Today, is our second remote controlled yacht, and it is the IOM (or International One Meter).
The boat, is raced all over the world, and is a development class, so allows the class to have people come in, and designed their own boat, although the sail plan, is more strictly controlled. The IOM is thought to be the most sailed, and most competitively sailed remote controlled yacht there is.
As the name suggests, the IOM is one metre long, and the class rules control the amount of draught, and displacement, as well as the length.
The class association, itself, was founded in 2003, to promote the class, and opens, as well as the use and design of these boats.
This is a great class to get into, especially during the winter, when it is sometimes too cold to sail dinghies, and as a result of its popularity, the IOM, is a good entry into the activity of radio sailing, as well as for those winter days when you just don't want to go for a swim!
For more information, please visit: http://www.iomclass.org
And for any images, please see: Click here...
Friday 31 May 2013
Thursday 30 May 2013
The New Zealand moth
The New Zealand moth, is a dinghy based on the original design by Len Morris, and has a one design rig, and hull shape. However, the class does allow development in the centreboard, rudder, deck layout and spars.
The boat, can provide a low cost, fun and easy to sail entry into the sport, and it is also possible to home build, with plans readily available. Its scow hull shape, allow a relatively quick boat, yet it is also nice and easy to sail, without the worry of constantly going for a swim!
It has a sail area of 90 square feet, and a beam of 4' 2", and of course - as with all moths - a length of 3.335m (11'), as well as the nice lightweight hull of 41kg, making it both easy to handle on and off land.
For more information, please see: http://www.sportsground.co.nz/stewartsgullysailing/35489/
And for images, please visit: Click here....
The boat, can provide a low cost, fun and easy to sail entry into the sport, and it is also possible to home build, with plans readily available. Its scow hull shape, allow a relatively quick boat, yet it is also nice and easy to sail, without the worry of constantly going for a swim!
It has a sail area of 90 square feet, and a beam of 4' 2", and of course - as with all moths - a length of 3.335m (11'), as well as the nice lightweight hull of 41kg, making it both easy to handle on and off land.
For more information, please see: http://www.sportsground.co.nz/stewartsgullysailing/35489/
And for images, please visit: Click here....
Wednesday 29 May 2013
16 x 30 canoe
Today, is an unusual boat, but like the international canoe, it has a sliding seat, so you sit outside the boat. The boat itself, was designed for what became the international canoe class, although this is before a rule change, and was at a time when it was mandatory to have two masts on the boats, hence the style of sails on these canoes.
They first came about in the early 20th century, and had about 90 square feet of sail area, with a 5 foot sliding seat, and self draining cockpit, as a result, the boats were a relative success, with quite a few built, although, now, many reside in museums in America.
In recent years, there has been a small resurgence in the class, with several built in America, and these have been sailed, and designed to be easy to build, within one winter, so you can go out, and buy the required materials, and then have it ready for the next season. However, unusually for the class, they were hard chined, and hence sailed slightly differently.
For more information, please visit: http://authenticboats.wordpress.com/16-30-sailing-canoes-2/
And for any images: Click here.
They first came about in the early 20th century, and had about 90 square feet of sail area, with a 5 foot sliding seat, and self draining cockpit, as a result, the boats were a relative success, with quite a few built, although, now, many reside in museums in America.
In recent years, there has been a small resurgence in the class, with several built in America, and these have been sailed, and designed to be easy to build, within one winter, so you can go out, and buy the required materials, and then have it ready for the next season. However, unusually for the class, they were hard chined, and hence sailed slightly differently.
For more information, please visit: http://authenticboats.wordpress.com/16-30-sailing-canoes-2/
And for any images: Click here.
Tuesday 28 May 2013
Lightweight, responsive, and fun.....
The Farr 3.7
The Farr 3.7, is a popular class in New Zealand, and has had around 400 boats built, to this present day.
Designed in 1971 by Bruce Farr. The boat, has been commended for its smooth handling, and has often been compared to a lightweight's contender. The boat itself (as the name suggests) is 3.7m long, and has a beam of 5'.
The boats, also last well, with the first built, still being raced. With a lightweight hull (just 50kg!) and planing hull shape, the boat, can give a fun ride, and is responsive and relatively easy to handle too, so is a good introduction to helming on the trapeze.
The boat itself, was designed by Bruce, as a singlehanded version of his successful, 12' and 18' skiffs, and a trainer for them, and, from what I have seen and read, it seems to have comfortably fitted the designed aims, and the idea behind it has worked well.
