Sportina 680 (Delphia) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The journey of the Sportina 680 began in 1994, marking an important period for Delphia Yachts (then known as Sportlake) as they established themselves as a prominent builder of small sailing vessels. The design, penned by Andrzej Skrzat, aimed to create a sailboat that was both approachable for new sailors and engaging enough for more performance-oriented individuals. Delphia Yachts, founded by brothers Piotr and Wojciech Kot, leveraged Poland's long-standing boat-building heritage to produce robust and well-regarded boats during this era. The Sportina 680 was a key model in their early success, with several thousand units produced, cementing its reputation as a successful trailer sailer. While the Sportina 680 was also sold under the "Clever 23" moniker, indicating a slight variation or re-branding, the core design and characteristics remained consistent across these iterations.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Sportina 680 is lauded for its straightforward and forgiving sailing characteristics, making it suitable for a wide range of sailors. Its fractional sloop rig contributes to an easy-to-manage sail plan, providing responsive handling without being overly demanding. The boat's relatively light displacement, combined with its efficient hull shape, allows for sprightly performance in various conditions. A defining attribute is its lifting keel, which significantly reduces the boat's draft from 4.59 feet (1.40 meters) to just 0.92 feet (0.28 meters). This feature vastly expands its cruising grounds, enabling access to shallow anchorages and facilitating easy launching and retrieval for trailering. This design choice also implies a versatile performance profile, offering the stability of a deeper keel when deployed and the shallow-water access of a dinghy when retracted. The boat is often described as a "fast lifting-keel sailing boat," reflecting its ability to cover ground efficiently while maintaining ease of control.

Accommodations and Layout

Despite its compact size, the Sportina 680 offers a functional interior designed to accommodate a small crew for overnight stays and extended weekends. The cabin features a reported maximum headroom of 4.75 feet (1.45 meters), which, while modest, is typical for a boat of this length and often allows comfortable seating and movement for those seated or crouching. The interior is typically arranged with a forward cabin area that converts into a saloon, providing sleeping space for up to four or five individuals. Owners commonly report a practical layout that maximizes the available volume. The deck construction, utilizing a sandwich composite, contributes to improved insulation, helping to maintain a more comfortable indoor climate, especially in varying temperatures. While specific details on galley or head arrangements are sparse in general descriptions, such compact cruisers usually feature basic facilities suitable for short-term cruising, often relying on portable solutions.