lite xp sailboat

Our rowing boats

Liteboat creates innovative rowing boats that combine excellent stability, light weight and ease of use, while maintaining the mechanics of a high-performance rowing stroke.

All boats are easy to rig, easy to row and easy to transport atop your car roof. Innovative design and advanced construction techniques provide a boat that is safe and trustworthy to row on all types of water. The recreational line is great for the beginner looking to get started in sliding seat rowing, through to the experienced oarsperson looking for a relaxing way to continue to reap the benefits of rowing. Liteboat provides all the benefits of sliding seat rowing in a variety of weather and water conditions, without the instability.

Made for leisure and adventure! The X Row is a very stable sports boat, ideal for a late start to rowing or for adventure.

LiteSport 4.6

A new version of our best seller, dedicated to lightweight rowers looking for solo recreational rowing boat.

LiteSport 5.0

A leisure rowing boat with an innovative design, very easy to use and with an extraordinary stability! Can be transported on a car roof.

This boat is a stable leisure skiff, its compact size and reduced hull width make it the narrowest and lightest boat in the Liteboat range.

The LiteDUO is a versatile, stable double rowing boat. It is perfect for beginners to advanced rowers, and people looking for duo adventures.

The LiteTrio is an innovative and unique touring & learning boat, for 3 rowers (sculling), or 2 rowers (sculling/sweep rowing) and a cox.

LiteQuattro

The LiteQuattro is a recreational Gig boat, halfway between a coxed four and a gig.

LiteRace 1X

For ocean lovers or competitors, this FISA compliant solo coastal rowing boat is made for performance, with an increase stability.

LiteRace 2X

The LiteRace 2X is a high-performance FISA compliant double coastal racing boat, designed to equip great champions.

LiteRace 4X

The LiteRace 4X is a high-performance coastal racing quad. This FISA compliant quadruple scull can be adjusted to the physiognomy of each rower.

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• Sailboat Guide

2020 Liteboat LiteXP

• Description

Seller's Description

Ready for your next adventure? The XP is a great day sailor or an adventure boat capable of extended coastal cruising. The LiteXP was the fastest boat under 20 feet to finish the 750-mile Race to Alaska (R2AK) in 2018. The boat also won the 2019 European Yacht of the Year award (special yacht category).

Designed by French naval architect Sam Manuard and built in France using vacuum-infusion, the LiteXP is a fast monohull with a safe, simple rig that also moves well when rowed. Price exclusive of transport and applicable taxes. Please contact for details.

Equipment: Standard features include: Mainsail by North Sails, 2-piece carbon mast, integrated sliding-seat rowing station, foot-stretcher, oarlocks, sculling oars and compact sleeping cabin for two.

Options include: Genaker by North Sails, 2-piece take-apart carbon oars, removable wheels, boat cover, integrated camping tent, and special hull covers.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

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• Last update: 20th March 2020
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• +33 476 404 676
• 284 Rue Viscamine 38530 Pontcharra - France

Sailboats You Can Row (Complete List)

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

August 30, 2022

There are plenty of sailboats that have distinct features that separate one from another. In fact, there are some sailboats you can row and others you cannot.

Some smaller sailboats are grouped into this category, like the dinghy, dory, and rowboat. But which sailboats are ones you can row?The ones listed below are an excellent place to start in search of a sailboat that you can row. These boats you can row without compromising your sailing experience. Other brands have similar features, but these stand out to the rest in the industry.

The best sailing rowboats are:

Chesapeake Light Craft

While most of these options are going to be smaller boats, each one will serve its purpose on the water. These boats have a respectable price point and allow you to have the best of both worlds when it comes to sailing and rowing.

According to experienced sailors in the industry, you want to know the differences between what your boat can do and cannot. For sailboats that you can row, you will see exactly what they are intended to do versus a cruiser or other sailboat.

Table of contents

‍ Best Sailing Rowboats

There are a lot of factors that go into a sailboat being the best rowboat. Depending on the brand, size, cost, and desired use, many will compete for your business.

While there are potentially more brands out there, these sailing rowboats make the cut based on consumer reports and quality. In addition, they all have a rich history in the sailing rowboat market so you can rest assured you are dealing with high quality craftsmanship.

Angus Rowboats

The Angus Rowboats have been in the business since 2009 when a married couple, Julie and Colin Angus, decided to put their adventurous minds together. In doing so, they have literally accomplished every rowing feat you could possibly imagine and have put that experience to good use when designing boats.

The Sailing Row Cruiser is arguably the best boat that they offer in terms of versatility. This boat was designed with the same racing hull but they gave it a ketch sailing rig with planing amas.

