D-One Information, Review, Specs

The Devoti D-One was designed in 2008 by Phil Morrison in collaboration with Devoti Sailing, and its production began in 2011. As part of Devoti Sailing's "own line of one-design boats," the D-One embodies the builder's philosophy of "from sailors, for sailors," focusing on extreme perfection and an unwavering pursuit of quality. Luca Devoti, an Olympic medalist and founder of Devoti Sailing, leveraged his extensive sailing background to ensure the boat was optimized for performance and responsiveness. The D-One was developed to be a one-design racing dinghy where the true test is the sailor's skill, aligning with Devoti's ethos of producing high-quality, race-winning sailboats. The hull is constructed from carbon fiber and foam using CNC molds, resulting in a stiff, light hull, while the carbon mast, boom, and bowsprit ensure consistent quality.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Devoti D-One is engineered for speed, control, and enjoyment, providing a thrilling single-handed sailing experience. With a length overall of 13.88 feet, a generous beam of 7.58 feet (including wings), and a light displacement of just 165 pounds, it is a highly responsive and maneuverable vessel. The cat rig features a substantial reported sail area of 124 square feet for the main, complemented by a gennaker with an area of 13.2 square meters (131 square feet) for powerful downwind performance.

Sailors find the D-One easy to handle in light winds, yet it becomes powerful with increasing breeze. Its responsive hull and high-quality carbon rig contribute to its speed and control, making it an exhilarating and rewarding single-hander. In very light winds, experts suggest soaking low to maintain speed, while in marginal planing conditions, careful attention to sail trim is crucial. The boat offers close tactical racing upwind and impressive gennaker-powered downwind speed. The D-One's design allows it to excel as a hiking boat upwind, blending this ability with excellent downwind performance. Owners have reported achieving speeds of nearly 13 knots in moderate winds with the gennaker deployed, highlighting its quickness.

Accommodations and Layout

As a high-performance single-handed racing dinghy, the Devoti D-One prioritizes on-water functionality over interior accommodations. The design focuses on a cockpit layout optimized for active racing. The area available to the helm is described as not huge, partly due to a full-width traveler located just in front of the wings. The deck is typically white as standard, with the hull available in various colors. The boat is equipped with a daggerboard keel and a single rudder, which are characteristic of its responsive racing nature. The robust construction, utilizing fiberglass for both the hull and deck, is designed to withstand the rigors of competitive sailing. Items on deck typically function as storage for essential gear like food, drink, clothing, or safety equipment.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners and sailors frequently praise the D-One for its engaging and rewarding sailing experience. Many commend its solid construction and the quality of its carbon components, including the mast, boom, and bowsprit, noting their durability in active racing. The boat is seen as an accessible and exciting venture for a hiking single-hander, capable of delivering both pure excitement and competitive results. Its ability to blend strong upwind performance with exhilarating gennaker-powered downwind speed is a consistent highlight. The D-One has been recognized for its world-class racing spirit and is often compared favorably to other performance dinghies, with some noting similarities in rig control to the Finn, another class Devoti is renowned for. The D-One has garnered international success and has been tested extensively by top sailors to ensure its winning capabilities.