The Lightning sailboat was designed by the Naval Architectural firm of Sparkman & Stephens in response to a request from the John and George Barnes, owners of Skaneateles Boats, Inc. The Barnes brothers were interested in building a one-design sailboat which could be used both for racing as well as family day sailing. The two firms collaborated closely on the design of the sailboat over a two-year period, and prototype Lightning #1 (now part of the watercraft Collection at Mystic Seaport Museum) was built in 1938. The boat received an enthusiastic response from the yachting world, and production began in earnest the following year.

Lightning #167 shown here was one of the approximately 112 Lightnings built by Skaneateles Boats, Inc. in 1939, the first year of production. Records indicate that the boat was sold to Ward’s Sporting Goods Store, a dealer in Ogdensburg, NY, who in turn sold the boat to a gentleman residing in that town. The boat appears to have spent much of its life sailing on the St. Lawrence River, passing through a succession of owners and eventually relocating to the Finger Lakes. In 1997 #167 was donated to the Finger Lakes Boating Museum.

The old sailboat came to us in seriously deteriorated condition. Half of her bottom planks had been discarded, revealing badly deteriorated frames. Many of the side frames were also deteriorated, as were portions of the decking and side planks. All of the mahogany trim, including splash rails and combing, was missing. Fortunately, her spars and most of the original hardware had been retained. In the fall of 2007 Museum volunteers began a 9-month restoration project which was completed on July 4th, 2008. That afternoon she returned home to Skaneateles where she participated in the Lightning 70th Anniversary Celebration that weekend