The Viper 640 is a high-performance one-design sport boat. At 21 feet long and only 735 lbs, it combines the stiffness of a keelboat with the acceleration and planning abilities of a dinghy.
The design mandate was “Simple, Clean and Effective”. The Viper has a precise and exhilarating feel on the helm, a spacious cockpit for 3 people, strict one-design class rules and ease of launching by ramp or hoist.
Check out Sail1Design’s One-Design Class Profile on the Viper 640!
Class website:
http://www.viper640.org/
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Flying Junior
The “Flying Dutchman Junior” was originally designed, in Holland, by Van Essen, a well-known Dutch boat designer. Listed as codesigner was Conrad Gulcher, Dutch Olympic sailor. (Gulcher and Van Essen also collaborated on the Flying Dutchman Conrad Gulcher served as International Class Secretary for both classes for many years, and was a main driving force behind both the International Flying Dutchman, and International (FJ) Flying Junior classes until his death in 1989.
The first FJ was built of coldmolded wood, and was tested on the water in December, 1995.
The original purpose of the “Flying Dutchman Junior” was to serve as a junior trainer for the then new Olympic Flying Dutchman (FD). The FD is a much larger( 19’10”), faster, and more physical class than its younger sister. The FJ rules also allowed (and still allow) many of the same technical innovations as the FD, and the boat was (and still is) ideal to teach newer sailors the intricacies of tuning, mast rake and bend, etc. so important to top-level competitive sailing.
The Class’ name was quickly changed to “Flying Junior” as the class developed on its own, and the Flying Junior Class Organisation was free and independent of the Flying Dutchman organisation by about 1960.
FJ Gets IYRU International Class Status
By the early 1970’s, the Flying Junior was accorded the status of an International Class by the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU)- pre-cursor to the ISAF.
This prestigious status is applied only to sailing classes with strict one-design rules, that are sailed the world over, and that regularly have international competition- such as World and Continental Championships. The International Sailing Association (ISAF) (replacement organisation for the IYRU) currently governs the Class Rules of the International FJ Class. As an International Class, rights and control of the boat design rest with the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).
Today (2000), the International FJ is sailed in Japan, Germany, Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, and the USA.
The Class Rules of the FJ allow any deck design; Dusseldorp FJs utilised a doublebottom design, especially suited to open-water sailing. Note the open transom, allowing large amounts of water to escape almost as fast as it can enter the hull. These hulls were the fastest FJs for at least the first 15 years of the Class’ existence. They are still competitive today.
From the beginning, the Class Rules of the FJ allowed any individual, or company to build the boat.
Class Rules Evolution- a summary of major revisions made to the Class Rules
- Early 1960’s, the Class Rules were modified to lengthen the mast, providing more speed, and clearance under the boom.
- Early 1970’s, the Flying Junior became the International Flying Junior. Accordingly, FJs built since 1972 must carry the IYRU “Builder Fee Paid” metal plaque permanently affixed in the cockpit, signifying that the IYRU royalty has been paid. These fees are the only source of income for the International Class.
- In 1980, recognizing that the name “Junior” did not accurately describe the current usage of the boat, the International Class changed the name to “International FJ”. 1980’s included a larger spinnaker (from 80 sq. ft. to about 88) and allowed shape cut into the sail (the original spinnaker rules required it to be two flat planes of cloth). Under the new rules, the bigger size, plus spherical cutting of spinnakers give a much faster sail.
- In 1990, the International Class added the trapeze for the crew, (added for the U.S. class in 1994). Officially, the crew must be at least 12 years of age to use the trapeze.
Under consideration, as of 1/1/00:a larger spinnaker, slightly larger main.
Class website:
http://www.cfjclass.org/
Flying Dutchman
It was in the late 40’s that the IYRU (now ISAF) instigated a new modern 2-man international dinghy, the Tornado. She was not a success as there was no leap forward compared to the existing pre-war classes.
The Royal Loosdrecht Yacht Club, Conrad Gulcher’s club, obtained half a dozen Tornados and found them very uninspiring to say the least! Conrad had always been very interested in dinghy sailing and had collected any documentation connected with it. Pre-war he had enjoyed some international sailing in Germany and the UK and he had made many friends in the dinghy sailing scene. He imagined that with modern construction methods, moulded ply, a better boat could be constructed.
Being an Insurance Broker and not a designer he enlisted the help of Uus Van Essen, a naval architect and measurer for the Dutch Yacht Federation. They made a preliminary design and early in September 1951 it was sent to 30 top class helmsmen in Europe including Bossom (Z – SUI), John Cahmier (K -GBR), Charles Curry (K – GBR), Manfried Curry (G – GER), Ferry Laagwater (H – NED),Stewart Morris (K – GBR), Morits Skaugen (N – NOR) and Shorty Trimingham (KZB – BER), with the request to comment within two weeks.
The measurements were similar to the 15m2 Wanderjolle of mid-European lakes and popular Flying Fifteen. By the end of September 23 responses had been returned with sufficient new and sound ideas to redesign the boat.
Mr. Loeff, chairman of the CBC, was prepared to discuss the boat at the November meeting of the IYRU, only when he had seen her sail! This was hardly feasible but Conrad had the mould and hull built in one week and the boat finished in another! Complete with the Tornado rig it took to the water against the 12m2 Sharpie and Tornado at Loosdrecht one week before the IYRU meetings and Mr Loeff took the plans to the IYRU for discussion.