With 8.8 square metres of sail area, the boat itself, with its trapeze, isn't hard to handle, and as a result has a guide crew weight of (around) 55 - 80 kilos, so can provide a good alternative to the more popular laser.
In more recent times, people have experimented with putting an asymmetric spinnaker on the boats, and despite; not being class legal, people have managed to have a lot fo fun out of them this way.
Currently, there are two boats in the UK, which are being sailed, although, there are more being built - both professionally and home built.
For pictures and more information, please see: http://www.uk3-7class.org
The Farr 3.7, is a popular class in New Zealand, and has had around 400 boats built, to this present day.
Designed in 1971 by Bruce Farr. The boat, has been commended for its smooth handling, and has often been compared to a lightweight's contender. The boat itself (as the name suggests) is 3.7m long, and has a beam of 5'.
The boats, also last well, with the first built, still being raced. With a lightweight hull (just 50kg!) and planing hull shape, the boat, can give a fun ride, and is responsive and relatively easy to handle too, so is a good introduction to helming on the trapeze.
The boat itself, was designed by Bruce, as a singlehanded version of his successful, 12' and 18' skiffs, and a trainer for them, and, from what I have seen and read, it seems to have comfortably fitted the designed aims, and the idea behind it has worked well.
With 8.8 square metres of sail area, the boat itself, with its trapeze, isn't hard to handle, and as a result has a guide crew weight of (around) 55 - 80 kilos, so can provide a good alternative to the more popular laser.
In more recent times, people have experimented with putting an asymmetric spinnaker on the boats, and despite; not being class legal, people have managed to have a lot fo fun out of them this way.
Currently, there are two boats in the UK, which are being sailed, although, there are more being built - both professionally and home built.
For pictures and more information, please see: http://www.uk3-7class.org
Sunday 26 May 2013
The 'Heavyweight' Sharpie
Today, is the more traditional sharpie, with a gaff rig, designed in 1931. The class was, at one point, in the Olympics (during 1956 - to be precise), and at this time, it was said to be the peak for the class.
Despite, its name, the 12 square metre sharpie, actually has closer to 16 square metres of sail, at the moment compared to the original design, and sails off a handicap of around 1026, so, despite its age, it is still relatively quick.
The sharpie, is still raced in Europe (including the UK) competitively, and is a contender for the vintage games, it being a previous boat of the olympics.
The boat, looks fun to sail, and has a two person crew, with no spinnaker (unlike the lightweight sharpie), and a whisker pole, for the jib (downwind).
For photos, please visit: click here...
Saturday 25 May 2013
Open sailing canoe
Today, is a boat which has many forms, and is often used for cruising. It can be a a trimaran or just a monohull, but both of them look like fun. With many different forms, and they can be sailed one or two or more up, depending on the size of craft. And essentially this is how the international canoe class came to being, with open canoes being raced, up until the Americans came along to one of the events, and sat on the side of the boats. Eventually this evolved into sliding seat type craft, and the international canoe class - as we know it today - was born.
However, today we are discussing the open sailing canoe, so that is enough on international canoes....
As the name suggests, (and has already partially been said) it is a very open class. And as a result, virtually any canoe with sails is allowed into the class. Although, there are three main canoe classes. There is the ACA class, C class and the Cruising class.
The ACA class rules stipulate, that the canoe can be any shape, however, the sails must be bought through the ACA national association, along with plans for the rig, or you can by a rig through the association. The C class canoe, can be any hull shape, up to 564cm, and cannot be asymmetrical, as a result, these canoes can be pretty fast. And, lastly the Cruising class, is a symmetrical hull shape, and sail area is decided by the length and shape of the boat.
For more information and images, please visit: http://www.ocsg.org.uk
However, today we are discussing the open sailing canoe, so that is enough on international canoes....
As the name suggests, (and has already partially been said) it is a very open class. And as a result, virtually any canoe with sails is allowed into the class. Although, there are three main canoe classes. There is the ACA class, C class and the Cruising class.
The ACA class rules stipulate, that the canoe can be any shape, however, the sails must be bought through the ACA national association, along with plans for the rig, or you can by a rig through the association. The C class canoe, can be any hull shape, up to 564cm, and cannot be asymmetrical, as a result, these canoes can be pretty fast. And, lastly the Cruising class, is a symmetrical hull shape, and sail area is decided by the length and shape of the boat.
