Flying Racer Information, Review, Specs

The Flying Racer entered production in 1970, building upon SUDPLAST's established reputation for accessible and well-built sailboats. Heribert Streuer, known for his designs across the "Flying" series, is attributed as the designer of the Flying Racer. The builder, SUDPLAST (and its successor BWC Illmensee GmbH), emphasized a design philosophy rooted in reliability, ease of management, and family-oriented sailing. Their vessels typically feature a robust GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) two-shell construction with foamed cavities for buoyancy and structural integrity.

A notable design variation for the Flying Racer is its keel configuration. While the primary model is equipped with a centerboard, offering a variable draft from 2.46 feet to 4.43 feet, a Finn keel version was also available, presenting a fixed draft of 4.4 feet. This choice in keel type indicates the builder's intention to cater to different sailing preferences, allowing for both shallow water access with the centerboard and potentially enhanced upwind performance or stability with the fixed keel.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Flying Racer's design specifications provide insight into its likely sailing characteristics. With a reported sail area of 297 square feet and a displacement of 3,638 pounds, its sail area to displacement ratio (SA/D) calculates to approximately 20.11. This relatively high number suggests that the Flying Racer should perform capably in lighter air conditions, being able to generate sufficient power to move effectively.

The ballast to displacement ratio (Ballast/Disp) stands at approximately 0.394 (39.4%), indicating a decent level of stability. This, combined with its hull material of solid fiberglass, suggests a boat that can stand up to a reasonable breeze, offering a secure feel on the water. However, the displacement to length ratio (D/L) is quite high, around 431.69 for its 20.34-foot waterline length. This places the Flying Racer firmly in the heavy displacement category for its size, implying a solid, seaworthy motion but not the nimble, ultra-responsive feel of a dedicated modern racer. Its hull speed is calculated at 6.04 knots. These ratios collectively paint a picture of a sailboat that, despite its "Racer" moniker, likely prioritizes stability and a robust feel over sheer speed, making it a potentially comfortable, if not lightning-fast, performer. The centerboard configuration offers flexibility, allowing for reduced draft in shallow waters, while the deeper draft of the alternative Finn keel would provide more lateral resistance for upwind sailing.

Accommodations and Layout

Information regarding the specific interior layout of the Flying Racer is not readily available through detailed published reviews or diagrams. However, given its length of 25.26 feet and the general design philosophy of SUDPLAST/BWC Illmensee for their "Flying" series, it can be inferred that the Flying Racer would feature a practical, albeit compact, interior. The builder's focus on "roomy cabins that provide full seat height" in other Flying Cruiser models suggests that similar attention to maximizing usable space and comfort within its size constraints would likely have been applied to the Flying Racer. Interior accommodations would typically include a basic V-berth forward, a compact salon area with settees that may double as berths, and potentially a small galley area and a marine head, consistent with coastal cruisers of its era. The finish quality would likely reflect the robust, no-nonsense construction characteristic of the builder.