NaCzarter Team
Sportina — the Iconic Masurian Sailboat (and Where Delphia Came From)
There are boats you keep coming back to in memory the way you remember your first sailing camp: the smell of sun-warmed laminate, the splash of the centreboard dropping into the shallows, the tiller in your hand and the whole family squeezed into a low cabin. For generations of Masurian sailors, that boat was the Sportina — budget-friendly, nimble, fast, "with racing qualities", built to teach real sailing. It wasn't luxury. It was the beginning of a love affair with the water.
From little Olecko to the world — the proud story of one shipyard
Sportinas were built at the SPORTLAKE shipyard in Olecko, founded in 1990 by brothers Piotr and Wojciech Kot. Behind the hull lines stood designer Andrzej Skrzat (1945–2025), the author of projects that still stir a wave of nostalgia today. The most beautiful part of the story, though, is what came next: in August 2003 the company changed its name to DELPHIA YACHTS — today a global manufacturer that has launched more than 20,000 boats. The journey "from the Masurian Sportina to the world-famous Delphia" is one of the finest chapters in Polish sailing.
The Sportina family — cabin boats, centreboarders, Masurian to the core
Sportinas are small cabin yachts — centreboarders built for inland waters: GRP laminate, a lifting centreboard, a transom-hung rudder with a tiller and a small outboard engine (around 4 HP). The family was made up of the 595, 600, 620, 680, 682 and 760 models. A few of them are surely remembered by every Masurian marina:
- Sportina 595 — the name is the length: about 5.95 m, beam ~2.4 m, draught 0.25–1.25 m. The cabin is only about 1.25 m high (you can't stand up in it), sails ~19–20.5 m², about 4 berths. Andrzej Skrzat's design from 1982.
- Sportina 600 — 6.0 m, beam 2.48 m, draught 0.28–1.10 m, cabin 1.35 m, sails 18 m², 4 berths (2+2).
- Sportina 680 — 6.80 m, beam 2.50 m, draught 0.29–1.30 m, cabin 1.45 m, 4–5 berths, sails ~20.5 m². This was Sportlake's first yacht.
- Sportina 682 — a refreshed version of the 680: 6.82 m, beam 2.5 m, draught 0.29–1.3 m, cabin 1.4 m, 5 people (2+3), sails 20.3 m².
- Sportina 760 — the largest of the family: about 7.60 m, sails ~25 m², cabin about 180 cm (quoted cautiously).
Why it felt so at home on the Masurian Lakes
The shallow draught and lifting centreboard were assets made precisely for the Masurian shoals — the Sportina came in to the shore without a second thought and slipped into spots where bigger boats had to turn back. The spartan interior, low cabin and minimal fittings aren't a flaw but the charm of a true school of sailing: they taught trim, reefing and respect for the wind. Realistically, 2–3 people slept comfortably, while the nimble hull could deliver plenty of fun with a racing edge. In its day, the Sportina held its own among peers like the Sasanka, Tango, Nash and Focus.
No licence needed — and that hasn't changed
The 595 and 682 models measure under 7.5 m, so on the Masurian Lakes you can sail them without a licence. It's still one of the simplest ways to take the tiller and set off on a cruise — check out our guide to what licence you need for a yacht on the Masurian Lakes and our range of yachts without a licence on the Masurian Lakes.
And what can you sail today in that same friendly spirit?
If you're after that same charming, budget-friendly class — easy to handle, family-friendly, Masurian through and through — today we suggest its newer successors. Same character, just with a touch of modern comfort: Antila 24, Sasanka Viva 600, Twister 26 or the slightly larger TES 32 Dreamer. You'll find them all in our yacht rental on the Masurian Lakes, and if you're torn over which to pick, our article on sailing yachts on the Masurian Lakes — which to choose will help.
Frequently asked questions
Who made Sportina yachts? Sportinas were built at the SPORTLAKE shipyard in Olecko, founded in 1990 by brothers Piotr and Wojciech Kot. The designer behind them was Andrzej Skrzat.
Are Sportina and Delphia the same shipyard? Yes. In August 2003 the company changed its name to Delphia Yachts — today a global manufacturer with more than 20,000 boats launched. It's the journey "from the Masurian Sportina to the world-famous Delphia".
Can you sail a Sportina on the Masurian Lakes without a licence? Yes, models such as the 595 and 682 are under 7.5 m long, so on the Masurian Lakes you can sail them without a licence.
How many people really sleep on a Sportina? Depending on the model there are 4–5 berths, but usually 2–3 people rest comfortably — it's a small cabin centreboard yacht with a low cabin.
Which modern yacht has a similar, friendly character? In the same budget-friendly, easy class we now suggest, among others, the Antila 24, Sasanka Viva 600, Twister 26 and the larger TES 32 Dreamer.
Cover photo: Henryk Poddębski / Wikimedia Commons (domena publiczna / public domain).
