FLYING ANT
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 10.5 ft |
| Beam | 4.25 ft |
| Displacement | 90 lb |
About the FLYING ANT
Spinnaker: 4.1 sq. mtrs. Intended for the home builder as a Junior/youth sailing dinghy orignally from New Zealand, a modified and lightened version became more popular in Australia.
The Flying Ant is a compact 10.5 ft fractional sloop designed by John Spencer and built by Dinghy Sports (AUS) in 1967. With a displacement of 90.0 lb and a beam of 4.25 ft, this vessel represents a specific era of Australian dinghy design, though the total number of hulls built is unknown.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for single-handed sailors or couples seeking a lightweight, trailerable day-sailer for protected coastal waters. Its small size and fractional rig make it manageable for those with limited storage space or physical strength.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 90.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 3.79, the Flying Ant is not designed for offshore or bluewater cruising and is strictly limited to sheltered coastal waters.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include other 10-12 ft fractional sloop dinghies from the late 1960s, such as the Laser or Sunfish, which share similar roles as entry-level training or recreational day-sailers. These boats are comparable due to their similar displacement ranges and emphasis on ease of handling over offshore capability.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the FLYING ANT yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 10.5ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the FLYING ANTyet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a FLYING ANT? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your FLYING ANT?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the FLYING ANT
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…