When sailing, this boat can reach up to 12 knots. As for rowing in calmer waters, you can expect to reach up to four knots or so.

The main hull can be utilized as the focus of rowing for one person, while the other hulls can contain passengers. When anchored or docked, this boat can also sleep an adult in the cabin.

Looking at costs, it is $1300 for the Row Cruiser Hull and $1820 for the sailing components. To have it all put together, you can have it completed for $3500.

Chesapeake Light Craft (CLC) has been dominating for decades in the rowing boats industry. Back in 2020, they were shipping out their 40,000th boat kit.

They have a fairly small staff compared to other big name brands, with just over 20 employees. When it comes to building row boats, they have excellent experience.

They have a handful of sailing rowboats to choose from. These include:

Passagemaker Standard

Northeaster dory, jimmy skiff ii, eastport nesting pram.

This boat is one of the easiest to build, row, and sail. If you are in the market to build your boat with the kit, this is an excellent choice for first timers. You can expect this to cost around $1200 and up depending on the added features.

This rowing boat is slightly bigger than the Skerry, as it holds up to three people. If you want something lighter, this boat weighs roughly 90 pounds compared to heavier dinghies. The cost to build this boat is around $3200 and up depending on added features.

One of the more versatile dory boats out there is the Northeaster. This one offers a substantial payload of 800 pounds to carry plenty of gear and a few passengers. This classic looking boat will range in cost, starting around $3600 and more with the sailing components.

The original Skiff was designed in 1998 and had a lot of success. Over the next 20 years, the Jimmy Skiff II was designed with better handling, more comfort, better seats, and is 15 percent larger. You are looking at $3700 or more to add the sailing components to this boat.

This dinghy is just under eight feet, so it is light and compatible for anyone wanting to get on the water. These carry a decent load while also being able to sail. The price to add on the sailing components will cost around $2200 or more.

The Norseboat brand prides themselves as the “Swiss army knife of boats”. They offer three sailboats that you can row, which include the Norseboat 12.5, 17.5 Classic, and the 21.5.

Each boat offers unique features that can suit any sailor's tastes. They all are well built and are fast, but the size could make the biggest difference. The prices range from $13,000 to $35,000 depending on size and features.

Norseboat 12.5

This cruiser/tender offers the perfect blend of functionality and performance. Most view this one as just a dinghy, but it can be easily used as a daysailer while rowing. The sailing components are a gaff-rigged cat with a pivoting carbon mast.

Norseboat 17.5 Classic

The best selling Norseboat in their lineup is the 17.5 Classic. This design was the first one made in 2002 when founder Kevin Jeffrey made it happen.

This rig is around 18 feet and can be put through tough conditions while sailing. While sailing, you can expect around eight knots and around three knots while rowing.

Norseboat 21.5

The 21.5 is the best daysailer and coastal cruiser they offer with high performance. This one is just under 22 feet long and can sit up to eight people comfortably.

The sailplan is a sloop rig with a pivoting carbon mast and furling genoa. Whether you are sailing or rowing, you can have the best of both worlds with this design.

Whitehall rowing boats have a unique perspective on rowing. They emphasize getting back to nature and being more outdoors, which their brand nails on the head perfectly.

Their Classic Whitehall Spirit 17 sailing rowboat is one of the best sailing rowboats you can find on the market. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned professional, you can definitely navigate comfortably.

This one allows you to visit shallow waters with its kick-up rudder and easily move your camping gear or picnic supplies with ease. It also does not take long to set up and can easily be swapped from sailing to rowing when needed.

They pride themselves so much on their craft that they claim it will easily last for 100 years, assuming you take care of it. With their built in buoyancy, it is arguably very hard to sink too. You can find this boat starting around $37,000.

Lite Boat XP

Lite XP offers an interesting sailing and rowing experience. These designs are arguably some of the more appealing ones, but they also take into account confort and performance.

The Lite XP 20 has a small cabin to hold two people and you can even sleep on. This is also a perfect size to carry enough belongings to travel for a few days. The price begins around $26,000.

The other one they feature is the Lite XP 16, which is slightly smaller than the 20 and is considered a dinghy. Essentially the same features, you are only missing out on a few feet and storage space. This one costs around $15,500.

Why People Want to Sail and Row

For quite some time, it seemed almost impossible to find a boat that you can sail and row. Sure, many boats are excellent at one or the other, but not many are great at both.

Depending on the brand you choose, you can have high quality aspects of both without compromising on either of those features. However, the price could be the biggest influence in your decision.

