Well, not quite, after all that is the Howth 17 Footer, but todays boat, is perhaps one of the most popular one design keelboats of its type (an old style classic racing keelboat) of course being, the XOD.
The class was formed in 1911, after a Alfred Westmacott, a boat builder in the Isle of White. And the class started gaining momentum, with 10 boats having been built before the outbreak of World War I, and by World War II 81 boats had been built. By this time, the XOD had almost sealed as a success, but with the outbreak of war, nothing was certain.
It wasn't until 1946, when building resumed after the war, that it resumed its successful past, and in 1946, a Yarmouth (IOW) division of the class started however this was stopped, and not resumed until 2008.
Over the years, the hull shape has remained entirely unchanged, however to keep with times changing, the class also allowed for change in the construction of the XOD.
Now, with over 140 boats racing, you can see why it would attract newcomers to the class. To illustrate my point, all you have to do is look at the event in 'Cowes Week', set aside for the XOD's.
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
Saturday, 16 November 2013
The Minisail (all types)
Todays boat is an interesting one, and if it wasn't for the minisail, essentially there would be nothing to remember the Sailfish and hence (until recently) something to rival the Sunfish, on this side of the Atlantic.
It all started in 1959, when Ian Proctor visited America, as a reporter for the America's Cup, at the time, an saw what was the Sailfish, as a result, he thought it was such a good idea, spent the next few years designing the Minisail, a beach boat on this side of the Atlantic. It was first built by a number of builders, specifically Chippendale, Bossoms Boatyard, and Plycraft, and eventually this turned into the class we had in the early 1960's. It was later in 1963 when most boats were built of fibreglass, and by this time Chippendale and Bossoms Boatyard, had dropped out of construction for the Minisail.
Later the class really started forming, and quite a few boats were produced. However, the Minisal, slowly but surely died a death, but one which was temporary!
It wasn't until the formation, of the CVRDA and various other organisations, such as the minisail class association, and the hardwork of Rupert Whelan and Ronny D G (who built a new minisail in plywood) that the class has started growing again.
Now often with events run coexisting with the current CVRDA events, the Minisail is slowly becoming the success it once was. And providing a very good, cheap entry into, not just sailing, but also the CVRDA and Minisail class.
The Minisail, comes in a variety of different forms, the Minisail, are the main types, gets split into the Monaco, Sprite, Sprint, and Meson. Each of which have different versions, all updating each other (apart from, it would seem - the Meson).
So, the Minisail is one of the few beach boats found on this side of the Atlantic (not forgetting the Beachcomber and Aquabat), which reached a relative popularity, in the hay-day of sailing. And is one of the few examples like the Sunfish, on this side of the atlantic.
It all started in 1959, when Ian Proctor visited America, as a reporter for the America's Cup, at the time, an saw what was the Sailfish, as a result, he thought it was such a good idea, spent the next few years designing the Minisail, a beach boat on this side of the Atlantic. It was first built by a number of builders, specifically Chippendale, Bossoms Boatyard, and Plycraft, and eventually this turned into the class we had in the early 1960's. It was later in 1963 when most boats were built of fibreglass, and by this time Chippendale and Bossoms Boatyard, had dropped out of construction for the Minisail.
Later the class really started forming, and quite a few boats were produced. However, the Minisal, slowly but surely died a death, but one which was temporary!
It wasn't until the formation, of the CVRDA and various other organisations, such as the minisail class association, and the hardwork of Rupert Whelan and Ronny D G (who built a new minisail in plywood) that the class has started growing again.
Now often with events run coexisting with the current CVRDA events, the Minisail is slowly becoming the success it once was. And providing a very good, cheap entry into, not just sailing, but also the CVRDA and Minisail class.
The Minisail, comes in a variety of different forms, the Minisail, are the main types, gets split into the Monaco, Sprite, Sprint, and Meson. Each of which have different versions, all updating each other (apart from, it would seem - the Meson).
So, the Minisail is one of the few beach boats found on this side of the Atlantic (not forgetting the Beachcomber and Aquabat), which reached a relative popularity, in the hay-day of sailing. And is one of the few examples like the Sunfish, on this side of the atlantic.
Wednesday, 13 November 2013
Laser Pico
Okay, todays boat, might not, shall we say; have the nicest of sailing characteristics, be the fastest, and with its roto-mould plastic construction, the nicest to look at.
However the Laser Pico does serve a very good purpose, and that, is, of course getting people into sailing, in more ways than one, it might be someone first boat, it might be a boat someone learnt in, or even one someone has learnt to crew in. I mean, the fact is, if you have learnt to sail in a Laser Pico, you have started a new sport, and one which will hopefully keep you enjoying yourself for a lifetime.