For more information and images, please visit: http://www.ocsg.org.uk
Friday 24 May 2013
Day 11
Today, is a boat, which is pretty modern, designed in 2007 by Jo Richards, and there are two different rigs; the XD rig, the other is a standard rig. The XD has a larger spinnaker, trapeze lines and a mylar mainsail.
This boat, despite its rotomould plastic construction, can be a lot of fun, and is great for a beginner learning to trapeze, so the boat has a lot of uses, and so it can be cruised, raced, sailed with two or even one up, and even motored about.
Due to its construction, the vago, requires very little maintenance, and is almost indestructible, so this has been a real attraction to the boat, and as a result, has brought in a number of people into the sport of sailing, which can only be a good thing.
The vago, also planes relatively early, due to its hull shape, and construction, so despite the handicap being 1064, it produces a lot of wake, and a good sensation of speed.
For more information on the Vago, please visit: http://www.vagosailing.com
And for images: http://www.vagosailing.com/gallery/photogal/main/
This boat, despite its rotomould plastic construction, can be a lot of fun, and is great for a beginner learning to trapeze, so the boat has a lot of uses, and so it can be cruised, raced, sailed with two or even one up, and even motored about.
Due to its construction, the vago, requires very little maintenance, and is almost indestructible, so this has been a real attraction to the boat, and as a result, has brought in a number of people into the sport of sailing, which can only be a good thing.
The vago, also planes relatively early, due to its hull shape, and construction, so despite the handicap being 1064, it produces a lot of wake, and a good sensation of speed.
For more information on the Vago, please visit: http://www.vagosailing.com
And for images: http://www.vagosailing.com/gallery/photogal/main/
Thursday 23 May 2013
Lightweight Sharpie
The lightweight sharpie, is a development on the sharpie, with a one piece mast (bermudan rig instead of a gaff rig), it is mainly sailed in Australia.
It is a 20' (well, to be precise, 19' 11 3/4") boat, and the idea was first conceived by the Addison Brothers of Western Australia. The class rules allow little development in the hull shape, with the hope it would keep older boats competitive. And as a result, it is claimed that it isn't a chequebook which wins you races; it is the skill and determination.
The boat, has a crew of three, and a single trapeze, and has around 12 square metres of sail area.
The class derived from the 12 square metre sharpie (or 'heavyweight' sharpie...) and the most recent development has been a larger spinnaker.
As a result, to this, the lightweight sharpie looks like a quick boat, and in 1956 the heavyweight sharpie was one of the boats in the olympics.
For more information, please visit: http://www.sharpies.com.au/index.html
And for some pictures, see: http://www.sharpies.com.au/Gallery.html
It is a 20' (well, to be precise, 19' 11 3/4") boat, and the idea was first conceived by the Addison Brothers of Western Australia. The class rules allow little development in the hull shape, with the hope it would keep older boats competitive. And as a result, it is claimed that it isn't a chequebook which wins you races; it is the skill and determination.
The boat, has a crew of three, and a single trapeze, and has around 12 square metres of sail area.
The class derived from the 12 square metre sharpie (or 'heavyweight' sharpie...) and the most recent development has been a larger spinnaker.
As a result, to this, the lightweight sharpie looks like a quick boat, and in 1956 the heavyweight sharpie was one of the boats in the olympics.
For more information, please visit: http://www.sharpies.com.au/index.html
And for some pictures, see: http://www.sharpies.com.au/Gallery.html
Wednesday 22 May 2013
The Footy
Okay, so this isn't a sailing dinghy, or a yacht, however, it is a sailing boat, so hence the reason for including it...
The footy, was an idea, that (I believe) was first started in the year 2000, by Richard Webb, and it was a simple idea; one that there should be a simple class, which allows a large variety of people to built, design and sail these small boats. Hence, why the boat has such open design parameters. These being, if you build and design your own boat, and if it fits within the measurement box, then it is allowed to race and sail against other footy's. The boat has always been good for an entry to the world of boat building, and you can see this through the variety of different materials used to build the boats, with some having even been built out of carbon fibre to old bottles!
The footy is a fun class, and they look fun to sail, in even the smallest areas of water. And as a result, of the cheap building costs, ease of building and running costs, the footy has had over 400 built, and one even with a wing sail!