Then it was decided to hold trials in the summer of 1952 in Holland and the name the “Flying Dutchman” was born, suggested by Sir Peter Scott, the then president of the IYRU.
The trials were held on the Loodrecht lakes and on the open water of the Zuiderzee at Muiden. 17 boats participated, some especially designed like the Osprey and Typhoon, others were existing classes including Hornet, Caneton, Thistle, Sharpie, Rennjolle etc.
The results were clear and the FD was adopted however with the limitation “for continental lakes only” and another set of trials was set up for 1953 at La Baule on the open sea.
In the mean time the small job was replaced with the Genoa and a trapeze was added.
At La Baule there were again specially designed boats such as the Coronet, a smaller version of which later became the 505. Off the wind the Coronet with her bigger spinnaker and mainsail was faster (this is not just a recent problem!) but on the wind the FD won.
It was clear that the FD did very well on the open sea and the “lakes” limitation was lifted. The Class started to blossom thanks to the promotional activities of Conrad through the Bulletin and a well structured Class Organisation.
By the 60’s there were fleets in all sorts of places such as the Lebanon, 25 in Morocco, 20 in Portuguese East Africa, Argentina, Venezuela, Thailand, apart from those in Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
In 1956 the FD participated (Conrad and Bob Boeschoten) in the cross- channel race from Folkestone to Boulogne and was the fastest two-man dinghy in the race!
In 1957 the FD was selected to replace the Sharpie at the 1960 Olympic Games in Naples. In 1959 The Class President Slotty Dawes was presented a cup for the FD Week. The Week, with its unlimited number of boats were allowed from each country, this proved very successful. The Week was very competitive whilst remaining friendly, competitors lent each other sails! (no equipment limitation in those days!) and was well supported, in 1965 126 boats from 24 nations took part.
The FD rules were tailored to have one design speed factors i.e. hull shape and weight, foil shapes and sails restricted and the rest left open to encourage development. As new ideas have evolved they have often been taken up by other classes e.g. trapeze, spinnaker chute, double floor construction, windows in sails and numerous developments in fittings and even personal sail numbers.
The one design was guaranteed by the very simple, and consequently cheap and easily repeatable measurement system defined by Uss van Essen and born of his experiences as professional KNWV measurer.
Many well known yachtsman have had a spell in the FD for example Mark Bethwaite, the Diesch brothers, Paul Elvstrom, Hans Foch, Ben Lexcen, Cam Lewis, Peder Lunde, Stewart Morris, Keith Musto, Andre Nelis, Yves and Marc Pajot, Rodney Pattison, Ralph Roberts, Bruno Trouble, Ted Turner, Mike Macnamara, John Loveday, Jo Richards, Roger Yeoman, Will Henderson, Peter White, Pat Blake, Jon Turner and David Wilkins to name but a few.
Following the loss of Olympic status soon after the 1992 Olympics, the “Olympic circuit” regattas ceased to be available to FD sailors and there was a decline in the amount of international competitive sailing. However the FD became a realistic option for those without Olympic ambitions and numbers at World and European Championships when held in Europe remain high. At the 1995 FD worlds, 123 FDs raced from the same start line on Lake Garda, a stunning spectacle.
Class website:
http://www.sailingsource.com/sailfd/
Martin 242
The M242 is a 24-foot, high performance, family-oriented day racer and weekender. Over 250 have been built since 1981, and there are large fleets on the West Coast of Canada and the U.S. The M242 Class is unique in that it has very rigid class rules to control expense and ensure even competition.
The total sail inventory consists of a main, jib and spinnaker. The roller-furling jib dramatically simplifies boat handling and encourages family crews.
They are currently being built by MG Marine, Inc 310-645-0196,
class website (fleet 1)
http://www.m242.bc.ca/
Olson 25
The Olson 25 was designed in 1984 by George Olson as a dry-sailable sport boat. A cross between the radical Olson 30 ultralight and the traditional designs of the day, the Olson 25 can perform better than cruising boats much larger, and yet is capable of comfortable family weekending. Manufactured by Pacific Boats and Ericson Yachts there were approximately 130 built.
The 2007 Olson 25 One Design season gets underway over the April 13/14th weekend with the four race “Resin Regatta” sponsored by the San Francisco Yacht Club. Twelve boats are expected to compete in this invitation only series.
Class website:
http://www.olson25.org/
Buccaneer 18
Designed in 1966 by Rod Macalpine-Downie and Dick Gibbs, the Buccaneer incorporates classic elements that have made this racing dinghy a consistent performer for more than 35 years.
Due to its hull design, the Buccaneer planes in 8-10 knots of wind. An integrated spinnaker launch tube, roller furling jib, and well-constructed sail plan, 7’3″ cockpit with non-skid seats, deck and floor make it a good two-handed racing dinghy. Well balanced and easily handled, the Buccaneer continues to appeal to both seasoned competitors and new sailors.
Weighing 500 pounds, the Buccaneer requires a trailer and winch to be launched. A comfortable cockpit arrangement and simple rigging round out the Buccaneer’s design, make it a good day sailor for the family.
Class website:
http://buccaneer18.org
