Alto Dinghy Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Alto Dinghy entered the sailing scene in 2009, the product of designer Mike Arnold's vision and Rondar Raceboats' manufacturing prowess. Arnold's design philosophy for the Alto centered on creating a fast, engaging, and controllable dinghy that performs well in various wind strengths. Crucially, the design aimed for a successful, swift, non-skiff dinghy without wings, a niche in the market. It was conceived to be manageable enough to "fit into the average dinghy park" and was not intended as an overly "extreme machine." The concept involves a modern rig paired with a hull shape that draws comparisons to the iconic 505 dinghy.

Rondar Raceboats, based in the UK, brought their renowned expertise in building high-performance one-design sailing craft to the Alto's construction. Known for precision and a deep commitment to the racing community, Rondar utilizes advanced composite construction techniques, including fiberglass for both hull and deck, ensuring a robust and competitive vessel. This aligns with their long-standing ethos of producing finely tuned machines designed to excel in championships. While the Alto has maintained its core design, there has been discussion around potential variations, such as exploring a zipped luff version, and early production models featured a more substantial pole on show boats.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Alto Dinghy, with its two-person, single-trapeze setup and asymmetric spinnaker, is engineered for dynamic sailing. Sailors describe it as both exciting and challenging, yet notably controllable. Its design ensures strong performance across the entire wind range, making it a versatile racer. Anecdotal evidence suggests the Alto exhibits good stability, even in conditions where other boats might struggle, with one account noting the boat "still felt stable" while others were capsizing downwind.

The Alto offers a comfortable sailing experience, with a design that allows the crew to easily move out onto and back from the trapeze wire. Compared to other dinghies like an L4k, the Alto is considered "much easier, much more comfortable, hardly slower." While positioned as a fast racing dinghy, it doesn't necessarily compete directly with boats like the RS400 if a dedicated trapeze boat is the sole criterion, but it offers a "nice boat to race." Discussions among sailors often highlight its competitive PY rating and its ability to achieve strong results against established classes.

Accommodations and Layout

As a high-performance racing dinghy, the Rondar Alto is designed for on-water function rather than extensive interior accommodations. The layout focuses on a clear, efficient cockpit optimized for two crew members, one on trapeze. While specific interior details are not applicable in the traditional sense, Rondar's general design philosophy for their raceboats emphasizes "comfortable cockpit designs with no protruding hardware and no sharp edges," aiming for enhanced crew ergonomics and safety during demanding racing conditions. This attention to functional, user-friendly design extends to the Alto, providing an uncluttered and practical space for competitive sailing. The solid fiberglass construction of both the hull and deck ensures a robust and durable platform.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Alto Dinghy generally express positive sentiments about the boat, appreciating its enjoyable and engaging sailing characteristics. The design appeals to those seeking a boat that can be comfortably sailed with a partner, indicating its accessibility beyond purely competitive racing. While forums mention some "minor niggles," these are often described as issues that owners can easily address themselves, suggesting no widespread or critical design flaws. Overall, the collective owner viewpoint points to a boat that delivers on its promise of being a fun, challenging, and controllable performance dinghy.