Sportlake 660 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design Brief & Intent

The primary mission of the Sportlake 660 was to deliver maximum interior accommodation and cruising versatility within a hull footprint of exactly 6.6 meters. Centkowski prioritized a high-volume hull with a generous beam of 8.33 feet, which was carried well aft to maximize cockpit space and stability. Compared to French and German competitors of the late 1990s, the Sportlake 660 distinguished itself by offering a fully enclosed heads compartment and a dedicated galley—luxuries almost unheard of in the 22-foot class.

The interior design relies on a comprehensive structural inner liner, or counter-mold, which provides immense rigidity to the hull while creating clean, easily maintained surfaces. Below deck, the layout is highly ergonomic, offering a surprisingly spacious V-berth forward, a central salon with opposing settees, and an aft berth tucked under the cockpit sole. The joinery features practical, lightweight wood finishes that lend a warm, traditional feel to the cabin without compromising the boat's trailering weight. While headroom is naturally restricted to around 5.7 feet depending on the specific trim, the abundance of ports and a large companionway hatch prevent the cabin from feeling claustrophobic.

Variations & Configurations

A source of occasional confusion on the brokerage market is the variety of designations assigned to this hull. Depending on the importer and regional market, the Sportlake 660 was sold as the Armor 660 in France (distributed by regional dealers), the Europa TS 240 in the United Kingdom, and was later evolved into the early Delphia 22. While the fiberglass hull and deck molds remained identical across these iterations, regional variations occurred in the rig height and the interior execution.

The vessel was built almost exclusively as a fractional sloop utilizing a rotating or fixed mast, paired with a swinging centerboard. The lifting keel configuration was engineered specifically for shallow-water exploration, allowing the draft to reduce to a mere 1.5 feet with the board fully raised, and extending to 4.92 feet when fully lowered. This makes the boat exceptionally well-suited for beaching, negotiating tidal estuaries, or launching from a standard boat ramp.

Sailing Performance & Handling

The engineering dynamics of the Sportlake 660 reflect its inland heritage, prioritizing responsiveness and light-air agility over heavy-weather ocean tracking. With a displacement of 3,263 pounds and a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 28.38 percent, the boat carries 926 pounds of ballast concentrated primarily in the iron centerboard and the lower bilge area. Its sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 16.44 indicates a balanced sail plan that provides respectable acceleration in light to moderate breezes without demanding constant sail trimming.

Under sail, the boat behaves much like a large dinghy, offering immediate feedback through its transom-mounted outboard rudder. Helm pressure is light and positive, but because of its modest displacement-to-length ratio of 190.82 and a capsize screening ratio of 2.25, the hull is relatively tender. The boat will heel quickly to its sailing lines in a gust before settling onto its hard turns, meaning crews must be prepared to reef the mainsail early—typically when true winds exceed 12 to 14 knots. Its comfort ratio of 14.76 confirms that the boat will feel lively in choppy coastal waters, making it far better suited for inland lakes, protected bays, and coastal day-cruising than open ocean passages.

Known Issues & Triage

While the structural fiberglass work of Sportlake S.A. has held up remarkably well over the decades, prospective buyers should focus on a few known failure points. The most critical maintenance area is the lifting centerboard mechanism. The swing keel pivots on a heavy stainless steel pin and is raised via a wire rope and winch system. Over time, the pivot pin can suffer from crevice corrosion, and the lifting cable is prone to fraying within the fiberglass trunk. If the cable snaps, the keel can drop violently, risking structural damage to the trunk. Inspection of the cable, pulley block, and pivot pin during haul-out is an essential annual triage routine.

Another common issue lies in the rudder gudgeons and pintles. Because the outboard rudder is subjected to high twisting loads when the boat is heeled, the mounting hardware on the transom can develop play. Owners should check for spider cracks in the gelcoat around the transom brackets, which indicate flexing in the laminate. Additionally, early production models can suffer from minor deck flexing in areas of high foot traffic where the balsa core may have suffered moisture penetration around poorly bedded deck hardware.

Modernization & Upgrades

Many veteran owners have targeted the Sportlake 660 for modernization to enhance its cruising autonomy. A popular and highly practical upgrade is transitioning the auxiliary power. Originally, these boats were powered by a 5 to 10 horsepower outboard motor mounted on a transom bracket. Today, the lightweight hull makes an ideal candidate for electric propulsion; retrofitting the stern with a Torqeedo or ePropulsion electric outboard reduces stern weight, eliminates gasoline fumes, and matches the boat’s quiet, eco-friendly sailing ethos.

To support upgraded electronics, owners frequently replace the rudimentary factory 12-volt wiring with a modern lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery system. A single 100Ah lithium battery can easily power a modern chartplotter, depth sounder, VHF radio, and LED cabin lighting for days, and can be easily recharged via a flexible solar panel mounted on the companionway garage or a bimini frame. Replacing the aging stainless steel wire rope of the keel hoist with high-strength Dyneema line is another highly recommended upgrade, as Dyneema eliminates the risk of fish-hook burrs and reduces friction inside the centerboard trunk 3.

The Verdict

The Sportlake 660 is an exceptionally clever, well-engineered pocket cruiser that punches far above its weight class. It is an ideal vessel for sailing couples or small families who want the flexibility of trailer-sailing without sacrificing basic domestic comforts like a private head and galley. While it requires active helm management in heavy weather, its ease of transport and shallow-draft capability make it one of the most versatile weekenders of its generation.

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