allen lightning sailboat

Allen Boat Company

Allen boats, spars, trailers and the very best racing equipment builder of the lightning, highlander, jet-14 and blue jay.

200 Cornwall Ave.
Buffalo NY 14215, USA
Phone: (716) 842-0800
Fax: (716) 842-0113
Email: [email protected]
Email - [email protected]

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International Blue Jay Class Association

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Interested in a Lightning?

(First-Time Buyers Guide)

What Do I Need to Know to Get Started?

Also note that most organized sailing venues are clubs. These clubs vary in facilities, activities, and cost. Know the local club situation before you buy a boat.

If you are interested in restoring an older boat we have a very active group, to communicate with this group on the front page of the web site, top navigation links, find Resources, then the bottom link will be Wooden Boats. Follow this link to a wealth of information and resources.

What Do I Need to Know About the Boat?

The Lightning was designed in 1938 as a wooden planing sloop. The boat saw very rapid growth until 1942, again in the early 1950’s and then in the 1960’s as sailors turned to fiberglass hulls.

What is perhaps unusual in the boat is that the designers, Sparkman and Stevens, gave the Class association not only rights, but ownership of the design and the name. All royalties for many of the boat’s components, including the hull, mast, and sails go to the International Lightning Class Association, who also regulates the design and the Class activities. This fact is probably the biggest single reason for the continued success of the Class. It is also the reason the boat gets but limited “press” in the various journals or shows. Class ownership means limited manufacturer control and fewer paid advertisements. Over time the boat has evolved into a superb match of the needs of the rig and crew to the capabilities of fiberglass shapes. About the only thing which could benefit greatly benefit from the tremendous shaping advantages that glass offers over wood is the bottom, especially the flat forward entry. However the hull shape is what defines the boat. That shape is the hallmark characteristic.

The rig itself is very capable and in many ways was front runner as a modern, backstayed, flexible mast design. While rig changes, including sails, reefing etc, are infinitely possible, the rig is a great performer as it is. Simply put, the rig is under powered below 8 knots, perfect from 8 to 15 knows, overpowered but controllable to 25 knots and requires considerable skill above 25 knots.. As will all sailboats, one should look at the prevailing wind velocities where they plan to sail before deciding the Lightning is the right boat for them.

Other details the first time buyer should know about include saltwater. Saltwater is hard on boats…period. With lots of freshwater boats out there, take a harder look at any boat based in saltwater. In northern climates, also look for damage and delaminations. Generally speaking, because of the flat bottom and lack of reefing, Lightnings are more common on inland lakes and many coastal bays where light to moderate winds prevail during the sailing season. Water where the sailing season is defined by howling wind and chop, such as the US west coast from San Francisco north, do not see many Lightnings. Many larger bodies of “calmer” saltwater, such as the Chesapeake Bay and Biscayne Bay do see fleets of Lightnings.

At present there are few competitive wooden hulls. Buy them as daysailors, project boats, or show pieces. Most of the early fiberglass boats are also non-competitive. Some of the 1970’s boats could be competitive but were built with foams that absorbed water. By 1980, most of the bugs were worked out of the fiberglass hull designs. Evolution since then has been to make the boat more comfortable, more sensitive, and easier to recover in a capsize. Some changes to the rigging, including the location of the upper shrouds in 1986, means that tuning guides and sails focus on boats newer that this.

Buy the newest boat one can afford. Unless you have seen or know the boat, don’t shop for a boat older than 1990. Sails last for a year or two for the top sailors and stay competitive for 5 years in fleet races. THE source for used boats and sails is ILCA web site http://www.lightningclass.org/ Classified Ads. THE thing to know is that the classified go on the internet first. Really hot stuff, like newer used boats are often sold the night the ad shows up on the web and long before Flashes is printed. This means that buying a good used boat from a private individual requires regular checking of the web page. This will also help you understand the pricing of the used boats.

Another solution is to buy from a broker. One of the best is Joe Dissette, in Michigan. Joe has a barn full of reconditioned Lightnings. He gets a good buck for his boats, but you can be much more certain that “good condition” is exactly that.

For nearly all used boat transactions, legal trailering home, if bought on a weekend (when the seller’s DMV is closed), can be difficult. Forethought and creative approaches in getting the boat back are needed.

How Do I Read the Ads in the Class Newsletter or Web Page?