The real reason sailors want to incorporate both is that you can be a little more active in nature and still have a great sailing experience. When the wind dies down and sailing is not as attractive, you could opt for rowing instead.

If you have multiple people on board, this can create an excellent bonding experience for families and friends. You are likely going to need everyone’s help at some point on board, so turning this into a friendly experience is great.

While some sailing rowboats are smaller in size, there are a handful that can accommodate a few people to sleep in. Depending on your traveling situations and location, you could travel in these for days if you plan your routes accordingly.

How to Find the Perfect Sailing Rowboat

Before taking a loan or having your money ready to buy a boat, you first need to understand your desired use of a sailing rowboat. You need to know where and how you will use it.

A combination of many things will affect the process of your decision. This boils down to your main sailing purpose, how often you intend to row or sail, the passenger loads, and if you intend to sleep on it.

If you plan on sailing roughly 65 percent of the time and rowing for about 35, then a Norseboat or Jimmy Skiff II is ideal. If you primarily want to row but like the added feature of a sail, then sticking with a Northeaster dory, Eastport Nesting Pram, or Skerry might be right for you.

Some sailing rowboats might incorporate a motor, whether it is to be used for safety or speed. Regardless of how you use it, it could affect the overall performance of the boat.

Price ranges might be one of the biggest factors in some sailors getting their hands on certain brands. While expensive does not necessarily mean the best, there are quality options to consider when looking for the best sailing rowboat, such as comfort and luxury.

The dinghies or smaller sailing rowboats are going to be the cheapest options. If you can build them yourself, you can actually save a few thousand dollars.

Sailing experience is another thing to keep in mind before jumping into a boat like the Norseboat 21.5. If you have little to no experience, you might want to consider a smaller boat or something a little easier to operate.

Should You Build or Buy Completed?

There is nothing wrong with choosing a smaller, cheaper dinghy to get things started. This way you can learn the basics of sailing and understand how to use the sail but also incorporate rowing without breaking the bank.

If you want to save money, one of the best things you can do is order the build kits online and construct them yourself. They have building plans that you can follow and some only take roughly a week to put together depending on the size.

Building your own sailing rowboat from a kit can be a lifelong rewarding experience. As long as you have a basic understanding of common tools and can follow instructions, you can put together these boats.

If you like a specific brand but do not want to order their kit, most will have their build available for purchase. Just keep in mind that you will have to source all of the materials yourself and it could potentially take longer to find everything you need.

With that being said, you are likely limited to what size you can put together yourself. Unless you are more experienced in building boats, you might not be able to put together some of the bigger sailing rowboats.

Whichever method you choose, the biggest difference between buying or building is time. Of course the money is a large factor, but time building could be several weeks if you are dealing with a complicated build.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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LiteXP : Liteboat's rowing veil for Alaska

Mathieu Bonnier, founder of rowing boat manufacturer Liteboat, is taking part in the Race to Alaska race with a sailing and rowing trimaran prototype. A small glimpse of the boat.

An extreme race made for him

As we mentioned in our article on Liteboat, Mathieu Bonnier is an adventure lover. He already has a transatlantic race and a Northwest Passage to his credit. What could be more normal for him than to embark on the Race to Alaska or R2AK adventure, a 1200 km race without assistance and engine linking Port Townsend in Washington State to Ketchikan in Alaska? The first edition of 2015 showed the extent of the possibilities combining sailing and rowing.

A boat specially designed for R2AK

Faithful to his accomplice naval architect , the owner of Liteboat called upon Sam Manuard to design a sail and oar boat adapted to the race. Although he had initially considered competing only in rowing with a Lite-Race model, it soon became clear that the length of the stages and the expected performance required to relieve the rower. For this, the addition of a sail was necessary.

In order to obtain the necessary stability, lateral floats are added to the Race Bed, in front of the swim bench, so as not to hinder propulsion. It now has the stiffness of a trimaran .

A shelter to sleep in

The race lasting several days, the sailor will have to sleep. For this, he can set up a tent on a trampoline 50 cm wide. A comfortable shelter that it will deploy on land if the weather conditions are too harsh. Indeed, with a weight lower than 100 kg, complete arming, the boat can be reassembled on a beach.

Objective 10 knots

Equipped with a North Sails wardrobe composed of a 5.3 m² mainsail with horn and an 8 m² gennaker, the boat must reach 10 knots according to its skipper. A novice sailor, Mathieu Bonnier sees it above all as a way to relieve the rower.

