The Windmill is a highly regarded American sailing dinghy, primarily known as a lively and challenging one-design racer that has captivated sailing enthusiasts since its inception. Designed by the prolific Clark Mills in 1953, the Windmill was conceived as a high-performance, two-person boat intended to offer an exciting sailing experience. While originally designed for home builders utilizing four sheets of plywood, its popularity led to commercial production by various entities, including Johannsen Boat Works, Lockley Newport Boats, and Advance Sailboat Corp..
History and Design
The story of the Windmill began in 1953 with naval architect Clark Mills, a designer renowned for creating accessible and engaging small craft, most notably the Optimist Pram. Mills reportedly envisioned the Windmill as a more challenging and exciting boat for teenagers transitioning from the Optimist design. The Windmill was initially offered as a design that could be built by amateurs from readily available materials like plywood, contributing to its widespread adoption and the establishment of a robust one-design class. Over its long production history, which officially began in 1953 and continues through an active class association, the design has remained remarkably consistent, without significant variations like "MkI" or "MkII" common in larger production yachts. The durable nature of its fiberglass and wood composite hull, combined with its simple fractional sloop rig, has ensured its enduring appeal and longevity in the sailing community.
Sailing Performance and Handling
The Windmill is celebrated as a high-performance dinghy, renowned for its spirited sailing characteristics and ability to plane. With a length overall of 15.5 feet and a waterline length of 14.5 feet, coupled with a lightweight displacement of just 198 pounds, it is designed for speed and agility. Its reported sail area of 119 square feet provides ample power for its light hull, allowing it to accelerate quickly and achieve its theoretical hull speed of approximately 5.1 knots with ease.
The boat features a daggerboard keel, enabling a minimum draft of 0.5 feet for easy launching and retrieval, which can be extended to 4.17 feet for optimal upwind performance and stability. Its fractional sloop rig, comprising a jib and main only, is straightforward yet highly effective for a performance dinghy [4,. Anecdotal accounts from owners highlight its balanced helm and responsive nature, making it a rewarding boat for skilled dinghy sailors. It offers an engaging experience across various wind conditions, with its lightweight design favoring planing in moderate to strong breezes.
Accommodations and Layout
As a dedicated racing and day-sailing dinghy, the Windmill features a minimalist layout focused entirely on performance and cockpit utility. Given its compact dimensions of 15.5 feet in length and a beam of 4.75 feet, there are no interior accommodations or standing headroom. The design prioritizes an open cockpit for efficient crew movement and sail handling. The simple design, often relying on home-built or fiberglass and wood composite construction, ensures durability and ease of maintenance, with all essential controls and rigging within easy reach for competitive racing or recreational day sails.
Owner's Perspectives
Owners and enthusiasts consistently praise the Windmill for its lively performance and the strong camaraderie within its active class association. Many appreciate its suitability as an excellent first racing boat, offering a challenging yet rewarding platform for developing dinghy sailing skills. The enduring popularity of the Windmill, with boats from the 1950s still actively raced and enjoyed today, speaks volumes about its robust design and construction, as well as the loyalty of its owners. The class continues to hold regattas and maintain a vibrant community, underscoring the enduring appeal of Clark Mills' original vision.