Blog · Guide · By Lenam Vela Ligera · Updated: September 2026

How to choose boats for a sailing school

By age and level: group boats, single-handers and catamarans for a fleet that lasts.

In short: Combine group boats (the Omega, up to 7 crew, or the Argo, up to four people) with single-handed beginner boats (Taz, Europi, Topper or Optimist) and with the Topaz, a powerful boat that sells well and is very popular with schools. For variety, add catamarans. Choose polyethylene for minimal maintenance and keep spare parts close at hand.

Choosing the fleet for a sailing school is a decision for many years. The boats must be safe for students, comfortable for instructors, tough enough for daily use and easy to maintain. We have been equipping schools and clubs since 1995, and this is how we recommend going about it.

1. Start with your students

Your students' age, weight and level decide the type of boat. A group of children on their first day is not the same as adults who can already sail.

• Children starting out: the Taz is very stable and easy to handle; a 30 kg child can sail it alone and it carries up to 160 kg, so two children fit too. The Europi uses the same sail as the Optimist and is very easy to right.
• First steps in racing: the Optimist.
• Young people and adults: the Topper and the Topaz, which grows with the sailor thanks to its four versions.

Among the single-handers, the Topaz deserves a special mention: it is a powerful boat, a strong seller and very popular with schools. At 3.86 m and 60 kg, one hull takes four versions, from the simplest to the gennaker and trapeze versions, so the sailor can upgrade the boat as they progress, and it can be carried on a car roof.

2. Group boats: more students per instructor

Group boats let the instructor sail with a group so everyone learns at the same time. The Omega is 4.70 m long and comfortably carries up to 7 crew. The Argo, at 4.40 m, carries up to four people: four adults, or an instructor and three pupils. For smaller groups there are the Vibe (1 to 3 people) and the Magno.

3. Catamarans for variety and progression

Catamarans get students hooked. The Topaz 12 is a very stable platform for introducing children to sailing, with a masthead float and righting lines. The Topaz 14 and the Topaz 16 bring more speed and the trapeze, while staying easy to handle.

4. Toughness and maintenance

A school fleet gets launched, knocked and used by many hands. That is why we recommend polyethylene: the whole Topper range is built with Trilam, three layers of polyethylene and foam that give strength with little weight and minimal maintenance. To find out more, read polyethylene or fibreglass.

5. Spare parts and service close by

A boat out of action means a group without a class. Always ask about spare parts: at Lenam we supply parts for the whole Topper range, with the Topper International parts list and quotes with delivery included. See how in Topper spare parts.

Summary: models for schools

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