Main Features

• Width: 2.80m
• Total weight: 100 kg
• Mainsail: 5,30 m²
• Gennaker : 8 m²
• Central drift and rudder
• Tent shelter

What future for the Lite XP?

Asked about the future of the Lite XP, Liteboat's boss explains that it is initially an operation to promote the brand in the United States and a personal adventure. However, if enough potential customers declare themselves to make moulds, the design of a model inspired by the Lite XP is possible. The issues of budget and ability imply a slightly different conception. Notice to amateurs...

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

European Yacht of the Year 2019: Special yachts

• Toby Hodges
• May 31, 2019

The most competitive and varied category of the 2019 European Yacht of the Year, special yachts focuses on daysailers, from the compact to the luxurious

Photo: Rick Tomlinson

This category assembles a varying mix of interesting craft, many of which we might otherwise not have had the chance to sail, and this year’s nominees shared a collective ability to delight the helmsman.

Finalist: Aira 22

The Aira 22 is an unassuming looking dayboat, designed to replace the popular Polyvalk school/club boat in the Netherlands. I had so much fun sailing this Martin Voogd design in wind and waves off Port Ginesta, both surfing and punching upwind, I refused to head in until our raw hands could take heaving sheets no longer.

It’s a bit uncomfortable, particularly perched up on the weather rail, but the Aira’s rudder never lost grip, its central mainsheet is easy to play and it has a cockpit that can host an army of friends.

An affordable, fun, light boat (750kg) with a simple retractable keel, available in three versions including with an optional economic electric pod drive. Price ex VAT: €11,900. Photo: Bertel Kolthof

Finalist: RS21

The RS21 is another blast to sail. Designed to race with two to four crew (inboard – no hiking) and for everyone to have a role aboard. I had a memorable sail, two-up in Sweden, in the last of the evening breeze. With the gennaker hoisted we could still power it up in the single-figure ‘gusts’ and bear off onto the plane.

The control lines are well laid out to allow all crewmembers to be active and enjoy the experience. The optional, retractable central Torqeedo pod is a smart solution, part of a focus on sustainability that I applaud – RS use bio resin and the core foam is made from recycled plastic bottles.

An attractive, new, all-round performance offering to the club racing keelboat market from dinghy leaders RS, this is a blast for all to sail. Price ex VAT: €22,500. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Finalist: Saffier SE37 Lounge

I salute the Saffier for its looks, build quality and performance. Its innovative cockpit layout, with wheels and winches forward of the huge lounging area, really works well and makes it a doddle to sail solo.

A luxury sports car of the sea, with top-end looks and quality and an intelligent cockpit design, the Saffier promotes pure sailing pleasure in stylish comfort. Price ex VAT: €209,500. Photo: Bertel Kolthof

Finalist: Domani S30

Where the Domani lacks some of the performance and stiffness of the Saffier, it’s an attractive looking package with a neat Torqeedo electric engine installation and a smart interior.

This is a relatively light, good-sized sporty dayboat that seems well built and finished for the price.

A trailable sportsboat with a slick roadster look, the Domani is well finished, comfortable, fun to sail and has a neat interior. Price ex VAT: €86,900. Photo: Bertel Kolthof

Winner: Lite XP

The concept of the (180kg) Lite XP is the brainchild of Liteboat’s Mathieu Bonnier, who used it to compete in the Race to Alaska – a 750-mile non-motorised event from Washington to Victoria to Kethikan.

The result is this super lightweight 20ft centreboard sailing and rowing craft, which comes with optional sliding rowing seat, carbon oars, a cuddy with two berths and a cockpit tent, all extras that encourage proper adventure.

Exploration is back! The Lite XP: the most enjoyable (and quietest) adventure you can have in under 20ft? Photo: Rick Tomlinson

The boom-less, short carbon rig with low centre of effort makes sailing simple – yet the Lite XP packs a punch, planes in zephyrs and was unanimously voted the most fun boat to sail in the trials. A fellow judge clocked 13 knots in 15-18 knots of breeze in the flat Swedish waters.

The performance is perhaps unsurprising, given its designer – Sam Manuard is responsible for some of the fastest Class 40s, the Seascape range and a foiling IMOCA 60 currently in build.

To convert the Lite XP to rowing takes less than a minute, as the sliding seat simply fits into grooves moulded into the central thwart. Being able to row the boat efficiently avoids the need for an engine.

I would argue that there is no more appropriate recreational boat to use around picturesque waters like Sweden’s west coast archipelago. To row out leaving no sound and have a boat efficient enough to harness every knot of breeze is a pure form of sailing.