For more information, please visit: http://footy.rcsailing.net/index.php
For photos, please see: http://footy.rcsailing.net/gallery.php
The footy, was an idea, that (I believe) was first started in the year 2000, by Richard Webb, and it was a simple idea; one that there should be a simple class, which allows a large variety of people to built, design and sail these small boats. Hence, why the boat has such open design parameters. These being, if you build and design your own boat, and if it fits within the measurement box, then it is allowed to race and sail against other footy's. The boat has always been good for an entry to the world of boat building, and you can see this through the variety of different materials used to build the boats, with some having even been built out of carbon fibre to old bottles!
The footy is a fun class, and they look fun to sail, in even the smallest areas of water. And as a result, of the cheap building costs, ease of building and running costs, the footy has had over 400 built, and one even with a wing sail!
For more information, please visit: http://footy.rcsailing.net/index.php
For photos, please see: http://footy.rcsailing.net/gallery.php
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Laser 5000
Today, we have a pioneering, yet simple idea for a dinghy.
This, being the laser 5000. This boat, was the first boat to be designed with adjustable racks, and so, it could be sailed by a wider range of weights as crews then most classes.
This idea, was soon picked up, and since then a number of boats with adjustable racks have been designed, most notably, the RS800, RS600 (and the RS600FF - same hull shape as the RS600, yet it has hydrofoils), laser 4000 and RS700.
Designed in the 1990's by Phil Morrison, it went (in 1996) to the ISAF trials to become an olympic class, although it lost out to the 49er.
With a handicap of 846 it is very quick, especially with a sail area of 20.8 square metres, and a 33 square metre spinnaker, the laser 5000, was a big hit, with over 5000 having been built.
For more information, please visit: http://laser5000.org
And for pictures, please see: http://laser5000.org/gallery-4/rutland-2007/
This, being the laser 5000. This boat, was the first boat to be designed with adjustable racks, and so, it could be sailed by a wider range of weights as crews then most classes.
This idea, was soon picked up, and since then a number of boats with adjustable racks have been designed, most notably, the RS800, RS600 (and the RS600FF - same hull shape as the RS600, yet it has hydrofoils), laser 4000 and RS700.
Designed in the 1990's by Phil Morrison, it went (in 1996) to the ISAF trials to become an olympic class, although it lost out to the 49er.
With a handicap of 846 it is very quick, especially with a sail area of 20.8 square metres, and a 33 square metre spinnaker, the laser 5000, was a big hit, with over 5000 having been built.
For more information, please visit: http://laser5000.org
And for pictures, please see: http://laser5000.org/gallery-4/rutland-2007/
Monday 20 May 2013
420
The 420, is a monohull planing dinghy with a crew of 2 and a trapeze with spinnaker. The boat, is named due to the length (4.2m), and has a handicap of 1087, so isn't far off the speed of a laser. Designed in 1959, it is a very popular youth class, with over 50,000 having been built. It was designed to be an easier to handle, version of a 470 - designed by the same person (Christian Maury), and from what I have heard, is a nice boat to sail. The class rules allow some development to take place, yet it is kept slow enough so, to not render relatively old boats useless on the racing scene.
It has a sail area of 13 square metres upwind, and a spinnaker of 10 square metres. The boat, is a good boat for an introduction to trapezing, and use of a symmetric spinnaker. And as a result has been made an ISAF youth class.
The boat, is great in high winds, and in several handicap events over the winter, 420's have been the winning boat - due to the heavy weather.
For more information, please visits: http://www.420sailing.org.uk
And for photos: http://www.420sailing.org.uk/PhotoGall.php?Action=DispCat&SessionCRC=-1501031262&PCatID=293&PCatCRC=1408000949
It has a sail area of 13 square metres upwind, and a spinnaker of 10 square metres. The boat, is a good boat for an introduction to trapezing, and use of a symmetric spinnaker. And as a result has been made an ISAF youth class.
The boat, is great in high winds, and in several handicap events over the winter, 420's have been the winning boat - due to the heavy weather.
For more information, please visits: http://www.420sailing.org.uk
And for photos: http://www.420sailing.org.uk/PhotoGall.php?Action=DispCat&SessionCRC=-1501031262&PCatID=293&PCatCRC=1408000949
Sunday 19 May 2013
UK Cherub (2005 rules)
The UK cherub.
A fast planing monohull dinghy, twin trapeze, and with handicap of around 930. The class was first started in 1951, as a development class, however since then it has had a number of rule changes. And today, we are focussing on the 2005 rules boats.
