FLYING FIFTEEN
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 20 ft |
| LWL | 15 ft |
| Beam | 7 ft |
| Draft | 2.5 ft |
| Displacement | 725 lb |
| Ballast | 372 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 5.2 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 15 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 5.5 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 20.5 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 9.8 ft |
| FLforestay | 5.5 ft |
| Mainsail | 149.7 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 41.3 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 70.1 sq ft |
About the FLYING FIFTEEN
From the Flying Fifteen International Class site... The Flying Fifteen has been modernized over the years with Uffa Fox agreeing to changes towards the end of his life to improve the design specification and sail plan. Original hull tolerances were +/- 25mm (one inch) either side of the median plan lines. In 1984 Flying Fifteen International reduced the hull tolerances to +/- 15mm and introduced measurement templates. In 1993 a further reduction to +/- 7mm was instituted with additional adjustments to the median plan lines equal to the current design. Older boats known as Classics, generally those with sail numbers below 2700, are grandfathered in and race legal. Fleets exist in Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa as well as the British Isles.
Designed by Uffa Fox and built by various manufacturers starting in 1948, the Flying Fifteen is a historic 20.0 ft fractional sloop with a production run of 4000 hulls. Its lightweight 725.0 lb displacement and 28.2 SA/D ratio define it as a high-performance daysailer rather than a cruising vessel.
- Best for:
- This boat is ideal for active daysailing, club racing, and trailerable weekend use, appealing to sailors who prioritize speed and ease of transport over accommodation.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low 3.12 capsize ratio and minimal 372.0 lb ballast, this boat is strictly a coastal daysailer and is not suitable for offshore or bluewater passage making.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other classic trailerable daysailers like the Laser or Sunfish, though the Flying Fifteen offers a larger 7.0 ft beam and fractional sloop rig for better upwind performance.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(2 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.1 | 4.9 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.7 |
| 60° | 4.4 | 5.2 | 5.5 | 5.8 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 6.2 |
| 75° | 4.6 | 5.3 | 5.7 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 7.0 |
| 90° | 4.7 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.4 | 6.7 | 7.3 | 8.3 |
| 110° | 4.6 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.7 | 7.5 | 8.4 | 9.8 |
| 120° | 4.5 | 5.3 | 5.9 | 6.5 | 7.3 | 8.6 | 10.9 |
| 135° | 3.9 | 4.8 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 6.7 | 7.4 | 10.4 |
| 150° | 3.3 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 5.6 | 6.1 | 6.7 | 8.5 |
| Beat VMG | 2.7 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.7 |
| Run VMG | 2.8 | 3.7 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 7.4 |
Images
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the FLYING FIFTEEN 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 20ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the FLYING FIFTEENyet 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 FIFTEEN? 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 FIFTEEN?
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Used sails that fit the FLYING FIFTEEN
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…