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- Sailboat Guide
Albacore is a 14 ′ 11 ″ / 4.6 m monohull sailboat designed by Greg Gregory and Uffa Fox and built by Russell Marine Ltd., Grampian Marine, Fairey Marine Ltd, Koma Boats Ltd., Gmach & Co. Ltd. (J. L. Gmach & Co.), Ovington Boats Ltd., Ontario Yachts, Lockley Newport Boats, Skene Boats Ltd., and O'Day Corp. starting in 1954.
Rig and Sails
Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.
The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.
Classic hull speed formula:
Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL
Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL
Sail Area / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.
SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3
- SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
- D : Displacement in pounds.
Ballast / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.
Ballast / Displacement * 100
Displacement / Length Ratio
A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.
D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
- LWL: Waterline length in feet
Comfort Ratio
This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.
Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
- LOA: Length overall in feet
- Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet
Capsize Screening Formula
This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.
CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)
A development of the original Fairey Marine SWORDFISH. The ALBACORE has remained one of the most active classes in the world well into the 21st century.
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Albacore Sailing Dinghy
Albacore sailing dinghy
Designed by Uffa Fox in 1954, the Albacore dinghy is a great first boat for those who are just learning to sail and a very competitive racer for more advanced sailors. It is often sailed by husband/wife and parent child combinations. Some of the all women teams are the most competitive in the class.
A deep, airfoil section centerboard and rudder make the Albacore exceptionally maneuverable. The Albacore’s rig uses swept spreaders supporting a tapered mast, a powerful vang, and adjustable jib halyard and other sail controls to depower in high winds – enabling both light and heavy crews to race head to head in all but the most extreme conditions. The powerful, rig and easily driven hull give excellent performance over a wide range of conditions. The Albacore is a boat that is both simple to get into at first, and one which will challenge your tuning and tactical skills for the rest of your life.
The Albacore dinghy has very popular class associations in many countries and there are reasons for this. First of all the class is a “restricted”, which means that the hull shape and sail plan are not allowed change from year to year. This has two benefits, ensuring that this year’s boat is not obsolete next season, and at the same time allowing lots of freedom for owners to plan and fit control systems to suit themselves.
The class has moved with the times in other ways, adopting most of the new materials for hull, rig and sail construction, but only once proven and at a sensible cost. This is to avoid the extremes of cheque-book sailing and thus maintaining the value and competitiveness of existing boats.
In fact, in almost all Albacore fleets there are examples of 20 year old boats, lovingly maintained, costing only a few hundreds of pounds second hand and winning races every weekend, much to the irritation of the higher sail numbers! Michael McNamara’s world champion boat was around 20 years old.
- Specification
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Length : 4.57, Beam : 1.58m Sail Area : 11.60kg
The National Albacore Association
Fascinating to see that these are still being raced in UK. I well remember regular racing at Poole Harbour back in 1968, including breaking off ice before launching, perhaps why I left for Australia. They are indeed great fun boats.
I am 84 years old and was for quite a time a member of the Bay of Colwyn Sailing Club and sailed an Albacore,racing and cruising.I had a metal centreboard and a wooden one which were used depending on what I was doing. I can rember being out in a line squall and it was the best sail I ever had.
Class Contact Information
Click below
Class Email
Class Website
One-Design Class Type: Dinghy
Was this boat built to be sailed by youth or adults? Adult
Approximately how many class members do you have? 50
Join/Renew Your Class Membership – Click here
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About Albacore
With over 8,000 boats worldwide the Albacore is clearly one of the most popular dinghies available today. Loaded with features, the Albacore boasts quality workmanship and strong class association support. Few centerboard sailboats available today are as versatile as the Albacore. Yacht clubs, sailing schools and community sailing clubs have long chosen the Albacore for their junior and adult training programs. In fact, many of the top sailors in North America learned to sail in an Albacore. The United States Albacore Association supports Albacore Fleets and activities throughout the country. The largest fleets are found on the east coast. Sanctioned events run from March until October. The class association provides a lot of benefits including a regularly published newsletter, seminars, regattas (including regional, national, North American, and international championships), and support of local fleets. Another benefit of a strong class associations is a strong market for used boats. The United States Albacore Association is dedicated to keeping the Albacore sailing fun and affordable.