Hull/deck color – If you are serious about racing, get a white hulled boat. Remember that colored gelcoats finishes are hard to match and fade out over 10 years. Try not to get a white deck as the glare is brutal. Other items include the color of the bootstripe, deck stripes, etc., which varies from boat to boat.
Oval mast and boom by Allen, Bryant, or Nickels.
Harken or Ronstan fittings (almost guaranteed on boats 14200 and up).
Stainless steel centerboard (SS board- also std on 14200 newer boats).
Full, modern side controls (std on 14300 and up).
Spinnaker twings.
Drums – These are winches to take up the board and vang. Avoid them unless they are in good shape.
Trailer – Look for a galvanized OEM trailer. There are lots of rusty homebuilts out there.
Sails – Look for the sailmaker's name common to your area. Used sails vary a lot. If they are more than 6 years old, probably get newer ones.
Accessories – Covers, spare rudders, etc. can add value, but vary widely in condition. Full covers for a Lightning can cost over $1000 new, but typically add a few hundred used. Look for a mooring/deck cover and a compass.
Weight – The class minimum is 700 pounds (with certain things out of the boat). The more competitive you are and the more you pay for the boat, the more you should insist on 700 pounds. Being a few pounds overweight is not as critical as other things, like good sailing. Most boats are built light and ballasted. Changing the ballast can mean revising the measurement certificate. Occasionally the ballast is removed or modified when it should not be. The current weight on a used hull is often not available.
Price – Price is subjective and is greatly affected by age, condition, the race record and the seller's expectations.
Contact – Finally the ad tells where to call or e-mail and what state the boat is from.

Set your expectations about competitiveness. Balance that with your boat handling experience and your budget, and start shopping!

Good Luck, Steve Little—Fleet 484

Sponsor Number	URL address
Sponsor 1	https://www.marksetbot.com/
Sponsor 2	http://www.onedesign.com/Default.aspx
Sponsor 3	https://www.thesailinginc.com/lightning
Sponsor 4	http://nickelsboats.com/
Sponsor 5	http://awardandsports.securesites.net/
Sponsor 6	http://www.capitallogoinc.com/shop/pc/home.asp
Sponsor 7	http://www.rookesails.com/
Sponsor 8	http://www.sailorstailor.com
Sponsor 9	https://www.harken.com/
Sponsor 10	http://www.sailorstailor.com

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One Design Parts

Lightning Parts

West Coast Sailing is your source for Lightning sailboat parts and accessories. The Lightning has 60 years of tradition behind it. This competitive 19-foot trailerable centerboarder is one of the most competitive one-design classes today. But whether you're interested in serious racing or just want to go for a ride, the Lightning gives you what you're looking for. Some great sailors have been 'struck by Lightning': Ted Turner, Dennis Conner, Ken Read, Bill Shore, and Greg Fisher to name a few.

Qty in Cart

Lightning Jib Sheet 2:1 Continuous

Lightning Jib Sheet 2:1

Lightning Jib Sheet 1:1

Lightning Mainsheet (Fusion)

Lightning Mainsheet (SSR)

Lightning Spin Halyard

Lightning Spinsheet (SSR)

Lightning Spinsheet Tapered

Lightning Spinsheet (Ultra-Lite)

Harken 13 mm Traveler Car w/ Shackle

Harken Cam Cleat Swivel Base w/ 150 Aluminum Cam

Harken 22 mm Double Upright Bullet Block

Harken 40 mm Carbo Block Traveler w/ 29 mm Block

Harken 29 mm Carbo Clew Blocks w/ Ring

Harken Thru-Deck 44 mm Dinghy Block

Ronstan Cam Cleat Fairlead Medium Grey

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Rigging - halyards, sheets, and wires.

West Coast Sailing has a full range of designs for all Lightning running and standing rigging which can be built to order in our rig shop. Email our team at [email protected] to learn more . Products coming to our online store Spring 2022.

Rigging Diagram

Use the diagram below to reference Harken part numbers to appropriate application on your Lightning sailboat. Parts recommendations are offered as a guide for common applications.

Adjustable Ball bearing Lead Car

Upgrading to an adjustable lead car system allows you to change your lead under sail without having to tack to unload the car. The Micro CB traveler cars are very small and lightweight, but strong—perfect for the Lightning.

