ELLEN GUNTER RIG
Description
The Ellen Gunter Rig is a sailing configuration featured on the Ellen 12, a compact 12-foot lapstrake (clinker-built) dinghy designed by John Brooks of Brooks Boats Designs in Brooksville, Maine. Introduced in 1996, the Ellen 12 is renowned for its classic aesthetics, ease of construction using glued-lapstrake plywood, and versatility as a tender or standalone daysailer. The "Gunter Rig" refers specifically to the optional sliding gunter rig, a compact, gaff-like setup with a vertical reefing system that allows quick adjustments without dropping the sail—ideal for short-handed sailors or variable winds. This rig contrasts with the standard spritsail option, offering a taller sail profile for better light-air performance while maintaining simplicity. Over 100 Ellens have been built, many in workshops at the WoodenBoat School, where Brooks teaches glued-lapstrake techniques.
Construction Details
| Designer | John Brooks |
|---|---|
| Length | 12.000 ft |
| LOA | 12.000 ft |
| LWL | 10.670 ft |
| Beam | 4.000 ft |
| Displacement | 120 lb |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | - |
|---|---|
| j | - |
| p | - |
| e | - |
| p2 | - |
| e2 | - |
| i2 | - |
| j2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 | I2 | J2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Sails
ELLEN GUNTER RIG - 3-SIDED SAIL
| Luff | 14.5 ft - (4420 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 9 ft - (2743 mm) |
| Leech | 15.25 ft - (4648 mm) |
| Tack Ang | 77 ° |
| Area | 63.58 ft² |
| Comments | Gunter with vertical reef |
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Disclaimer. Boats are not all the same -- even when produced in the same factory of the same model. Sailrite does its best to publish accurate dimensions, but we often find it worthwhile to have our customers measure their boats carefully before we produce kits for them. You should take the same precautions, especially when the data is not from Sailrite. The information on this site is not guaranteed to be accurate. Sailrite offers this content as a service to our community, but takes no responsibility for the reliability of the data provided.
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