Lightning Fleet On The Lake Ever?

Ridgefarmer63 · 08-12-2011, 08:25 AM

Rumor has it that there used to be a fairly sizable Lightning fleet on the lake. Anybody care to share some info on the subject?

Thanks..

Pineedles · 08-12-2011, 08:46 AM

Are you talking about a cutter that has a lightning bolt on its mainsail? For many years there was one that sailed out of Centre Harbor.

BroadHopper · 08-12-2011, 10:40 AM

If you are talking about the Lightning Class sailboats, yes, after WWII this class was the most popular on the lake. I participated with my Dad in many weekend Lightning races in the late 50's, early 60's from Saunders Bay out into the broads. It was a popular boat, affordable by the middle class.

Ridgefarmer63 · 08-12-2011, 10:47 AM

A Lightning is a 19 foot hard chined sailboat. There is a fleet at Squam. I thought I had remembered some one mention that there had beed a large fleet at Winni. I am closer to Winni (5 miles) and would love the thought of another Lightning fleet getting started.

Thanks for the reply

Ridgefarmer63 · 08-12-2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

If you are talking about the Lightning Class sailboats, yes, after WWII this class was the most popular on the lake. I participated with my Dad in many weekend Lightning races in the late 50's, early 60's from Saunders Bay out into the broads. It was a popular boat, affordable by the middle class.

I heard it was a fairly large fleet. Would love to see that again on the lake.

mphatc · 08-21-2011, 09:29 AM

The Lightning Fleet on Winnipesaukkee was Fleet #246 . . associated through WYC in Saunder's Bay. There were also active fleets on Sunapee and Squam, the later being #332.

I'd venture that with the increased size of powerboats on Winni back in the late 60's and 70's many centerboard sloops were replaced with displacement hulls, Ensign 22 Sea Sprite 22, San Juan 24 to better handle the waves.

Recall that back then Gilford Marina had just developed into a large operation and the boat traffic increase in Saunders Bay had a negative effecton sailing.
The WYC used to have a race course in the bay.

Mario L.

fatlazyless · 08-22-2011, 06:20 PM

http://www.squamlakes.org/specialevents/index.php has a Lightning Sailing Regatta, Diamond Ledge, 2:00 - 5:00pm scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, August 27-28.

08-12-2011, 08:25 AM	#1
Ridgefarmer63 Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New Durham, NH Posts: 39 Thanks: 23 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Lightning Fleet On The Lake Ever? Rumor has it that there used to be a fairly sizable Lightning fleet on the lake. Anybody care to share some info on the subject? Thanks..

08-22-2011, 06:20 PM	#7
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,528 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 296 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	http://www.squamlakes.org/specialevents/index.php has a Lightning Sailing Regatta, Diamond Ledge, 2:00 - 5:00pm scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, August 27-28. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

08-12-2011, 08:46 AM	#2
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,535 Thanks: 1,059 Thanked 652 Times in 363 Posts	Are you talking about a cutter that has a lightning bolt on its mainsail? For many years there was one that sailed out of Centre Harbor.

08-12-2011, 10:40 AM	#3
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,512 Thanks: 3,118 Thanked 1,090 Times in 784 Posts	Lightning Class If you are talking about the Lightning Class sailboats, yes, after WWII this class was the most popular on the lake. I participated with my Dad in many weekend Lightning races in the late 50's, early 60's from Saunders Bay out into the broads. It was a popular boat, affordable by the middle class. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

08-12-2011, 10:47 AM	#4
Ridgefarmer63 Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New Durham, NH Posts: 39 Thanks: 23 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	A Lightning is a 19 foot hard chined sailboat. There is a fleet at Squam. I thought I had remembered some one mention that there had beed a large fleet at Winni. I am closer to Winni (5 miles) and would love the thought of another Lightning fleet getting started. Thanks for the reply

08-21-2011, 09:29 AM	#6
mphatc Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The Lightning Fleet on Winnipesaukkee was Fleet #246 . . associated through WYC in Saunder's Bay. There were also active fleets on Sunapee and Squam, the later being #332. I'd venture that with the increased size of powerboats on Winni back in the late 60's and 70's many centerboard sloops were replaced with displacement hulls, Ensign 22 Sea Sprite 22, San Juan 24 to better handle the waves. Recall that back then Gilford Marina had just developed into a large operation and the boat traffic increase in Saunders Bay had a negative effecton sailing. The WYC used to have a race course in the bay. Mario L.