What distinguished the Designers Choice from contemporary rivals was its balance of sophisticated hull geometry and an ultra-functional, open-cockpit layout. At nearly fifteen feet in length with a generous six-foot beam, the boat was noticeably wider and more stable than the narrower dinghies of its class, yet its construction remained remarkably lightweight. The hull featured single-skin fiberglass construction, built to withstand the rigors of sailing school docks while maintaining a clean, easily driven form. Inside, the lack of a closed foredeck created an expansive, open interior that maximized working space for students and instructors alike, while a small aft deck and integrated locker provided dry stowage for gear.
Variations & Configurations
Unlike larger pocket cruisers of the era that offered multiple keel profiles, the Howmar Designers Choice was conceived as a highly standardized, one-design platform to keep manufacturing costs low and ensure close racing in class fleets. The design is strictly configured as a centerboard dinghy, utilizing a retractable kick-up polyurethane board 2. This arrangement yields a maximum draft of three feet with the board fully extended, which can be drawn up completely to draw just five inches of water. This shallow-draft profile makes the boat exceptionally versatile, allowing owners to launch from shallow beaches, navigate thin coastal marshes, and slide onto standard single-axle trailers without the need for deep-water ramps.
The rigging is a fractional Bermuda sloop configuration supported by anodized aluminum spars. It features a loose-footed mainsail and a small, easily handled fractional jib. While the standard layout was optimized for maximum crew cockpit space, Howmar eventually developed a sibling design called the Shadow. The Shadow utilized the same basic hull lines but incorporated a modified deck mold that included a deeper cockpit, a longer layout, and molded internal bench seats for families seeking a less active, more comfortable day-sailing experience. For those focused on training and tactical racing, however, the original open-deck layout of the Designers Choice remained the definitive configuration.
Sailing Performance & Handling
With a displacement of just 315 pounds and a waterline length of 12.75 feet, the Designers Choice is a pure planing hull. Its displacement-to-length ratio of 67.85 sits squarely in the ultra-lightweight category, meaning the hull is designed to easily rise out of the water rather than pushing through it. In a moderate breeze, once the wind hits approximately ten to twelve knots, the flat run of the hull sections aft allows the boat to break its bow wave and plane with minimal effort, providing an exhilarating, high-speed ride.
This athletic nature is driven by a massive sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 41.47. This ratio reflects a highly powered sail plan relative to the overall weight, making the boat exceptionally responsive in light air where heavier dinghies would struggle. However, this power comes with a trade-off in stability. The capsize screening ratio of 3.57 and a comfort ratio of 3.28 underscore that this is a lively, active dinghy with no ballast keel. The boat relies entirely on the dynamic placement of the crew's weight for stability. Fortunately, the wide six-foot beam provides excellent initial form stability and serves as a highly effective lever arm when the crew hikes out on the wide, rounded gunwales. Helming the Designers Choice is a tactile experience; the transom-hung kick-up rudder offers immediate, crisp feedback, and the hull’s curved forward sections deflect chop remarkably well, earning it a reputation as a dry boat compared to flatter, low-profile board boats.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Production of the Designers Choice ended in 1983 when Howmar Boats ceased operations, leaving a total of approximately 1,500 hulls produced. Today, the model is a vintage classic that commands a loyal but quiet following on the used market. Because of its age, it trades at a highly accessible value, making it an appealing option for budget-conscious sailors, sailing clubs looking for affordable fleet additions, or families wanting an easy-to-tow day-sailer.
The economics of owning a Designers Choice are highly favorable. Because the boat lacks complex onboard systems, inboard engines, electrical grids, or plumbing, recurring maintenance costs are negligible. Prospective buyers should focus their financial calculations on the condition of the trailer and the sails. While original Dacron sails from the late 1970s or early 1980s are likely blown-out or delaminated, aftermarket lofts continue to manufacture replacement sails specifically for the Designers Choice 15 pattern, meaning a full set of fresh, high-performance sails remains an affordable and straightforward upgrade.
Known Issues & Triage
Decades of service have highlighted a few recurring structural and material weaknesses that buyers should inspect. The primary concern lies in the original polyurethane construction of the foils. Over time, UV exposure and high-stress sailing can cause the polyurethane centerboard and rudder blade to warp, crack, or become highly brittle. Triage for warped or damaged foils generally involves sourcing modern fiberglass replacements or fabricating new blades out of marine-grade plywood encased in epoxy and fiberglass cloth.
Another common point of failure is the double-bottom hull cavity. The Designers Choice features a self-draining cockpit floor bonded to an inner liner, creating a sealed flotation chamber beneath the deck. If deck hardware, the mast step, or the centerboard trunk sealant degrades, rainwater or spray can slowly seep into this chamber. Over years, this water accumulation can waterlog the internal foam flotation, significantly increasing the boat's displacement. A waterlogged hull will feel unusually heavy on its trailer, sit low in the water, and fail to plane. Standard triage requires drilling a small drain hole at the lowest point of the transom to evacuate any trapped water, followed by sealing the leak and installing access inspection ports.
Finally, the mast step on the cockpit floor is subject to high compression loads. Stress cracks in the fiberglass laminate around the mast step are common on hard-sailed club boats. Any structural flexing in this area must be reinforced with hand-laid fiberglass biaxial cloth and epoxy to prevent the mast from punching through the inner hull liner.
Modernization & Upgrades
Veterans of the Designers Choice class frequently modernize these hulls to improve ease of handling and safety. The most impactful upgrade is replacing the original wire-to-rope halyards with modern, low-stretch synthetic lines such as Dyneema. This not only reduces weight aloft but also prevents hand injuries associated with fraying wire splices. Upgrading the mainsheet block to a modern ratcheting block greatly reduces fatigue during long, breezy days on the water.
To address the threat of internal hull leaks, many owners install four-inch or six-inch plastic twist-out deck plates in the cockpit floor and bow buoyancy tanks. These inspection ports allow owners to easily pump out any condensation, facilitate airflow during off-season storage, and provide physical access to the underside of deck hardware to install backing plates. For those who use the boat for relaxed gunkholing or pocket cruising, installing a small, removable outboard bracket on the transom has become a common modification. This allows the mounting of a lightweight electric trolling motor or a two-horsepower auxiliary gas engine, providing peace of mind when the wind dies far from the launch ramp.
The Verdict
The Howmar Designers Choice remains an excellent testament to the brilliance of Sparkman & Stephens' small-boat design division. It is an exceptionally nimble, rewarding, and athletic dinghy that bridges the gap between raw racing machines and stable family day-sailers. While its light weight and powerful sail plan demand an attentive crew in high winds, its generous beam and dry-running bow make it far more forgiving than many of its contemporaries. For sailors seeking a low-cost, easily trailerable boat with true planing potential and classic lines, this design continues to stand out as a highly compelling choice.
- Highly responsive Sparkman & Stephens hull design that planes easily in moderate breezes.
- Wide beam provides excellent form stability and leverage for hiking.
- Open bow configuration maximizes cockpit volume and usable interior space.
- Self-draining cockpit increases safety and simplifies maintenance.
- Retractable centerboard and rudder make it incredibly easy to beach and trailer.
- Complete lack of ballast keel makes the boat highly prone to capsizing if helmed carelessly.
- Original polyurethane centerboards and rudders are prone to warping and UV degradation over time.
- Internal foam flotation chambers can slow-leak and become waterlogged if deck seals fail.
- Open bow design offers no enclosed, lockable dry storage for long-range cruising gear.