Boats Produced:
Class boat builder(s):
Approximately how many boats are in the USA/North America?
Where is your One-Design class typically sailed in the USA? List regions of the country:
Mid-Atlantic
Does this class have a spinnaker or gennaker? No
How many people sail as a crew including the helm? 2
Ideal combined weight of range of crew: 350
Boat Designed in 1954
Length (feet/inches): 15’0″
Beam: 5’1″
Weight of rigged boat without sails: 240
Draft: 4″2″
Mast Height:
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Albacore Dinghy
ALBACORE AT A GLANCE
A HIGH-PERFORMANCE, COMPETITIVE DINGHY
The Ovington Albacores are built under licence issued by the RYA and the National Albacore Association – and are supplied into the UK and Canada. The Albacore is an ideal first boat for those who are just learning to sail and a very competitive racer for more advanced sailors. Powerful and adjustable sail controls allow sailors to depower in high winds – enabling both light and heavy crews to race head to head.
The Albacore is a boat that is both simple to get into at first and one which will challenge your tuning and tactical skills for the rest of your life. There are sailors racing Albacores from all walks of life and range in age from teenagers to masters pushing 80 years of experience.
Fully fitted Albacores are available in the UK from CS Boats and Pinnell & Bax.
| Fitted Hull Weight | 109kg |
| Length | 4.57m |
| Width | 1.55m |
| Mast Length | 6.95m |
| Upwind Sail Area | 11.61sqm |
| Spinnaker Area | N/A |
| Designer | Uffa Fox |
| Year Designed | 1954 |
| Number of Sailors | 2 |
| Ideal Racing Weight | 130-190kg |
Association Link albacore.org
ALBACORE PARTS
Looking for something else, we sell parts & spares.
From sails to rigging, mast fittings and covers.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Rigging and Tuning
The Albacore is a 4.57 m (15 ft) two-person planing dinghy, for lake and near-inshore day sailing. Hulls are made of either wood or fiberglass. The basic shape was developed in 1954 from an Uffa Fox design.
Recent boats retain the same classic dimensions, and use modern materials and modern control systems. A deep airfoil section centerboard and rudder make the Albacore highly maneuverable. The Albacore’s rig uses swept spreaders supporting a tapered mast, a powerful vang, and adjustable jib halyard and other sail controls to depower in high winds. This adjustability enables light crews and heavy crews to race head-to-head in all but the most extreme conditions.
It does not have a trapeze or spinnaker, and hence avoids the difficult handling of sport boats. The powerful rig and easily driven hull give excellent performance over a wide range of wind and wave conditions.
The detailed official specification is defined in the Class Rules . The nominal specifications are show below.
| Overall Length | 4.57 meters | 15 feet 0 inches |
| Beam | 1.55 meters | 5 feet 1 inch |
| Minimum Hull Weight | 109 kg | 240 lbs |
| Full Rigged Weight (without people) | 136 kg | 299 lbs |
| Sail Area – Mainsail | 8.4 m | 90 sq ft |
| Sail Area – Jib | 3.3 m | 35 sq ft |
| Draft with Centerboard and Rudder Up | 0.2 m | 8 inches |
| Draft with Centerboard Down | 1.3 m | 4 feet 2 inches |
Use these links to rig your albacore
Control Systems
- Fly Away Whisker Pole
- Split Tail Mainsheet
- Centerboard Downhaul Brake
- Vang and Jib Halyard System
- Splicing Vectran Line
- Upgrading Your Centerboard
- Replacement of the Centerboard Gasket
- Dimensions of the Hapco Milanes Albacore Centerboard
Hiking Straps
- HAPCO Hiking Strap Assembly and Installation
Tuning Guides and Techniques
- Switching to High Aspect Albacore Sails
- Albacore Sail Tuning Guide for North sails General instructions on how to tune your North Sails
- Albacore Sail Tuning Guide for MacNamara sails General instructions on how to tune your MacNamara Sails
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Albacore Dinghy
Simple to start sailing in, yet it will challenge your tuning and tactical skills for the rest of your life.
Albacore - Fast and Lively
Fast and lively whilst being relatively easy to learn to sail and race.
Albacore - Versatile
A versatile boat, often sailed by couples or parent/child combinations.