Belowdeck Vang System

This split boom vang lets you easily adjust the vang from both sides while hiking. The 24:1 purchase uses lightweight Carbo blocks for the power needed to control sail shape without adding weight to the boat. The cascading system uses small high-tech line to help keep everything clean above deck.

Diagram provided by Harken. West Coast Sailing is an approved seller of Harken sailboat hardware.

Looking for other sailboat parts? We can help!

General Parts & Hardware - We offer a huge selection of General Parts including hardware, blocks, cleats, shackles, accessories and more here .

Product Suggestions - If you're looking for a specific part for Lightning sailboat that you cannot find, let us know. We are actively working to expand our one design parts offering and welcome your input for parts you think we should be stocking to make it easier for you to get back out on the water. Submit you idea via our Product Suggestion Form (opens in new tab).

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Allen Lightning, 1983 at [email protected]

Posted 2024-09-17 09:06

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Lightning Sailboat - $2,500 (Fair Haven)

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Lightning Sailboat - boats - by owner - marine sale - craigslist

1983 Allen Lightning #13787 ready to sail. Rigged for racing. Mainsail and Jib are day sailing quality. Two spinnakers are in good shape; one looks very good and one has a couple patches. One blue...

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Sailboat Guide

1970 Allen Lightning

Description

Seller's Description

1970s Lightning sailboat that needs some work. We started renovating it with new floor boards, teak trim, but now it needs someone else to take it to it’s final ready state. Great boat for someone wanting to get her to the water and wind.

Equipment: All sails, keel, rudder, cover and many parts. Comes on a trailer that is included. More photos available upon request.

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)

One of the most popular one-design classes in the US since the 1940’s. But fleets also exist in other parts of the world. Although originally designed for wood planked construction, nearly all boats since the early 1960’s have been built of fiberglass. Ballast above is max weight of centerboard.

This listing is presented by SailboatListings.com . Visit their website for more information or to contact the seller.

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ER turns 30! See where the cast is now, including George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, and more

Catch up on the latest with your favorite stars from the hit medical drama.

NBC/courtesy Everett

Before the advent of Grey's Anatomy , TV watchers craving a peek into the histrionic lives of doctors and nurses turned to ER , a 23-time Emmy -winning show that captivated fans for 15 seasons on NBC .

Premiering 30 years ago on Sept. 19, 1994, Michael Crichton 's medical drama set in the fictional Cook County General Hospital became an immediate hit, drawing in more than 30 million viewers in its first two seasons and skyrocketing the careers of future stars like George Clooney and Julianna Margulies .

Since its finale in April 2009, ER fans have been itching for a reboot, yet some former cast members doubt they could recapture the magic of the original. "I have to say, it's such great television," Clooney said of a potential spinoff during the ER cast's 2021 virtual reunion . "It's stunning work, and I felt that way about a lot of the episodes I saw. [But] it's hard to catch lightning again."

Even if we never get another dose of our favorite emergency room docs on screen, this TV classic offers a hefty 331 episodes to give us our fix. Ahead, see what the season 1 stars of ER have been up to — three decades after the show's debut.

George Clooney (Doug Ross)

A decade after his stint as Ace on the '80s sitcom E/R , George Clooney landed his career-defining role as Dr. Doug Ross on ER , earning two Emmy nominations. Though he exited after five seasons to focus on film — making brief returns in seasons 6 and 15 — Clooney has stayed connected with his former costars beyond the hectic hallways of Chicago's County General Hospital.

"I guess it was the friendship I have with all of them and that I continue to have," the actor said in a 2022 interview on The Drew Barrymore Show . "They're really good friends. And so I feel that [ ER ] was a job of a lifetime. And it changed my career."

He then made the transition from TV to movies, starring in hits such as the Ocean's trilogy (2001, 2004, 2007) and Gravity (2013), in addition to stepping behind the camera for films including Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) and Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) — the latter of which is set to be adapted for the Broadway stage in 2025 (with Clooney making his Broadway debut as both actor and playwright). He made his return to TV in Hulu 's limited series adaptation of Catch-22 , based on the Joseph Heller novel. Other directorial efforts from Clooney include Suburbicon (2017), The Midnight Sky (2020), The Tender Bar (2021), and The Boys in the Boat (2023).

An Academy Award nominee across several categories, he has taken home two Oscars — Best Supporting Actor for Syriana (2005) and Best Picture for Argo (2012). He also received the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2015, the Honorary César in 2017, and the Kennedy Center Honor in 2022.

