Lightning Fleet
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Lightning Fleet Captain’s Report
From wood to fiberglass and from wood to aluminum. The original Lightning hull and spars were constructed of wood while the modern Lightning is fiberglass and aluminum like most one design racing and cruising boats of today.
I wasn’t involved in the discussions at the time of this transition, but I can imagine there were plenty of dissenting opinions and heated exchanges revolving around this decision to start building fiberglass lightnings from many in the class at that time. The E Scows have just come through such a transition with plenty of opinions from both sides.
While these changes can be difficult; we all know that change is inevitable and my experience tells me that once past all the controversy, we are all wondering what the big deal was and why did it take so long.
The Lightning continues to slowly evolve as new technologies, materials, and designs become available. This slow and careful evolution has allowed the Lightning to remain one of the largest and most competitive one design classes in existence.
Not only are we nearing the start of the 2008 season for the Wawasee Yacht Club and Lightning Fleet 154; this year is also the 70th anniversary year for the Lightning Class Sailboat.
Lightning number 1 was launched in the spring of 1938 on Lake Skaneateles, one of the Finger Lakes in up state New York and was built by the Skaneateles Boat Company.
Lightning 1 is now on display at Mystic Seaport in Mystic, CT.
I hope many of you can join me in Skaneateles for the 70th anniversary lightning Regatta over the July 4th weekend this summer.
International Lightning Class Association
70th Anniversary Regatta
Hosted by: Skaneateles Country Club
Lightning Fleet #1
By Authority of the I.L.C.A.
Friday, July 4th – Sunday, July 6th
For all the details visit: www.lightning70th.com/index
See you on the lake,
Brad Wagnon,
Fleet Captain