green has compiled some interesting statistics on participation in FFAI events since 2002, with the period from 2008 illustrated below. Overall, the figures show the travelling fleet holding up well.
4,000 and counting...
July 21 2012 marked an extraordinary milestone for the Flying Fifteen International class, with the launch of the 4,000th boat constructed since the design came off the drawing board of legendary designer Uffa Fox in 1947. Read this report from yachtsandyachting.com.
