The Lehman Interclub, often known as the Lehman 10, is a foundational American sailboat renowned for its role as a one-design racer and day-sailing dinghy. Designed by Barney Lehman, this compact monohull measures just over 10 feet in length overall with a simple cat rig. Its significance in sailing history is partly due to its early adoption of fiberglass construction, making it one of the pioneering production fiberglass boats in the United States. The boat was initially conceived by Barney Lehman, with production later taken over by the esteemed West Coast builder, W.D. Schock.
Lehman Interclub Information, Review, Specs
- Make
- Model
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 1948 - ??
The story of the Lehman Interclub traces back to February 1948, when it was first mentioned as a "plastic" dinghy in Motor Boating Magazine. While Barney Lehman is believed to have designed and built some of these boats prior to establishing his company, PlastiGlass, in 1950, the Interclub's broader production began under W.D. Schock. W.D. Schock acquired PlastiGlass Co. from Lehman and commenced building the Interclub in 1956, a few years before W.D. Schock Corporation was officially founded in 1958. This acquisition marked a pivotal moment, as W.D. Schock became a leader in quality fiberglass yacht manufacturing, establishing a reputation for crafting accessible yet competitive sailing vessels on the U.S. West Coast. The Lehman Interclub, as one of W.D. Schock's earliest production boats, embodied the builder's commitment to robust fiberglass construction and forward-thinking design. The design philosophy behind the Interclub focused on creating a straightforward and responsive one-design racer.
Sailing Performance and Handling
The Lehman Interclub, with its 10.25-foot length overall, 105-pound displacement, and 67 square feet of sail area, is a classic example of a light and responsive sailing dinghy. Its cat rig, featuring a single mainsail, contributes to its simplicity and ease of handling, making it an excellent platform for learning to sail or for spirited one-design racing. Equipped with a daggerboard and a minimal draft of 0.33 feet (when the board is up), the Interclub offers excellent shallow-water access and a lively performance characteristic of small, nimble boats. When the daggerboard is fully deployed, the draft extends to 3.0 feet, providing improved upwind performance and stability. While specific anecdotal reviews for the Interclub (Lehman 10) are scarce, similar dinghies like the Lehman 12 are noted for being "very responsive to weight, trim" and for their "simple, uncomplicated design". These qualities likely translate to the Interclub, making it a boat that reacts quickly to sailor input and provides an engaging experience for its size.
Accommodations and Layout
As a 10-foot sailing dinghy designed primarily for day-sailing and one-design racing, the Lehman Interclub features an open cockpit layout, typical of boats in its class. There are no enclosed accommodations or interior headroom to speak of. The design prioritizes functionality and space for the crew, with a focus on ease of movement during sailing maneuvers. The simplicity of its deck and cockpit allows for clear lines and an uncluttered environment, suitable for the active nature of dinghy sailing. The absence of complex systems or extensive interior fit-out contributes to its light displacement and straightforward maintenance.
Measurements
Construction & Hull
- Construction Material
- Fiberglass (Solid)
- Hull Type
- Monohull Sailboat
- Keel Type
- Daggerboard
- Rudder
- 1x —
- Ballast
- -
- Displacement
- 105 lbs
- Water Capacity
- -
- Fuel Capacity
- -
Engine
- Engine Make
- —
- Engine Model
- —
- Engine Type
- —
- Engine HP
- —
- Engine Count
- 1
- Drive Type
- —
- Fuel Type
- —
Rig & Sails
- Rig Type
- Cat Rig
- P (Main Luff)
- -
- E (Main Foot)
- -
- I (Foretriangle Height)
- -
- J (Foretriangle Base)
- -
- Forestay Length (est)
- -
- Main Sail Area
- -
- Foretriangle Sail Area
- -
- Total Sail Area (Reported)
- 67 sqft
- Total Sail Area (Calc)
- -
Dimensions
- LOA
- 10.25 ft
- LWL
- -
- Beam
- 4.42 ft
- Draft
- 3 ft
- Max Headroom
- -
- Air Draft
- -
Calculations
- Hull Speed
- — kn
- Pounds per Inch Immersion
- —