They are 12' long, and the modern rules boats have an upwind sail area of around 15.5 square metres, and an asymmetric spinnaker of 21 square metres, the boats are very quick downwind, yet upwind can be relatively slow compared to some longer boats. And the hulls are very light, weighing just 50kg, this means the cherub can be a great ride. The sail area (also) isn't too big, so has attracted a lot of young people to the class, and as a result, it isn't uncommon to see parent/child, brother/sister, boyfriend/girlfriend crews. And most notably, at a recent nationals, (at Pwllheli), there were a lot of crews like this.
From what I have heard, the cherub, is a fun boat, and a few boats have even been used as 12' skiffs, such as 'suicide blonde'.
For more information (and pictures) please visit: http://www.uk-cherub.org/doku.php/start?purge=true
A fast planing monohull dinghy, twin trapeze, and with handicap of around 930. The class was first started in 1951, as a development class, however since then it has had a number of rule changes. And today, we are focussing on the 2005 rules boats.
They are 12' long, and the modern rules boats have an upwind sail area of around 15.5 square metres, and an asymmetric spinnaker of 21 square metres, the boats are very quick downwind, yet upwind can be relatively slow compared to some longer boats. And the hulls are very light, weighing just 50kg, this means the cherub can be a great ride. The sail area (also) isn't too big, so has attracted a lot of young people to the class, and as a result, it isn't uncommon to see parent/child, brother/sister, boyfriend/girlfriend crews. And most notably, at a recent nationals, (at Pwllheli), there were a lot of crews like this.
From what I have heard, the cherub, is a fun boat, and a few boats have even been used as 12' skiffs, such as 'suicide blonde'.
For more information (and pictures) please visit: http://www.uk-cherub.org/doku.php/start?purge=true
Saturday 18 May 2013
The Fireball
Designed in 1962 by Peter Milne, the fireball, is a lovely smooth boat to sail. With 13.3 square metres of sail area (upwind), and a 13 square metre spinnaker, it is a well balanced machine, and sails well. Because of this, it is a good boat to learn how to trapeze on, and has even been singlehanded, to teach how to trapeze on the helm.
The modern wide-bowed boats are the fastest, giving a handicap of 980, which used to be only achievable in heavy weather, and the fireball can now get planning sooner.
Winder are currently the maker of the fastest fireballs, with severn sailboats not far behind.
The fireball is a fun boat, has lovely smooth sailing characteristics, and is nice and balanced. It was also pioneering, the design based on large scows sailed in Canada, the boat is one of the few boats which popularised the scow shape more around the globe. And, due to the sailing characteristics, it is a popular boat, with over 15000 having been built.
With a hull weight of 79 kilos, it is nice and easy to manoeuvre on land, especially with the help of a crew. And the versatility of a spinnaker, trapeze, and the possibility of sailing (under a force 3) singlehanded, it is a good boat, and has been well designed.
For pictures, please see: http://fireballsailing.org.uk/gallery/gallery.php
And for more information: http://fireballsailing.org.uk/index.php
The modern wide-bowed boats are the fastest, giving a handicap of 980, which used to be only achievable in heavy weather, and the fireball can now get planning sooner.
Winder are currently the maker of the fastest fireballs, with severn sailboats not far behind.
The fireball is a fun boat, has lovely smooth sailing characteristics, and is nice and balanced. It was also pioneering, the design based on large scows sailed in Canada, the boat is one of the few boats which popularised the scow shape more around the globe. And, due to the sailing characteristics, it is a popular boat, with over 15000 having been built.
With a hull weight of 79 kilos, it is nice and easy to manoeuvre on land, especially with the help of a crew. And the versatility of a spinnaker, trapeze, and the possibility of sailing (under a force 3) singlehanded, it is a good boat, and has been well designed.
For pictures, please see: http://fireballsailing.org.uk/gallery/gallery.php
And for more information: http://fireballsailing.org.uk/index.php
Friday 17 May 2013
An icon?
The laser, being the world's second most popular boat, with sail numbers recently having reached over 200,000 is almost a controversial boat. With many saying how great it is - due to the fantastic fleet racing, yet others saying that it has essentially grown too big for its own good. With this being shown by the recent suing by Bruce Kirby, of Laser Performance, which has led to a name change to the Kirby Torch.
Despite all this, the laser is still a fun boat to sail, and is bound to be found at most sailing clubs around the world. And (of course) is just fantastic for fleet racing. And in the right conditions is a fun ride. But why, other then the reasons for fleet racing, has the laser been such a success.