Albacore - Adaptable
The adjustable rig allows both light and heavy crews to race head to head.
Albacore - Try The Demo Boat
A fully fitted out race-spec demo boat is available for you to try, upcoming fixtures, norther championships - leigh & lowton sc, open meeting - nottingham sc, 2025 southern championships - plymouth.
From Beginner...
The Albacore is a great first boat for those who are just learning to sail. It is fast and lively while being relatively easy to learn to sail in
to Seasoned Racer
A very competitive racer for more advanced sailors. The Albacore is simple to get into at first, but it will also challenge your tuning and tactical skills for the rest of your life.
Potential new Albacore sailors have the opportunity to try out a brand-new boat, either at a local club, or by charter for use at an open event. Contact Andy Pearce: [email protected]
Review of Albacore
Basic specs..
The hull is made of fibreglass. Generally, a hull made of fibreglass requires only a minimum of maintenance during the sailing season. And outside the sailing season, just bottom cleaning and perhaps anti-fouling painting once a year - a few hours of work, that's all. Some boats has a hull made of Wood.
The boat equipped with a fractional rig. A fractional rig has smaller headsails which make tacking easier, which is an advantage for cruisers and racers, of course. The downside is that having the wind from behind often requires a genaker or a spinnaker for optimal speed.
CentreBoard
The Albacore is equipped with a centreboard keel. A centreboard keel is a pivoting lifting keel, allowing to sail both coastal and inland waters.
The boat can sail close to the beach as the draft is just 0.23 - 0.33 meter (0.75 - 1.05 ft) dependent of the load. See immersion rate below.
Sailing characteristics
This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.
The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Albacore is about 49 kg/cm, alternatively 279 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 49 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 279 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.
Sailing statistics
This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.
What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?
Maintenance
This section is reserved boat owner's modifications, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.
Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what you have done.
We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Albacore it would be a great help.
If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.
© Copyright Simon Richards and Newburgh Sailing Club 2024
The Albacore - Designer: Uffa Fox
“The only successful boat ever designed by a committee,” is how former Olympic sailor and chief salesman at Fairey Marine Charles Curry once described the National Albacore. Unlike its predecessors, the Firefly and the Swordfish, this 15- footer, launched in 1954, was not designed by Uffa Fox per se , but was in fact an amalgam of ideas from other boats built at the time by Fairey Marine, brought together by the company as a replacement for an unpopular design.
Birth of the Alabacore The unpopular boat in question was the 15ft (4.6m) Swordfish which had been designed in 1946 by Uffa Fox as a larger version of the Firefly. Despite an obvious demand for such a design, it had proved unsuccessful due to its heaviness, lack of freeboard aft and price, but it was this design that was used as the basis for the Albacore. Length overall, beam and sail area were kept the same, but the hull was tweaked to produce more freeboard and more strength in the aft sections. Hull sections from the Firefly were incorporated, too, as were the mast and mainsail from another Fairey design, the 14ft (4.3m) Gannet.
Canadian Influence
Within a year, 30 boats had been built on the production line at Fairey Marine. By 1956 interest had been sparked abroad, too. Hyannis Port YC in Massachusetts was the first overseas club to introduce a fleet when it imported 16 Fairey- built Albacores; it was soon followed by the Royal Canadian YC, which used the class for its junior sail training.
Its popularity quickly spread in Canada, more so than anywhere else in the world – over the past 52 years, 6,200 of the 8,100- plus Albacores built have been based or built there. There are now established fleets in seven countries worldwide, including one in Cyprus.
Hot Stuff As with all Fairey Marine designs, the early Albacores were constructed from three veneers of hot- moulded agba. The MkI, of which 700 were built, had an aft deck and bench seats with buoyancy bags beneath and was built until 1964.
Following a fire at Fairey Marine, during which the MkI moulds were lost, the MkII was launched. This differed only slightly from its predecessor and around 1,000 were built before production ceased in 1969. Kit versions were also produced at this time, some of which were fitted out by JD Young and others by amateur boatbuilders.
The GRP & FRP Albacore
The first GRP Albacore was built by Whitby Boat Works in Ontario, Canada, in 1961 (see sidebar); since then construction has kept pace with modern techniques. Aldridge- based Speed Sails, which took over production from Jack Holt in 1997, is now the sole UK Albacore builder, and uses epoxy foam sandwich construction.
