Force 5 Information, Review, Specs

The Force 5 was designed in 1972 by Fred Scott and Jack Evans for AMF Alcort, a prominent sailboat manufacturer. By 1974, it quickly rose to become AMF Alcort's second best-selling boat, with over 12,000 units produced before 1989. Following a period of ownership changes for AMF Alcort, Weeks Yacht Yard, a builder with a century-long tradition of quality craftsmanship, took over the manufacturing of the Force 5 in 1993, ensuring its continued availability and support for the class.

The design philosophy behind the Force 5 aimed to create a high-performance dinghy equipped with comprehensive sail controls, offering sailors a sophisticated and engaging experience. Constructed with a solid fiberglass hull and deck, the Force 5 is often compared to the more widely known Laser dinghy but is distinguished by its hard chine aft. While designed as a strict one-design racing sailboat, the class rules acknowledge that sailors may make certain modifications to personalize their boats, such as specialized rigs like the "Blumhorst Rig" for lightweight sailors in heavy air conditions.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a compact, performance-oriented dinghy, the Force 5 is celebrated for its agile and exciting sailing characteristics. It is described as a "technical design" offering advanced features and full controls that provide a "big boat" feel. Owners frequently praise it as a fun boat to sail and an excellent platform for learning and honing sailing skills, including practicing how to right a capsized boat.

Equipped with a cat rig and a reported sail area of 91.0 square feet, the Force 5 features a mid-ship mainsheet, dual controls, a boom vang, outhaul, and downhaul (cunningham), allowing for precise sail tuning across varying wind conditions. For instance, the outhaul can be tightened for upwind sailing in light air to flatten the sail and optimize flow. However, the Force 5 can be "very easy to flip" for the unwary sailor, which is a common trait of high-performance dinghies. Sailors also note a phenomenon known as the "death roll" when running dead downwind in strong winds, often managed by sailing slightly off-angle to maintain control. Compared to similar dinghies, some enthusiasts consider the Force 5 to offer a superior sailing experience, though it may be less prevalent in certain competitive one-design regattas than its counterparts.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its design as a 13.87-foot racing and day-sailing dinghy, the Force 5 does not feature traditional interior accommodations. Instead, its layout is entirely focused on the open cockpit and deck for active sailing. The boat boasts a "large comfortable cockpit" that is designed for a single helmsman, providing ample space for maneuvering and managing controls.

The deck layout is efficiently arranged to facilitate performance sailing, including the accessible mid-ship mainsheet system and dual controls for rudder and daggerboard. The hull and deck are constructed from solid fiberglass, ensuring durability and a stiff platform for competitive sailing.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Force 5 consistently highlight its strengths as an exciting and fun sailboat. Many appreciate its technical design, advanced features, and comprehensive sail controls, which provide a fulfilling and engaging sailing experience. The boat is also widely regarded as an excellent trainer, helping new sailors develop essential skills, including capsizing recovery. Owners frequently mention the Force 5's cockpit as being slightly larger and more comfortable compared to similar dinghies. Furthermore, the rigging of the Force 5 is often praised for effectively addressing issues found in other dinghy designs.

However, common challenges noted by owners include the boat's tendency to flip easily, a characteristic inherent to many performance dinghies. The "death roll" phenomenon when running downwind in strong winds is another frequently discussed aspect, requiring sailors to adjust their downwind sailing technique. Some new owners also find docking a Force 5 to be a particular challenge. Despite these points, the Force 5 benefits from an active and supportive owner community, with Weeks Yacht Yard playing a crucial role in providing ongoing manufacturing and parts, fostering camaraderie and loyalty among enthusiasts.