Well, the laser, when it was first produced, it was a great value, and good introduction to sailing, (an example of this, is that the laser, was the first boat I owned) being pretty fast, and yet at the same time nice and easy to sail and rig. But, if you are an already accomplished sailor, then why go for this. Well, like most boats, the laser is very tricky to sail well, so it does also present its challenges. This is why, I am guessing, the laser has been chosen for the Olympics.
Anyway, now onto some facts, the laser was designed by Bruce, in 1971, and has proved to be a success. The boat is 14' long, and was designed to be an easily car top-able boat. Hence the lightweight hull of just 56 kilos, and with a two piece mast, the laser was an instant hit.
Here are some photos of me sailing my laser - the yellow hull (with the wrong sail numbers) in St Malo, France.
Thursday 16 May 2013
The Mirror
Day 3.
Today, is the world's third most popular boat, with over 70,000 built, it is....yes you've guessed it!
The mirror.
The Mirror was Jack Holt's most favourite design of dinghy, designed in 1962, it was a mixture of Barry Bucknell (a well known DIY expert) and Jack Holt who brought about the mirror. Barry was asked by the BBC, on his show, to build a boat. So, that is exactly what he set about doing. However, his first design wasn't a huge success, so the BBC called on Jack to design a boat for them. Barry's design, was a light hull, with a full bermudan rig, with a high aspect board. This made the boat, too 'racey', and exciting, for the wanted target audience. So, Jack built and designed the mirror, by adding freeboard and rocker, which reduced the boats performance. The mirror was one of the first boats to be built using the 'stitch and glue' technique, which gives a light, yet pretty stiff hull, which made Ken Littledyke's boat building methods popular.
This is what became the mirror.
The Mirror really is the do it all boat. It can be cruised, raced, motored, one or two up, with use of a spinnaker, and just had fun in...
In recent times, a rule change to the class, has had the gaff rig replaced with a bermudan rig, although both the gaff rig and bermudan rig are both still class legal.
It was claimed you could buy the plans or a kit, and build the boat with in 100 hours work, and you were promised, in the end, a boat that would sail well.
But the story doesn't end there.....
Unfortunately, I can't find any pictures of a mirror, so I will give the link to some:
https://plus.google.com/photos/106591734736276159098/albums/5523779178833272209?banner=pwa
And for anymore information on the mirror, please visit: http://www.ukmirrorsailing.com/index.php
Today, is the world's third most popular boat, with over 70,000 built, it is....yes you've guessed it!
The mirror.
The Mirror was Jack Holt's most favourite design of dinghy, designed in 1962, it was a mixture of Barry Bucknell (a well known DIY expert) and Jack Holt who brought about the mirror. Barry was asked by the BBC, on his show, to build a boat. So, that is exactly what he set about doing. However, his first design wasn't a huge success, so the BBC called on Jack to design a boat for them. Barry's design, was a light hull, with a full bermudan rig, with a high aspect board. This made the boat, too 'racey', and exciting, for the wanted target audience. So, Jack built and designed the mirror, by adding freeboard and rocker, which reduced the boats performance. The mirror was one of the first boats to be built using the 'stitch and glue' technique, which gives a light, yet pretty stiff hull, which made Ken Littledyke's boat building methods popular.
This is what became the mirror.
The Mirror really is the do it all boat. It can be cruised, raced, motored, one or two up, with use of a spinnaker, and just had fun in...
In recent times, a rule change to the class, has had the gaff rig replaced with a bermudan rig, although both the gaff rig and bermudan rig are both still class legal.
It was claimed you could buy the plans or a kit, and build the boat with in 100 hours work, and you were promised, in the end, a boat that would sail well.
But the story doesn't end there.....
Unfortunately, I can't find any pictures of a mirror, so I will give the link to some:
https://plus.google.com/photos/106591734736276159098/albums/5523779178833272209?banner=pwa
And for anymore information on the mirror, please visit: http://www.ukmirrorsailing.com/index.php
Wednesday 15 May 2013
Day 2
The 505.
In 1953, the beginnings of the 505 were being dreamt up by John Westell. The idea, started with the 18' coronet, but it wasn't until 1954 when John Westell, was told by the Caneton Association of France, to redesign the boat, and so dramatic changes were made, and this made the 5.05m (16'6") boat (hence the name). The 505, despite the fact I have never actually sailed one, I have heard that it is such blend of controls, rig design, and the iconic flared sides the 505; is a very well balanced boat, and is fast as well, with a powerful rig, and planing hull shape, thus, it's handicap is 902, so is very quick. So, it is no wonder why the 505 has fallen in the hearts of those who sail it, and no wonder as to why the sail number has recently gone over 9000.
