Classic Moth Boats

Classic Moth Boats

Classic Moth Boats are a class of small fast singlehanded racing sailboats that originated in the US in 1929 by Joel Van Sant in Elizabeth City, NC. The Classic Moth is a monohull development class using a modified version of the International Moth rule in effect pre 1969. With an eleven foot over-all length, a maximum beam of 60 inches, a minimum hull weight of 75 pounds, 72 Sq Ft sail area, and very few other restrictions a Classic Moth can be a skiff, pram, scow, skinny tube, dinghy, or any combination thereof. The Classic Moth Boat is an ideal class for amateur designers builders and tinkerers, and can be easily built from inexpensive materials.

If you wake up in the middle of the night with a novel idea for hull shape, you can leap out of bed, race down to your garage, build it and then find out at the next regatta if your idea is hot or not. Freedom of design sets Moths apart from the clorox bottle (one-design) crowd. Instead of the one design controlling who sails successfully, we design and build Classic Moths that fit our size, ability, taste, skills, artistic expression, and pocketbook.

To broaden the appeal to race all types of Classic Moths, we have created three divisons within the class. At major regattas, all Classic Moths race together but are scored in three different divisions; a Gen 2 division for full on narrow waterline, low wetted surface designs, a Gen 1 division for more stable, higher wetted surface designs, and a Vintage division for restored Moths built before 1950.

Presently, Classic Mothboats race in many locations up and down the east coast of the United States. Regattas are currently held in Brigantine, NJ; Portsmouth, VA; Chestertown, MD; Cooper River, PA; Augusta, GA; Norfolk, VA; Elizabeth City, NC; Charleston, SC., and St. Petersburg, FL. Please refer to the regatta schedule on this site for dates and contact information.

Latest News

2022 Mid Winters Results

Details: Published: March 06 2022

Classic Moth Boat Association 2022 Mid Winters Gulfport FL

A wonderful weekend!

The nine boats that showed up had one of the best regattas in a long time. The weather was perfect, the racing was good, the group dinner Friday nite was memorable, the Saturday cookout featured Jeff's brats plus Rod Koch made us a yummy pot of chili. There was singing in the streets and laughter in the bars. If you missed it, plan for next year NOW. The date for the 2023 Mid-Winter regatta is the last weekend of Feb (25th-26th). Knowledgeable peeps are already locking in rooms at the local motels/BnBs.

Results

Nine boats raced --5 in Gen II, 4 in Gen I. Mark was the only Gen I boat to occasionally finish in front of a Gen II boat. The rest of us kept our distance. Beautiful weather. Winds ranging from very light to maybe 15.

2021 Nationals Results

Details: Published: October 13 2020

Classic Moth Boat Association 2021 National Championship regatta

2020 Nationals Results

Details: Published: October 13 2020

Classic Moth Boat Association 2020 National Championship regatta

After being postponed three weeks due to hurricane Sally, the regatta was held October 10 and 11, 2020 in Elizabeth City, NC, the “Home of the Moth Boat.” Sixteen boats raced in light winds and an occasional drizzle. Six back-to-back races with one throw-out. Racing on Sunday was abandoned.

Mike Parsons repeated as national champion with an almost perfect 1-1-1-1-(2)-1

Results:

Overall and Generation 2 champion: Mike Parsons (Media, PA) sailing Revolution, a mistral design.

Generation 1 champion: George Albaugh (Bowie, MD) sailing Femme Fatale, a Europe dinghy

Vintage champion: Bill Boyle (Delaware) sailing an Abbott design

Masters champion (highest finisher over 65 yrs old.) Joe Bousquet (Norfolk, VA) sailing Try-Umph, a mistral design

Junior champion: Sam Moncla (Elizabeth City, NC) sailing a Europe dinghy

Women’s champion: Emma Mayer (Elizabeth City, NC) sailing Yellow Haze, a Europe dinghy.

2019 Race Schedule.

Details: Published: March 23 2019

We have quite a race schedule for 2019.

Check it out under Schedule.

Grab your life vest, pack your boat and get out there

Happy Sailing

Susla Cates in FLA -- a nice boat for somebody -- FREE --

Details: Published: April 20 2019

I finally have gotten my Dad's blessing to send the Moth on to a new owner. Unfortunately, we did not take the boat down from its ceiling perch, so I do not have any additional photos for you.

My parents are scheduled to close on their house on 8/29. I think the new owners, who are our neighbors, would be fine if the boat was picked up soon after the closing, but if somebody miraculously could pick it up prior to 8/29, that would be amazing.

Laurie S <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.> 952-212-9849

If anyone has any in-depth questions, I will get my Dad on a 3-way call with the prospective owner, however, his memory is starting to fail a bit, so there are no guarantees he can answer all questions.

We are not looking for any money, we just don't want to throw the boat in the dumpster. As I mentioned before, it's mahogany, with no mast, boom, or sail. It really is still quite pretty, since it's been stored indoors its whole life.

Ed Salva - Belgium Roland Europe wood deck nick named Harry Winston

Details: Published: April 20 2019

For sale:

Roland Europe with wood foils a Forté carbon mast that is stiff and a Europe sail.

Sale price $1,500.

Contact Ed Salva @ Julypeapod@gmail.com.

Jean Gruhler's Ventnor -- Ventnor Moth # 661, Maine

Details: Published: April 20 2019

For sale: Ventnor Moth # 661, built by Ventnor Boat Works in West Atlantic City NJ in 1944.

The boat was rebuilt (restored) by Jean A Gruhler in both 1967 and 1991, found its way to Maine
in 2014.

She would like to sail and race again, but we do not have the time.

It has a new paint job, by a professional boat builder.

Sails, spars, both rudders all in very good condition.

Has a cradle

Sale price $1,100.

Contact Lynn Cottrel at <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

early Ventnor

Details: Published: April 20 2019

This is an early Ventnor with an unknown registration number.

Full restoration with cedar stripped deck.

The boat has the number 88 stamped on the CB case.

I believe that is the production number.

Race ready boat. $900 OBO.

Bill

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

410-271-2930

Sun Fun Sailor built from plans in Science & Mechanics Oct 1962

Details: Published: April 20 2019

Hi, I wish to advertise and sell my Moth built by my brother in the 1960’s

For Sale : Sun Fun Sailor built from plans in Science & Mechanics Oct 1962.

Includes trailer and 2 sails. Wood construction hull, mast and boom.

Hull bottom was fiberglassed when built in the 1960’s.

Located in Appleton Wisconsin.

Asking $900.00. Contact Ron Aavang @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call cell # (920)904-2167.