Restricted Design
Like the Firefly, the Albacore is a restricted design, which means that although strict rules govern the hull shape and sail plan there is a reasonable amount of flexibility in how the boats are fitted out. The hull shape has evolved over the years, however, with the latest design including built- in side and bow buoyancy tanks and no aft deck. On the water, the Albacore, with its plumb stem, round bilges and flat sections aft, is a lively and capable racer. In 10 knots of breeze, it can easily get up on the plane and provide an exhilarating ride for its two crew.
Compared with the Firefly, it offers a slightly more stable, predictable performance, but not at the expense of speed. It is still one of the fastest non- spinnaker designs on the market.
Biplane name
The design was named after the Fairey Albacore, a single- engined, torpedo bomber biplane Fairey- built, 1940- 1944.
A new Albacore from Speed Sails costs around £8,995. Second- hand Albacores can be picked up for as little as £400, but up to around £7,000 for a high- spec glassfibre boat in good racing condition.
Albacore challenge
At 15 feet in length and 240 pounds hull weight, the Albacore is a great first boat for those who are just learning to sail and a very competive racer for more advanced sailors. The Albacore is a fast and lively boat while being relatively easy to learn to sail and race. Swept spreaders supporting a tapered mast with a powerful vang and adjustable sail controls allow a crew to depower in high winds - enabling both light and heavy crews to race head to head A very versatile boat, it is often sailed by husband/wife and parent child combinations. Some of the all women teams are the most competitive in the class. Those looking for a simple to learn, yet high performance sailing dinghy can join the ranks of Albacore sailors who come from all walks of life and range in age from teenagers to masters pushing 80 years of experience.
The Albacore is a boat that is both simple to get into at first, and one which will challenge your tuning and tactical skills for the rest of your life.
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Albacore 15 Specifications |
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Potomac River Sailing AssociationAlbacore fleet. Class Website The Albacore is a 15-foot sloop-rigged one-design dinghy typically raced by two people, but it can also be sailed for fun by one person alone, or three to four people depending on weight. The Albacore is used extensively for racing and recreation in the US, Canada, and the UK. It’s a great first boat for those who are just learning to sail, and a very competitive racer for more advanced sailors. While the Albacore is a fast and lively boat, it is relatively easy to get up to speed and the racing is very tactical. A very versatile boat, it is often sailed by husband/wife and parent/child combinations. Some of the all women teams are the most competitive in the class. Albacore sailors comprise an eclectic group from all ages and walks of life, including students, professionals, senior executives, and retirees ranging in age from 15 to 85. A used ready-to-race boat usually costs from $1,000 to $4,000 ( contact the Fleet Captain for more information ). New boats sell for about $16,000. Key contacts: Eva Hogan (fleet captain) – [email protected] Barney Harris (active sailor, boat builder, can help you find a boat) – [email protected] Janice Rathjen (can help get crew connected) – [email protected] Fleet email list (to subscribe request to join the PRSAAlbacores Google Group or email the fleet captain to request to be added) United States Albacore Association The Fleet also gives out several PRAF perpetual awards each year at their AGM. Booster Award Freshman Booster Award Most Improved B Skipper Jib Tender Award Deep Six Award Most Abused Crew One Design Racing In The Nation's Capital Since 1935 US Albacore AssociationAlbacore sail tuning guide – north. PDF Version IntroductionThe settings in this guide will help you get the most out of your Albacore North Sails. As always experimentation and documenting will enhance your specific boat. The weight of the crew, the balance of the boat, the stiffness of the mast and local wind and sea conditions will impact your tuning. This guide was developed with the Superspar M2 mast and B2 boom. Boat Set-Up: FoilsThe basic hull and foil set up is similar for most Albacore builders and sails. Typically the centerboard is moved as far aft in the boat as the rule allows. The minimum allowable distance from the transom to the leading edge of the centerboard when lowered 90° to the hull is 2600 mm measured along the curve of the hull. It is normal to have the board within 1 5mm of this measurement. It is increasingly common to rake the centerboard forward in flat water and in winds less than approximately 1 2 knots. Ensure the board can do this and that the 90° position is clearly marked and visible inside the boat. The trend is also to have flexible centerboards that have good gust response and