However you started, though, it would certainly be good and healthy for the sport if you continued sailing, in any form you could (only if you enjoy it, of course!), and that of course include the Laser Pico.
So, why have I chosen to document a boat like this, on the calendar? Well, as I say, it is a great boat for unlocking beginnings, and hopefully ones which will last a lifetime.
Onto the facts - the Laser Pico, was originally designed to be a boat for all - easy to sail, rig, singlehanded, double handed, for someone of any age. However, what the Laser Pico lacks is that extra dimension, to move onto that next stage in your sailing career, move onto something with that little bit more quality in sailing characteristics, bigger fleets perhaps, and maybe on to competitive racing. However, for all the Laser Pico lacks, it easily makes up for in opening new chapters in peoples lives. Just count the number of club boats in a boat park at a typical club, the chances are, a few of them will probably be Laser Pico's.
The Laser Pico, is certainly no mirror, in bringing people into the sport, but nevertheless is still a good boat for learning the basics, and a lot of fun can be had out of one.
With a PN of 1260, or 1265 (depending on the size of your crew) and designed in the mid 1990's the Laser Pico, has now sold over 10,000 boats, and will hopefully continue to bring more people into the sport we so love, and enjoy.
The ideas behind the Laser Pico, were really to keep it simple, and that is something it does do very well, hence why it is just so easy to go out and sail.
However the Laser Pico does serve a very good purpose, and that, is, of course getting people into sailing, in more ways than one, it might be someone first boat, it might be a boat someone learnt in, or even one someone has learnt to crew in. I mean, the fact is, if you have learnt to sail in a Laser Pico, you have started a new sport, and one which will hopefully keep you enjoying yourself for a lifetime.
However you started, though, it would certainly be good and healthy for the sport if you continued sailing, in any form you could (only if you enjoy it, of course!), and that of course include the Laser Pico.
So, why have I chosen to document a boat like this, on the calendar? Well, as I say, it is a great boat for unlocking beginnings, and hopefully ones which will last a lifetime.
Onto the facts - the Laser Pico, was originally designed to be a boat for all - easy to sail, rig, singlehanded, double handed, for someone of any age. However, what the Laser Pico lacks is that extra dimension, to move onto that next stage in your sailing career, move onto something with that little bit more quality in sailing characteristics, bigger fleets perhaps, and maybe on to competitive racing. However, for all the Laser Pico lacks, it easily makes up for in opening new chapters in peoples lives. Just count the number of club boats in a boat park at a typical club, the chances are, a few of them will probably be Laser Pico's.
The Laser Pico, is certainly no mirror, in bringing people into the sport, but nevertheless is still a good boat for learning the basics, and a lot of fun can be had out of one.
With a PN of 1260, or 1265 (depending on the size of your crew) and designed in the mid 1990's the Laser Pico, has now sold over 10,000 boats, and will hopefully continue to bring more people into the sport we so love, and enjoy.
The ideas behind the Laser Pico, were really to keep it simple, and that is something it does do very well, hence why it is just so easy to go out and sail.
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
12' Skiff
Today's boat is an interesting one, the class, starting around the same time as most of the other skiffs (6', 8', 12', 14', 16' and 18') the 12 footer has also had another similar form within the class's history, and this is of course the R-Class skiff. This, I suppose to go along with foiling, which at the moment, some UK Cherubs, seem to be doing something very similar.
Anyway, back to the 12' skiff.
Started at some point in the late 1800's, the 18' skiff was originally crewed by about 5 people, and was typically sailed, where you mostly see the 18's today; Sydney Harbour. In 1924, the 12' skiff class was formed, and overtime, there boat slowly lost the amount of people within the crew of each boat - i.e. in the 1940's it became crewed by three people, and eventually became a double hander, as we all know it today.
Mainly sailed in Australia and New Zealand, the 12' skiff is slowly gaining popularity elsewhere, including the UK, with one of the first official 12' skiffs being 'Suicide Blonde', built as a UK Cherub, but converted to a 12' skiff, by simply adding more sail area, and a second trapeze (as at the time, it was a '97 rules boat), it was successful on the UK circuit.
With the ability to reach blistering speeds, thanks to the way it is very over canvassed for the size of the hull, the modern 12' skiff has very twitchy handling, hence is tricky to sail.
Anyway, back to the 12' skiff.
Started at some point in the late 1800's, the 18' skiff was originally crewed by about 5 people, and was typically sailed, where you mostly see the 18's today; Sydney Harbour. In 1924, the 12' skiff class was formed, and overtime, there boat slowly lost the amount of people within the crew of each boat - i.e. in the 1940's it became crewed by three people, and eventually became a double hander, as we all know it today.