Since 2014, Clooney has been married to human rights lawyer Amal Clooney , with whom he shares twins Ella and Alexander.

Anthony Edwards (Mark Greene)

With acting credits for projects like Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and Top Gun (1986) already to his name, Anthony Edwards joined the ER cast as Dr. Mark Greene, staying for eight seasons and winning a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Drama in 1998. Despite the show's serious plot points, Edwards fondly remembers that the cast kept things light.

“That’s the best memory of ER is that we laughed so much,” Edwards said during a 2017 interview on PeopleTV’s Couch Surfing . “We were always laughing. I think because the subject material was so heavy that we were always looking for ways to laugh.”

Since leaving ER , the actor has gone from solving medical mysteries to addressing conspiracies on Zero Hour and carrying out justice as Judge Stanley Weisberg in Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders (on which he reunited with his former ER costar, Mariska Hargitay , who plays Cynthia Hooper). Edwards' other TV credits include Designated Survivor , Inventing Anna , WeCrashed , and Tales of the Walking Dead .

From 1994 to 2015, Edwards was married to make-up artist Jeanine Lobell, with whom he shares three daughters and a son. He later eloped with actress and longtime friend, Mare Winningham.

Julianna Margulies (Carol Hathaway)

Julianna Margulies' troubled and lovelorn Carol Hathaway was originally supposed to die in the pilot episode , but instead became a mainstay for six seasons and a guest star for one season 15 episode. However, when it comes to revisiting the NBC medical drama, Margulies believes it's best to just let things be.

"I don't think you can reboot it," she said during the ER cast's virtual reunion in 2021. "You can't capture lightning in a bottle twice. I think you have to leave what was so beautiful and move on. Because it just feels like it would cheapen it for me."

After her ER stint, Margulies traded in her scrubs for power suits in pursuit of no-nonsense characters, appearing on shows like The Sopranos and Canterbury's Law before landing her most prominent role as Alicia Florrick on The Good Wife — for which she earned two Emmys (in addition to the Emmy she won for ER 's first season). Other post- ER credits have included The Hot Zone , Billions , and The Morning Show .

Since 2007, Margulies has been married to attorney Keith Lieberthal. Together, they have a son named Kenneth.

Sherry Stringfield (Susan Lewis)

Sherry Stringfield was a primary lead on ER as the skilled yet docile Dr. Susan Lewis...that is until she left in the middle of season 3 — despite having a five-season contract — to focus on her personal life. (She returned for seasons 8–12 and the series finale.)

"People can get certain good things out of fame, but until it killed [ Princess Diana ], nobody ever talked about how bad it can be," Stringfield told EW in 1997 about her decision to leave ER the year before. "It was a little scary.... It’s like when you walk away from a really wonderful job like that, you start messing with everyone’s priorities."

Since her tenure on ER , Stringfield has dabbled in quite a few TV movies like Hornet's Nest (2012), The Confession (2013), and Runaway (2014). She also returned to the realm of dramatic series with roles on Under the Dome and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders .

In 2006, Stringfield divorced businessman Paul Goldstein after seven years of marriage. Together, they share two children.

Noah Wyle (John Carter)

Noah Wyle joined the ER cast as third-year medical student John Carter. But even before his 11-season run (with appearances in seasons 12 and 15), he knew the medical drama would be an instant hit .

"They had George [Clooney], Sherry [Stringfield], Tony [Anthony Edwards], Eriq [La Salle], and I...and we're in the wings of [New York City's] Avery Fisher Hall. And then [they] just started showing these clips from the pilot," Wyle told the Still Here Hollywood podcast in June 2024. "Then the place went crazy, like clapping, cheering, stomping, we all got this rush. And I just remember Tony turned all of us into going, 'Here we go.'"

After his ER gig, Wyle returned to prime-time TV with parts on Falling Skies , The Librarians , and in The Red Line . He also stars as New Orleans lawyer Harry Wilson on Leverage: Redemption , in addition to directing multiple episodes. The actor is slated to get back in scrubs on another medical drama, The Pitt , which premieres in 2025 on Max.

Wyle has been married to actress Sara Wells since 2014, and together they have a daughter named Frances. He also shares two children — son Owen and daughter Auden — with his ex-wife, make-up artist Tracy Warbin.