give a slight gibing effect when raked forwards in light to moderate winds. Make sure that the centerboard and rudder are aligned. With the mast off and the boat upside down, stand behind the boat and sight along the foils. I f they are not aligned, normally the rudder has to be moved to bring the foils into alignment. Mast Butt Position and RakeThe maximum forward position of the mast butt is 3350 mm measured from the aft face of the transom to the fore side of the mast at the foot. 3335 mm is the recommended starting point for North sails. This will provide sufficient pre-bend without compromising the ability to ram the mast far enough aft to allow the boom to pivot around the leeward shroud while sailing downwind. The most robust measurement for rake is to mark the mast at the hull sheer line. Put a straight edge across the partners aft of your mast and measure down the shear line on both sides of the boat. Use the hull skin to deck intersection. Calculate the average of those two. Place a mark on your mast that same average distance down from the top deck. Disconnect the bottom of the headstay and swing it to the mark you just made on your mast. Mark the headstay at that point. (extend with line if necessary). Replace the headstay back to the bow. Hoist the jib and tighten the halyard just enough to take the slack out of the shrouds. The mark on your headstay measured to the top surface of the deck at the bow should be about 6”. I f it is not you may need to move your shrouds up or down to achieve the 6″. This is your max forward light air setting. In winds above 1 5 knots it is common to pin the shrouds down one pin from this position. Above 20 knots two pins is common. North SailsNorth Albacore Sails are cut to be powerful. Both main and jib have a fair amount of depth which is needed for superior downwind performance. In order to achieve superior upwind performance proper mast bend is required. The objective is to add just enough bend to keep the leech tell- tales flickering while in full power mode, and then as much bend as is required to flatten the sails in stronger winds. Bend is achieved primarily with boom vang, but pulling the mast forward at the partners, easing the jib halyard, and lots of main sheet all contribute to mast bend. A system to increase the bend of the mast at the partners is very important. A strut is the preferred method because it it raises the fulcrum where the bend occurs, but a simple tackle system at the partners will suffice. In most wind conditions upwind the mast must be pulled forward or “pre-bent” so that it resides about 1 ” -2” from front of the partners. In very light winds the mast will have to be bent all the way to the front of the partner to open the leech. In strong winds the mast should be allowed to bend to within 0.5” of the partner (any more than that and you risk over-bending and damaging the mast when you ease the head-stay). In light winds the mast will be fully pre-bent while reaching. The amount of pre- bend is gradually reducing as the wind increases. The correct time to reduce the pre-bend can be hard to judge, however if the mast is not pre-bent enough, the luff of the main is too full and the leech ticklers are difficult to fly all at the same times as the ticklers 1 /3 back from the luff. When this is correct, all ticklers can be flown. A good way to check the spreaders is to set the mast at the max forward, light air position. There should be zero shroud deflection in any plane (I.E. totally straight shrouds with no deflection at the spreader tips). Put your eye close to the chainplate and sight up the shrouds. This should produce a spreader length of about 1 5-1 5.5” and a sweep of approx. 7” (Standard spreaders have to be shortened to achieve this). This position is a good starting point for crew weights of up to 360 lb. Above this consider increasing the length of the spreaders by 0.5-1 ”. Jib Sheeting PositionA good way to start is to fold the jib head to the jib tack and mark the mid- point of the luff. Then draw a line on the clew patch from this point to the clew of the jib. By eye extend this line down to the jib track. Experience has shown that the best light/moderate jib lead position is about 4-6” aft of this point. Further forward of this and the lower third of the jib can get too full. As the wind increases the jib car needs to be moved aft. In very strong winds this sheeting position can be as much as 1 0” aft of the starting position. This will flatten the foot of the jib and open the leech. It is important not to over-sheet the jib so that the main is backwinded, or, the jib leech tell tail is stalled. The jib height must be adjusted so that the foot of the jib is in full contact with the foredeck upwind. The jib height can be adjusted through the lashing of the sail to the wire at the head. It is a good idea to raise the jib in light air to get extra sail area, and lower it in heavy air to keep the foot touching the deck when the jib car is moved aft. Main/Jib CunninghamThe function of the cunningham is to