The Comet was designed by C. Lowndes Johnson as a trailerable version of the Star. The design combines a 16 foot hard chine planing hull with a classic sloop rig with a distinctively large mainsail. The result is a boat that can plane downwind and on a reach in just 10 to 12 knots of wind, yet remain stable upwind.

Her light weight (260-295 lbs.), generous sail area (140 sq. ft.) and semi-flat bottom, make her easily driven to weather and can be planned off the wind in breezes of only 10 to 12 knots. The Comet carries a sloop rig (mainsail and jib), the mast stands twenty feet five inches above the deck and is supported by a fully adjustable three stay rig. The hulls are available in either fiberglass or wood, and since 1972, fiberglass Comets have been fully self rescuing. They feature watertight side tanks or false bottoms which are self bailing in the event of a capsize. The boat has evolved greatly since it's 1932 design by C. Lowndes Johnson and has kept pace with the times. The modern Comet sports "Go Fasts" as vang sheeting, mast benders and depending on the skipper's appetite for complexity, ball bearing travelers, and magic boxes for mast rake control. All sail adjustments may be placed on the cockpit coaming, to be at finger tip control from a fully hiked position.

The boat carries a crew of two for racing, making it ideal for husband and wife or parent and child teams, yet it can hold three adults for pleasure sailing. The boat is easily trailered, rigged and launched. Even more importantly, the Comet is one of the most affordable one-designs in its class, with fully equipped and competitive used boats available from $1000 to $2,500.

The Comet sailors compete in regattas within its territory and in such prestigious events as the Bermuda International Invitational Race Week, and in National and International Regattas.

The Comet has a long history.
Below is a gathering of articles and other historical data and photos regarding the Comet.

A Young Brother of the Stars for Chesapeake Bay - This article appeared in Yachting magazine circa 1930's

A Pictorial History of the Comet - 1952

A History of the Comet Class on the Chesapeake Bay - 1977 - by Mary Swayne

The Development of the boat and the class - by John Brodsky

Bob Thompson -(boat builder) being honored by the Finger Lakes Boating Museum in 2005