A celebration of simple sailing pleasure, the Lite XP is a blast to sail, will keep you fit and avoid the need for an outboard. It’s a niche boat, but a commendable execution of a brilliant design.

Specification

LOA: 5.99m (19ft 8in) Beam (max): 1.78m (5ft 10in) Draught: 0.14m-1.07m (6in – 3ft 6in) Displacement (lightship): 145kg (320lb) Price (ex. VAT): €21,000 Design: Sam Manuard

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Not a Starship not afloat: Once stuck-in-ice vessel is now on bottom of St. John River

Owner has until end of month to remove it, previous owner heartbroken over demise.

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The owner of a sunken sailboat has until the end of the month to get it out of the water, according to a deadline set by Transport Canada. 

The department "has determined that the Not a Starship vessel has the potential to present a hazard to navigation, and a deadline of April 30, 2024, has been set for its removal," Transport Canada communications adviser Katherine Proulx said in an email.

She said the department is working with the owner to make sure the sailboat is removed in a "responsible manner."

"If the deadline isn't met, the vessel will be deemed as abandoned under the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act, and the owner could face enforcement actions, including monetary penalties."

Sailboat owner Jordan Tatton has not responded to several requests for an interview. 

Not a Starship now not afloat

Local residents have expressed concern about the sailboat for months — even long before the river froze. 

Rob Thom was one of them. The Greenwich resident said the sailboat was originally anchored in front of his home before two December storms dragged the boat to the cove in front of Beulah Camp. 

He said he was worried about the environmental damage should the boat sink. The boat, after all, was equipped with a diesel engine, a generator and the batteries necessary to operate the solar panels. 

Even at the time the boat first started to stink, the Coast Guard said it wasn't concerned about pollution.

Within days, spokesperson Debbie Buott-Matheson said there was a "minimal amount of non-persistent oils" on the vessel, meaning the type of fuel on board would have evaporated from the surface of the water within 48 hours.

The New Brunswick Department of Environment said it was not involved in the case. A spokesperson said Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard are the lead agencies.

Thom is also concerned about the hazard the sunken vessel presents to boaters, especially with the 17-metre (56-foot) mast — and a second shorter one — protruding above the surface. 

Although Thom has seen a few boats already on the water, he said the danger will increase significantly as the boat traffic increases with warmer weather. 

As a member of the local fire department, he said they're not equipped or authorized to respond should someone strike the boat and need assistance. 

"So when it comes out of the water, it'll be a sigh of relief for us for sure," he said. 

'Gut punch' for previous owner

For residents who have been following the story of the Not a Starship , it's been a bit of a slow-motion train wreck, but for the boat's previous owner, it's been a "gut punch." 

Trevor Laird said someone he didn't know sent him a message through LinkedIn and said simply, "Somebody sank your boat." 

"I was floored to be honest. I told my wife — it almost brought tears to her eyes."

He said the boat is "a one-of-a-kind." 

Watch the saga of the scuttled sailboat, from start to sunk

"Not a Starship is essentially a boat built with love. It's a handcrafted ship that doesn't match anything else that's been made or mass manufactured."

And its name is a bit of an inside joke for the Lairds. As "space nerds," they would often travel to see SpaceX's Starship rocket launches. 

When SpaceX's founder Elon Musk famously created and sold flamethrowers, it created a bit of a stir because of the potential dangers of putting the devices into the hands of the public. Not long after, the product was renamed "not a flamethrower."

'Sacrifice to let her go'

The Lairds owned the boat for about 18 months and travelled on it extensively before selling it to Tatton last summer. 

By then, they had moved to Texas and shipping the boat was just too expensive to entertain, explained Laird. 

He said it was a "sacrifice to let her go," but he didn't want anything bad to happen to it in storage — "which is ironic now." 

Laird said he feels especially bad for the man who sold him the boat. He said the man had taken 10 years to painstakingly rebuild and refurbish the boat. 

The man put it back in the water in 1999 and spent the next 20 years travelling all around Canada with his family. 

Laird said his own family created incredible memories in the relatively short time they owned the boat, travelling mostly along the St. John River and south along the Atlantic coast into the United States. 

"It was an adventure of a lifetime for us. We wanted to find something that got us outside all together, a skill that we could all learn together. … We all did that together. We all learned together. So it was great memories as a family and just a bit of adventure, you know?

"I wish we could have taken it with us, you know. I wish it was sitting right down here. I think we all wished that now."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mia Urquhart is a journalist with CBC New Brunswick, based in Saint John. She can be reached at [email protected].

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