move the point of max depth forward, or aft in the sail. Tightening the luff pulls the max depth forward. Maintain the max depth of the main just forward of half way. The more the mast bends the more Cunningham will be required. The jib max depth should be further forward about 1 /3 of the way back from the luff. (like an airplane wing) It is important that the jib and main cunningham are released off wind. The North main is powerful at the foot so it is important that this is restrained upwind. In very light winds the outhaul is pulled so that the foot is taught. Above 1 5 knots it is pulled very tight. When reaching the outhaul needs to be eased. Maximum power is approximately 2-3” of release on the outhaul. This will be sufficient to open the foot of the main. Jib Halyard TensionIn light winds upwind, the jib halyard is often set to allow for about 2” of sag at the mid luff. This should provide great speed and a wide groove. Tightened a little to improve pointing or slackened a bit to increase speed. Limiting Jib wire sag to about 2″upwind is important until the wind becomes overpowering. Above this, the sag is less important because the jib halyard is let off to increase mast bend and rake. It is a good idea to mark your halyard adjuster to know where your rake is. Check the section above “Mast Butt Position and Rake”. Mark your halyard adjuster on the mast at a point where you achieved 6” of rake. Then make a scale on it in 1 ” increments. 8-1 0″ of rake is common at the upper wind ranges. The halyard is loosened, the vang is tightened and the shrouds are pinned down. While reaching the jib halyard is eased to achieve 2-4” of jib wire sag. Many of the top boats have a system to tension the fore-stay while reaching in light to moderate conditions. With this applied, the halyard can be loosened to give jib luff sag and a powerful jib without affecting the mast bend control. The vang is completely loose in light winds. As the wind increases a little use the vang to keep the top batten parallel with the boom. More and more vang is used as the wind builds. Once you are both hiking a harder vang will bend the mast and depower the sails. It is a sensitive control and too much vang can lead to a sail with too tight a leech, or too flat a main. Too little vang can lead to too deep a main, or too much twist. Correct vang adjustment and appropriate jib halyard are critical to maintaining good balance and the right amount of power. When reaching the vang is used to keep the top of the main from getting too loose. Good reaching speed is obtained with constant adjustment of vang and deck level mast bend in response to the changing conditions. Try to keep all of the main ticklers flying. Wing on WingWhen wing on wing, it is important to get the boom out as close to 90° as possible, and the jib foot snug. With this in mind, the jib halyard is loosened off by at least 6” and the mast rammed all the way to the back of the partners. It is common to let the jib halyard off to give 8”+ of jib wire sag. Above 6-8 knots get the jib out and away from the mainsail. Normally the centerboard is fully in the case and the boat is heeled to windward. Vang should be set to give just a small amount of leech twist as can be seen from the photo. George Carter 2015 International Champion Albacore Sailing Dinghy. Racing, cruising, or learning to sail it's the boat for you!
Latest NewsUs nationals. USAA Mid-Atlantic Championship Dave Irey Memorial RegattaThis is the big one- There will be serious competition for both the Presidents Fleet and Challenger Fleet. USAA Mid Atlantic ChampionshipPRSA Spring Regatta & USAA Mid-Atlantic Championships Join us for this annual event at West River Racing...cruising...learning to sail... Whatever your priority, the Albacore is the right choice for you! With over 8,000 boats worldwide the Albacore is clearly one of the most popular dinghies available today. Loaded with features, the Albacore boasts quality workmanship and strong class association support. Few centerboard sailboats available today are as versatile as the Albacore. Yacht clubs, sailing schools and community sailing clubs have long chosen the Albacore for their junior and adult training programs. In fact, many of the top sailors in North America learned to sail in an Albacore. The United States Albacore Association supports Albacore Fleets and activities throughout the country. The largest fleets are found on the east coast. Sanctioned events run from March until October. The class association provides a lot of benefits including a regularly published newsletter, seminars, regattas (including regional, national, North American, and international championships), and support of local fleets. Another benefit of a strong class associations is a strong market for used boats. The United States Albacore Association is dedicated to keeping the Albacore sailing fun and affordable. Recent Classifieds
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Identify Albacore
