Chapter 39

Lightings

Lightnings built by Seaman Seacrait Co. racing in Manhasset Bay, L. I. There are now over 5,100 Lightnings.
 
LENGTH: 19 FT. SAIL AREA: 177½ SQ. FT. WEIGHT: 715 LBS. BEAM: 6½ FT. MAXIMUM DRAFT: 5 FT. MINIMUM DRAFT: 6½ IN.
 
The Lightning was designed by Spark-man & Stephens, Inc., of New York City, and the first racing fleet was formed in 1939. It is a 19-foot knockabout with a cockpit that's 10½ ft. long. C. L. Nicholson II was the sponsor of the first fleet and served as the first President of the Lightning Class Association, which was formed in New York on January 12, 1939. Gilbert L. Wolf and John L. Koehne were the first Vice-Presidents and E. Gordon Cronk was the first Secretary-Treasurer.

There are now 5,100 Lightnings sailing in 38 different countries. Organized races are held in 15 of these countries under the auspices of 226 recognized fleets.

One of the outstanding features of the Lightning is that it can be used not only for racing, but also as an afternoon sailer. There is room enough in the generous cockpit for an owner to entertain six or eight members of his family and friends.

This versatile little craft also has been used for ocean cruising. At two different times—in the fall of 1949 and the fall of 1950—a group of seven Lightings sailed from Los Angeles Harbor to Santa Catalina Island and back, a distance of 22 miles each way across a channel that is often rugged. On each occasion, the participants slept aboard the boats at Santa Catalina Island for two nights. There were from two to four people aboard each boat and the trips were made with no mishaps.

Lightning No. 1, shown above, was built by Skaneateles Boats.
 
Glori B. owned by Commodore Carl J. Ackerman of the Coronado Y. C.
 
Nearly completed Lightning at Hubert S. Johnson's boatyard.

Lightnings being constructed at Hubert Johnson's. Boat at rear is coming off assembly fixture.

The boat has proved itself in heavy going on other occasions. One of the outstanding examples of this was the first race in the 1942 National Championships, which were held at South Haven, Mich. The 18 Lightnings that participated in this race had 35-mph winds to contend with, which on Lake Michigan is really something.

One of the leading personalities in the class is Walter E. Swindeman, Jr., of Toledo. He was International Champion in 1946 and again in 1947 and lost out in 1948 by but one point. He served as President of the Association in 1951 and at present is Honorary Commodore.

Another man who has done a lot for the class is Wayne L. Brockett, of North Haven, Conn. He is President of the Association and before being elected to that post was Secretary. He has also edited Flashes, the Association's monthly paper.

Approximately 30 per cent of the boats have been built by amateurs. Construction has purposely been kept simple. For information about plans, write to O. S. Cain, Executive Secretary, Lightning Class Association, 308 Center St., South Haven, Mich.

The outstanding professional builders of the boat are Skaneateles Boats Co., Inc., Skaneateles, N. Y., who constructed Lightning No. 1; Seaman Seacraft Co., Roslyn, N. Y.; and Hubert S. Johnson, Inc., Bay Head, N. J.

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