2005 Wooden Lightning Get Together
Liverpool New York
Onondaga Yacht Club
July 23 - 24 2005

By: Bob Astrove

What is it like to sail in a fleet of wooden Lightning Class sailboats?  Each July for the past three years we have flashed back to yesteryear at the “Wooden Lightning Get Together” hosted by the Onondaga Yacht Club.  There is perhaps no one-design sailboat boat that more people have sailed, or cut their teeth in racing upon than the 19 ft. Lightning, designed in 1935 by Sparkman & Stevens and launched in October 1938.  Like most other sailboats, in the mid 1960’s fiberglass took over as the material used by professional builders, but over 9000 Lightnings have been built of wood.  And yes, new ones continue to be home built as we saw at this year’s event.

Today the lightning class is active all over the globe.  North America still hosts the majority of activity with over 100 active fleets.  The class is also very active in South America, and Europe.  In addition, there is a very active fleet in Lagos Nigeria, including several locally built woodys, and I’ve heard of activity in Thailand as well.

The Lighting is a 19 foot centerboard sloop with 175 square feet of Mainsail and Jib.  Another 300 square feet is added downwind when flying the optional Spinnaker.   With an adequate standard weight coupled with tight one-design rules that have facilitated quality construction, there are thousands of old boats are still sailing 40, 50, and 60 years after they were built. Lightning #1 is now in the museum at Mystic Connecticut.  Fisk Hayden, a former runner up in the North American Championships, is currently restoring hull number 2.

David Thompson, of Herndon Virginia has been to the past two ‘get togethers’ while he is slowly restoring hull number 32.   It may not be ready by next summer, but he will certainly be participating in the class’s 70th anniversary to be held, at the birthplace of Lightnings in Skaneateles NY, in 2008.   At the 60th anniversary regatta in 1998 there were 200 + lightning including a separate “Classic” division.  Famous former Lightning sailors range from former America’s Cup champion Ted Turner to one of the original stars of television Arthur Godfrey  (the bow of whose former boat
is now the fleet championship trophy of the Potomac River fleet).

What a treat to line up a group of old Lightnings.  Of course on the outside they all look the same, but the differences in construction and restoration are so interesting and reflective of the different era’s in which they were built.  Also differences in the boats reflect the different purposes their owners seek to fulfill.  Several of the boats are rigged for easy day sails while others, such as my own, are still actively raced in clubs and districts throughout the country, and feature modern rigging and new sails.

                                                  
 
Seven boats actually sailed in the two-day event this year.  In addition a half dozen or more owners of boats in the restoration process also attended, collecting ideas for their boats and jumping at the opportunity to drive one of the best sailing large dinghies ever designed.  We already have 12 commitments for next years event, and are hoping to see 15 to 20 boats make the trip to the Onondaga Yacht Club, which is one of the older Yacht Clubs in the U.S., originally chartered in 1886.

The museum piece of the fleet belongs to Martin & Andrea Osterode of Beverly Massachusetts.  Several years ago they found their Italian built boat rotting in a barn in Switzerland.  Having nothing better to do, they restored her.  When Martin’s company transferred him to the US, the deal was contingent upon shipping the boat.   The actual age of the boat is unknown, as it was not officially registered with the class until two years ago The natural finish of sides and deck are breathtaking, making the boat look like a fine piece of Italian living room furniture.  The boat also has some
unique features such as removable seats, a rounded back end of the cockpit, and an aluminum pop up rudder.

Craig Thayer, from Syracuse, and our regatta host, sails an original Skaneateles built lightning # 736.  Evidence of the care Craig has given this boat in the 40 years his family has owned her, “Huntress” finished in second place in the 3 races held as part of this years event.  Next year Doug Dixon of Gloucester Point, Virginia will have the restoration of hull number 584 complete, and is likely to be the grand-dame of the fleet.

Byrne and Karen O’Brien from Ithaca New York are also regulars at the “Get Together” pulling their Cayuga built Lighting # 10113 out for a few special events each year.  While they also actively race a new fiberglass Lightning,
they have impeccably maintained their woody in solid modern racing condition.

Mark Popiel brought the whole family and Lighting # 4773 from Ottawa.  Mark has done some very thoughtful cruising modifications to his boat, like shortening the tiller and hinging his mast above the partners.  And when the wind quit on Sunday, he looked to be the smartest of all with his 1950’s 3-hp. Johnson.

My own boat, built in 1960 by Nickels & Holman of Fenton Michigan is solid as a rock.  I purchased it four years ago for $100 owed on a winter storage fee.  It was part of my secret plan to make sure my teenage son learned not only to race sailboats, but to appreciate the sport at all levels.  Four years later I’m pleased to report the plan has been an outstanding success.    While we have invested in a new trailer, mast, and sails, I have only sanded, painted, replaced lines and added a few go-fast racing items.  No broken ribs, no rot, just a well built boat.  Perhaps a reason why “Nickels” is still in business today, in the very same facility, still building Lightnings and other sail boats.

John Pattison traveled across the country from Tucson Arizona to attend.  John has been making trips to the East Coast buying up old Lightnings and Blue Jays, trying to jump start one design sailing activity in the southwest.  John sailed a boat he had purchased sight unseen.  He swelled the boat for a few days, and we all helped rig it with odds and ends.  Much to my surprise, it all worked, and John sailed the entire weekend without any breakdowns.   John’s plans are to enlist some friends, restore the boats he has bought, and resell them in Arizona.  If any reader knows of some low cost old Lightnings or Blue Jays available, please let John know; Pattison@physics.arizona.edu..

The newest wooden Lightning of the woody fleet belongs to Carl Simmons of Indianapolis.  Carl, an ongoing student of the Wooden Boat School programs, was motivated by the ‘2000’ Wooden Boat Magazine feature on the building of
a Lightning, and started from scratch.  He did a fabulous job spending 2 years on the part time backyard project.

The racing part of the ‘get together’ was held Saturday afternoon in perfect conditions for a classic Lightning race, 8 to 12 mph breeze, on a crystal clear day.  Enough wind to put skipper and crew on the rail, but not enough to make them work hard. Three races, spinnakers flying, made for a great afternoon.  First place went to Bob Astrove in boat # 7603 (1960), Second Place Craig Thayer in # 763 (1941), and third Byrne O’Brien in 10113 (1967)

If you own an old Lightning, please come join us next year.  If you don’t own one yet we can help you resolve that problem.