Wood AlbacoresGrp albacores. By Peter Duncan This guide is to help owners of Albacores identify the builder, age and sail number of Albacores. As created, this resource focused on Albacores built and sailed in North America, UK built boats are also identified where significant numbers have been imported to North America. In time, this resource can be extended to include many UK builders as data is developed. Rules require that the sail number of all Albacores be engraved in keel aft of centerboard case or in transom in letters at least 1 inch high. This rule did not go into effect until about 1968- boat # 2000. Boats built prior to this date may not have this identification on the hull. There are some boats built later than this point that did not comply with this rule. If a 3 or 4 digit number as described above is found in a boat, it is most likely the sail/hull number for that boat. If such a number is not found, then other means must be used to identify the boat. Prior to boat #2000 there may be some duplication of numbers as several builders in different countries started their own numbering sequence. Boat numbers higher than 2000 should be unique regardless of country of manufacture or use. The following are descriptions for each builder and give approximate dates and ranges for sail numbers they produced. Numbers on sails with a boat are also a good indication of the boat number, but as sails are frequently lost or purchased second hand, this is a less reliable method of identifying a boat. If you have a boat that is not pictured here, please photograph it (view of cockpit from the stern is most helpful) and send photos to webmaster [at] albacore [dot] org . We will try to identify the boat and add it to the listing. Information sources for this document include:
Original compilation by Peter Duncan, 2004 Once you have identified your Albacore, you can add it to the class registry by clicking on the following link to Creat New Boat .
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Sailboat Specifications Definitions Hull Type: Centerboard Dinghy: Rigging Type: Fractional Sloop: LOA: 15.00 ft / 4.57 m ... The ALBACORE has remained one of the most active classes in the world well into the 21st century. ... more powerful boat that will be better able to stand up to the wind. Bal./Disp = ballast (lbs)/ displacement (lbs)*100 ...
The Albacore is a 4.57 m (15 ft) two-person planing dinghy, for lake and near-inshore day sailing. Hulls are made of either wood or fiberglass. The basic shape was developed in 1954 from an Uffa Fox design. Recent boats retain the same classic dimensions, and use modern materials and modern control systems. A deep airfoil section centerboard ...
An Albacore dinghy planing Albacore racing fleet rounding the windward mark. The Albacore is a 4.57 m (15 ft) two-person planing dinghy with fractional sloop rig, for competitive racing and lake and near-inshore day sailing. Hulls are made of either wood or fiberglass. The basic shape was developed in 1954 from an Uffa Fox design, the Swordfish. Recent boats retain the same classic dimensions ...
The Complete Guide to Albacore Sailing. By Barney Harris 6701 and 8011. The Albacore is a great boat for racing. It's rounded hull sections, deep airfoil centerboard and rudder make the Albacore exceptionally manoeuvrable - a roll tacking machine. The powerful, rig and easily driven hull give excellent performance over a wide range of ...
Albacore is a 14′ 11″ / 4.6 m monohull sailboat designed by Greg Gregory and Uffa Fox and built by Russell Marine Ltd., Grampian Marine, Fairey Marine Ltd, Koma Boats Ltd., Gmach & Co. Ltd. (J. L. Gmach & Co.), Ovington Boats Ltd., Ontario Yachts, Lockley Newport Boats, Skene Boats Ltd., and O'Da...
Albacore sailing dinghy. Designed by Uffa Fox in 1954, the Albacore dinghy is a great first boat for those who are just learning to sail and a very competitive racer for more advanced sailors. It is often sailed by husband/wife and parent child combinations. Some of the all women teams are the most competitive in the class. A deep, airfoil ...
About Albacore. With over 8,000 boats worldwide the Albacore is clearly one of the most popular dinghies available today. Loaded with features, the Albacore boasts quality workmanship and strong class association support. Few centerboard sailboats available today are as versatile as the Albacore. Yacht clubs, sailing schools and community ...
Albacore Specifications. Portsmouth Rating: 90.7. The Albacore is a lightweight, planing dinghy. Sloop rigged with main and 3/4 height jib, the Albacore is typically raced with a crew of two, but the cockpit has room for day sailing with up to 4 adults. A pivoting centerboard and kick up rudder allow for easy use in shallow or weed-laden waters.
The real proof is in the sailing. While the Albacore is a fast and lively boat, it is relatively easy to get up to speed and the racing is very tactical. Albacore class members comprise an eclectic group from all ages and walks of life including students, professionals, senior executives, and retirees who range in age from 15 to 71.