The 505, is a great heavy weather boat, as you can see in the photo, which shows how well balanced and well designed the boat is. With 14 square metres of upwind sail, and 26 square metres of spinnaker, the 505 is a powerful boat, with a fast planing hull shape, it can reach exhilarating speeds.
Again, I look forward to revealing tomorrow's boat. And I look forward to discussing more designs in the future.
Many thanks, to David Henshall, for the photo.
In 1953, the beginnings of the 505 were being dreamt up by John Westell. The idea, started with the 18' coronet, but it wasn't until 1954 when John Westell, was told by the Caneton Association of France, to redesign the boat, and so dramatic changes were made, and this made the 5.05m (16'6") boat (hence the name). The 505, despite the fact I have never actually sailed one, I have heard that it is such blend of controls, rig design, and the iconic flared sides the 505; is a very well balanced boat, and is fast as well, with a powerful rig, and planing hull shape, thus, it's handicap is 902, so is very quick. So, it is no wonder why the 505 has fallen in the hearts of those who sail it, and no wonder as to why the sail number has recently gone over 9000.
The 505, is a great heavy weather boat, as you can see in the photo, which shows how well balanced and well designed the boat is. With 14 square metres of upwind sail, and 26 square metres of spinnaker, the 505 is a powerful boat, with a fast planing hull shape, it can reach exhilarating speeds.
Again, I look forward to revealing tomorrow's boat. And I look forward to discussing more designs in the future.
Many thanks, to David Henshall, for the photo.
Tuesday 14 May 2013
The first day....
For those who know me, it will be of little surprise as to what is the first dinghy on this list, and of course it is the ICOD. I haven't chosen the AC, due to the fact the ICOD is the boat that (having watched many videos on youtube), inspired me to sail an international canoe.
The first IC's appeared around the 1860's (or there about), and since then a lot of development has taken place. The current ICOD's have a handicap of around 905, so they are very quick, and designed by Peter Nethercott (around 1969?), it is (despite the age of the design) still a great ride, and has set the design for all current AC's (but this story if for another day). In recent times, the IC has taken a new path with development canoe's, like the pre-nerthercott boats (but again, this is for a different day), and there are even talks of putting spinnakers on these boats, like Andy Patterson's XC.
The racing circuit of the IC's also has the worlds second oldest, still going strong, race. This of course being the New York Cup, which is raced with three boats from the defending country, and three from the challenging country. And this race is unusual, in the way that the first boat to cross the line is the winner. It is held at every world championships.
So, thanks for reading, and I look forward to discussing more boat designs with you in the near future.
Unfortunately I have no pictures of an ICOD (as I currently sail an AC), but in the mean time, I will post a link to them, although, here is a picture of me on the sliding seat hiking out, so you get a picture of what an IC looks like from the centre of the boat. Of course, this is an AC, but it has the same hull shape.
Here are some pictures of an ICOD: http://www.intcanoe.org.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=2
For more information on the international canoe, please visit www.intcanoe.org
The first IC's appeared around the 1860's (or there about), and since then a lot of development has taken place. The current ICOD's have a handicap of around 905, so they are very quick, and designed by Peter Nethercott (around 1969?), it is (despite the age of the design) still a great ride, and has set the design for all current AC's (but this story if for another day). In recent times, the IC has taken a new path with development canoe's, like the pre-nerthercott boats (but again, this is for a different day), and there are even talks of putting spinnakers on these boats, like Andy Patterson's XC.
The racing circuit of the IC's also has the worlds second oldest, still going strong, race. This of course being the New York Cup, which is raced with three boats from the defending country, and three from the challenging country. And this race is unusual, in the way that the first boat to cross the line is the winner. It is held at every world championships.
So, thanks for reading, and I look forward to discussing more boat designs with you in the near future.
Unfortunately I have no pictures of an ICOD (as I currently sail an AC), but in the mean time, I will post a link to them, although, here is a picture of me on the sliding seat hiking out, so you get a picture of what an IC looks like from the centre of the boat. Of course, this is an AC, but it has the same hull shape.
For more information on the international canoe, please visit www.intcanoe.org
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