Eriq La Salle (Peter Benton)

Eriq La Salle 's Peter Benton started as a second-year resident and rose to attending physician by the time he departed in season 8 (though he returned for two more episodes in season 15.) While his character had a reputation for being less than polite, La Salle recalls his off-screen camaraderie with the cast.

“Everyone was just really cool,” he told PEOPLE in March 2024. "We bonded immediately.”

Post- ER , La Salle reunited with his former costar Sherry Stringfield on Under the Dome in 2015 and Gloria Reuben in the 2022 TV movie A Second Chance at Love . He also took part on the short-lived CBS series A Gifted Man and in the X-Men movie Logan (2017) , on top of directing episodes of shows such as The Night Shift , Chicago P.D . , Law & Order , and First Kill . He's also made a name for himself as a thriller author, penning the critically acclaimed Martyr Maker novel series.

William H. Macy (David Morgenstern)

For 31 episodes of ER , William H. Macy plays County General's chief of surgery, David Morgenstern. But his time working with ER executive producer John Wells is what stands out in his memory.

"John has a wonderful intolerance for bulls--- behavior," he told EW in December 2020. "He enforces that in such a lovely and genuine way. He never loses his temper — he's like a Buddha.... From the second they get out of their car, the actors are ready."

Post- ER , Macy kept busy with lesser-known films (2009's The Maiden Heist and 2010's Dirty Girl ) before landing a major role on the Showtime hit Shameless , which earned him six Emmy nominations and three Screen Actors Guild Awards , from 2011 to 2021. Over the years, Macy has accrued a handful of other onscreen credits, including Cake (2014) Room (2015), The Dropout , Maybe I Do (2023), The Conners , Ricky Stanicky (2023), and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024).

Since 1997, Macy has been married to actress Felicity Huffman , with whom he shares two daughters, Sophia and Georgia.

Ming-Na Wen (Jing-Mei "Deb" Chen)

Coming off the heels of her starring role in The Joy Luck Club (1993), Ming-Na Wen guest-starred in season 1 of ER as Jing-Mei Chen. She later became a regular from seasons 6–11, and is grateful for her time on the medical drama.

"I got to work with George Clooney, come on, and Noah Wyle, Julianna Margulies, and just such amazing talents. Anthony Edwards. The list goes on and on," Wen told Yahoo! Entertainment in June 2023. "Great directors, great writers. I had no idea about coming into Hollywood and doing a TV show."

Since her time on ER , Wen spent the better part of a decade exploring a niche in family-friendly entertainment. Her voice has been featured in numerous animated productions, such as Mulan (1998), Phineas and Ferb , Adventure Time , and LEGO Marvel's Avengers . She also nabbed parts on Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. , Disney Channel 's Milo Murphy's Law , Disney+ 's The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett , and Max 's Velma and Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai .

Wen has two children with her husband, Eric Michael Zee. Her first pregnancy was even incorporated into the storyline of ER 's first season.

Sam Anderson (Jack Kayson)

After gaining more prominence as Mr. Gorpley on Perfect Strangers , Principal DeWitt on Growing Pains , and Principal in Forrest Gump (1994), Sam Anderson had a 20-episode gig on ER as Jack Kayson, County General Hospital's chief of cardiology.

Anderson has made frequent appearances across the small screen since his ER days, including on Lost and Justified . He notably appeared in season 2 of This Is Us as Judge Walter Crowder, the man who gave Randall's biological father a second chance after a drug arrest. Anderson's film credits include Water for Elephants (2011), Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016), and Where the Crawdads Sing (2022).

In 1985, the veteran actor married teacher Barbara Anderson, with whom he shares twins.

CCH Pounder (Angela Hicks)

CCH Pounder 's time on ER as Angela Hicks was short but memorable, earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Since departing the show in 1997, Pounder has worked steadily on the small screen and played extended roles on The Shield , Sons of Anarchy , and NCIS: New Orleans . She also portrayed the Na'vi spiritual leader Mo'at in James Cameron 's blockbuster Avatar (2009), and reprises her role in the sequels.

Pounder has three children with her late husband, Boubacar Kone, who died at age 73 in 2016.

Beam: 6.5' Draft: 5'

Beam: 6.5' Draft: 4.95'

Beam: 7' Draft: 5'

Beam: 6.6' Draft: 1.5'