The Lightning is a 19-foot, trailerable, sloop rigged, one-design racing boat with a main, jib and spinnaker. Designed in 1938 by Olin Stephens, originally with a wood mast and plank hull, the class attitude of conservative innovation, allowed the transition to foam-core fiberglass construction with aluminum spars, making the boat faster, safer and more maintenance free, with sophisticated sail shape controls. The unique hard chine hull design combines stability that provides sail-carrying power, with flat bottom sections that promote planning. (www.lightningclass.org).
Lightning Fleet 70 was chartered in 1945. Several MBC sailors have qualified for North American Championships over the years. The Fleet hosts the popular Long John Regatta, contested over 60 times, to start the season each year. This regatta attracts top Lightning skippers from up and down the East Coast. Fleet 70 has also hosted the Metropolitan District Championship numerous times and will host the Lightning Atlantic Coast Championship in Raritan Bay off Atlantic Highland in June 2025.
Fleet Members:
Dale Barney
Cole Barney
Pat Corr
Ted Duffy
George Harrington
Bill Jaeger
Taylor Niles
Mike Nitka
Dave Watts