For a wooden boat I would suggest that a good quality breathable cover is essential. If you are going to do a lot of trailing of your boat then an undercover to protect the hull from road grime is highly recommended. Albacore top covers range in price from about £120-£200. An undercover will cost around £120.
The Albacore is a boat that is both simple to get into at first and one which will challenge your tuning and tactical skills for the rest of your life. There are sailors racing Albacores from all walks of life and range in age from teenagers to masters pushing 80 years of experience. Fully fitted Albacores are available in the UK from CS Boats ...
The United States Albacore Association is dedicated to keeping the Albacore sailing fun and affordable. 2025 Regattas, News. 2025 Worlds Save the Date - October 11-17, 2025. May 19, 2024 US Albacore Leave a comment. 2025 Worlds Notice: THE NEXT ALBACORE WORLDS WILL BE IN
The Boat. The Albacore is a 4.57 m (15 ft) two-person planing dinghy, for lake and near-inshore day sailing. Hulls are made of either wood or fiberglass. ... The nominal specifications are show below. Overall Length: 4.57 meters: 15 feet 0 inches: Beam: 1.55 meters: 5 feet 1 inch: Minimum Hull Weight: 109 kg: 240 lbs:
The Albacore is a great first boat for those who are just learning to sail. It is fast and lively while being relatively easy to learn to sail in. to Seasoned Racer. A very competitive racer for more advanced sailors. The Albacore is simple to get into at first, but it will also challenge your tuning and tactical skills for the rest of your ...
The Albacore is a fast and lively boat while being relatively easy to learn to sail and race. Swept spreaders supporting a tapered mast with a powerful vang and adjustable sail controls allow a crew to de-power in high winds - enabling both light and heavy crews to race head to head A very versatile boat, it is often sailed by husband/wife and ...
The Albacore can cover a wide range of needs and the particular boat you buy should match your skills and objectives. Albacore can be rigged to be as simply as any two sail cruising sloop, or as complicated as any hot performance dinghy. This is one of the beauties of the class. The rules establish the basic parameters of the boats ensuring ...
The Albacore is equipped with a centreboard keel. A centreboard keel is a pivoting lifting keel, allowing to sail both coastal and inland waters. The boat can sail close to the beach as the draft is just 0.23 - 0.33 meter (0.75 - 1.05 ft) dependent of the load. See immersion rate below.
The design was named after the Fairey Albacore, a single-engined, torpedo bomber biplane Fairey-built, 1940-1944. Albacost. A new Albacore from Speed Sails costs around £8,995. Second-hand Albacores can be picked up for as little as £400, but up to around £7,000 for a high-spec glassfibre boat in good racing condition. Albacore challenge.
Albacore 15 Sailboat pictures, a collection of Albacore 15 sailboats with specifications and photos. Albacore Sailboat Photo Gallery: Home: Lessons: Rentals: How To: Forums: Videos: Texas Regattas: ... Albacore 15 Specifications LOA 15'0" Beam 5'4" Weight 240 lb Sail area 125 sq.ft.
The Albacore is a 15-foot sloop-rigged one-design dinghy typically raced by two people, but it can also be sailed for fun by one person alone, or three to four people depending on weight. The Albacore is used extensively for racing and recreation in the US, Canada, and the UK. It's a great first boat for those who are just learning to sail ...
Boat Set-Up: Foils. The basic hull and foil set up is similar for most Albacore builders and sails. Typically the centerboard is moved as far aft in the boat as the rule allows. The minimum allowable distance from the transom to the leading edge of the centerboard when lowered 90° to the hull is 2600 mm measured along the curve of the hull.
The United States Albacore Association is dedicated to keeping the Albacore sailing fun and affordable. Recent Classifieds. Donate your old Albacore to our College Sailing program 5 years 46 weeks ago 1 reply; Albacore Sail number Hull 2838 11 years 21 weeks ago; Albacore # 8122 Hapco Marine
Rules require that the sail number of all Albacores be engraved in keel aft of centerboard case or in transom in letters at least 1 inch high. This rule did not go into effect until about 1968- boat # 2000. Boats built prior to this date may not have this identification on the hull. There are some boats built later than this point that did not ...