Bandit 15

Description

The Bandit 15 is a classic lightweight centerboard dinghy designed by Rod Macalpine-Downie and Dick Gibbs (the successful duo behind many popular one-designs like the Hobie 16 and others), built by Sail MFG (MFG Sailboats, a division of Molded Fiber Glass in the USA), and first introduced in 1972. Production ran through the 1970s (with some boats built into the early 1980s), resulting in an estimated several hundred hulls (exact numbers are not well-documented but it was a moderately popular regional class, especially in the Midwest and Great Lakes areas). Outstanding characteristics include its simple, durable fiberglass construction with pivoting centerboard and kick-up rudder for shallow-water versatility and beaching, fractional sloop rig for easy handling and responsive performance, planing hull capable of carrying a full crew (up to 4 adults comfortably, though best sailed by 2), roller furling jib and optional spinnaker for fun downwind sailing, two deck options (sit-on with wide side decks or sit-in with long seats for better comfort), lightweight and trailerable design (around 260–320 lbs), and a reputation as an affordable, forgiving entry-level racer or daysailer—often praised in owner forums for its stability, speed in a breeze, and suitability for family fun, club racing, or learning to sail.