Description
The Ellen Sprit Rig is a sailing configuration featured on the Ellen 12, a 12-foot lapstrake (clinker-built) dinghy designed by John Brooks of Brooks Boats Designs in Brooksville, Maine, introduced in 1996. The Ellen 12 is a classic sail-and-oar boat, blending traditional aesthetics with modern glued-lapstrake plywood construction for ease of building and versatile performance. The sprit rig is the standard sail option (alongside the optional sliding gunter rig), prized for its simplicity, boomless design, and ease of reefing—perfect for solo sailors, families, or yacht tenders. Over 100 Ellens have been built, often in workshops at the WoodenBoat School, where Brooks teaches. The sprit rig's compact setup and forgiving handling make it ideal for day sailing, rowing, or light racing, earning praise as a "nimble, stable gem" that’s both a beginner’s delight and a seasoned sailor’s joy.