Mainly sailed in Australia and New Zealand, the 12' skiff is slowly gaining popularity elsewhere, including the UK, with one of the first official 12' skiffs being 'Suicide Blonde', built as a UK Cherub, but converted to a 12' skiff, by simply adding more sail area, and a second trapeze (as at the time, it was a '97 rules boat), it was successful on the UK circuit.
With the ability to reach blistering speeds, thanks to the way it is very over canvassed for the size of the hull, the modern 12' skiff has very twitchy handling, hence is tricky to sail.
Friday, 26 July 2013
RS800
Yes, you've got it, another one of Phil Morrison's designs. Today's boat, though, is a little different to both the RS400 and RS200, with it being a twin trapeze skiff, being 4.8m long, and with a handicap of 820, it isn't slow either. With a self tacking jib, light sheet loads with adjustable racks, and a carbon mast, make the RS800 suitable to be sailed by a huge weight range, with between 120kg, and up to around 160kg(?) the RS800 is a particularly versatile boat, meaning, almost any weight of crew can sail it.
It is well balanced and well built too, making it a good class to get in to, and with quite a number having been built, make it a good boat for fleet racing.
With a sail area of 16 metres squared (upwind), a spinnaker of 21 metres squared, and an all up sailing weight of 110kg, you can see where the RS800 gets its speed from.
For more information and images, please see: Click here....
It is well balanced and well built too, making it a good class to get in to, and with quite a number having been built, make it a good boat for fleet racing.
With a sail area of 16 metres squared (upwind), a spinnaker of 21 metres squared, and an all up sailing weight of 110kg, you can see where the RS800 gets its speed from.
For more information and images, please see: Click here....
Thursday, 25 July 2013
The RS200
4m long, with a PN of 1057, the RS200, like the RS400 was designed by Phil Morrison, a little like a slightly larger National 12, with a sleek hull, which travels smoothly through the water, and Phil Morrison, being one of the good N12 and Merlin Rocket designer, you can see where he got his ideas.
Designed in 1995, the RS200 has been one of the more popular boats within the RS range, and with a latest sail number of over 1200 it has been a success. Although, the success it has had is not unfounded, after all the RS200, goes well on anything from seas to the smallest pond, and this is aided with the fact it has a swivelling centreboard.
The RS200 is a nice boat to sail, with very smooth sailing characteristics, and a comfortable hiking positiong to go from, much like many N12's.
For more information, please see: Click here...
Designed in 1995, the RS200 has been one of the more popular boats within the RS range, and with a latest sail number of over 1200 it has been a success. Although, the success it has had is not unfounded, after all the RS200, goes well on anything from seas to the smallest pond, and this is aided with the fact it has a swivelling centreboard.
The RS200 is a nice boat to sail, with very smooth sailing characteristics, and a comfortable hiking positiong to go from, much like many N12's.
For more information, please see: Click here...
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
The RS400
Something interesting, about the RS400 is the way it has the ability to adjust the angle of the spinnaker pole, so it can sail deeper angles, something which has also really been utilised on the Alto (a boat which can sail its assymetric on a run).
Designed in 1993 by the well known dingy designer and naval architect Phil Morrison, the RS400, is a well thought out boat, giving good performance with a relatively stable hull shape, although, is by no means, a cruising boat.
With both a fully battened main and jib, the sail plan is particularly powerful, and can provide a lot of thrills. Being 4.52m long, and with a sail area of 14.8 metres squared (upwind) and with a spinnaker area of 14 metres squared the RS400 is a powerful boat, and can reach decent speeds with a handicap of 948, and is suitable for both the larger (not too big though) and small inland lakes and reservoirs, with a decent sized fleet at my local sailing club; Bartley SC.
For more information, on the RS400 (and images) please see: Click here....
Designed in 1993 by the well known dingy designer and naval architect Phil Morrison, the RS400, is a well thought out boat, giving good performance with a relatively stable hull shape, although, is by no means, a cruising boat.
With both a fully battened main and jib, the sail plan is particularly powerful, and can provide a lot of thrills. Being 4.52m long, and with a sail area of 14.8 metres squared (upwind) and with a spinnaker area of 14 metres squared the RS400 is a powerful boat, and can reach decent speeds with a handicap of 948, and is suitable for both the larger (not too big though) and small inland lakes and reservoirs, with a decent sized fleet at my local sailing club; Bartley SC.
For more information, on the RS400 (and images) please see: Click here....
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