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View Full Version : 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
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.