There are many classes of sailing dinghy sailed at Haversham and below you will find a brief description of some of the more popular classes.
Supernova
The Supernova dinghy was born in 1996 from a collaboration between Frank Puranik, then Lightning 368 Class Chairman, and Mark Giles, the Lightning designer. The Supernova suits sailors weighing 60-95kg, and adapts easily to varying wind strengths. The hull volume and shape make a stable platform for the rig, with little tendency to bury the bow or to gripe to windward. https://www.supernovadinghy.org/boats |
RS AERO
The RS Aero is a modern, ultra-lightweight single-handed dinghy renowned for its exceptional performance, simplicity, and advanced construction. Weighing only 30-33kg, it is easily handled, transported, and rigged. Featuring a carbon fibre mast and boom, it offers four interchangeable rig sizes (5, 6, 7, 9 m2m squared 𝑚2) for diverse sailor weights, making it a popular, high-performance one-design racing class worldwide. https://www.rsaerosailing.org/index.asp?p=the%20RS%20Aero |
ILCA
Originally known as the Laser, the ILCA dinghy is a single-handed racing dinghy. The biggest attraction of the ILCA dinghy is that it is protected by strict one-design class rules, which means that no changes are allowed to the boat unless they are specifically permitted in the rules. The result is that all ILCA boats are virtually identical, whether they are brand-new or 10 years old, making it the sailor that wins the race – not the boat. https://ilcasailing.org/ |
RS200
The RS200 is a highly popular 4.0-meter (13 ft) double-handed, hiking racing dinghy designed by Phil Morrison and launched in 1995. It is widely regarded as a premier class for mixed-sex crews, couples, and youth sailors due to its manageable power, responsive handling, and strict one-design rules. It features an asymmetric spinnaker and is often cited for its friendly, yet highly competitive, racing circuit. https://www.rs200sailing.org/index.asp?fleet=RS200 |
Merlin Rocket
The Merlin Rocket is a 14ft (4.27m) two-person, restricted development racing dinghy featuring a, wide, high-performance hull, and a large, modern sail plan with a symmetrical spinnaker. Primarily sailed in the UK, this hiking-only boat combines technical, sophisticated rig controls with high speed, making it popular for both inland river, and competitive sea racing. https://www.merlinrocket.co.uk/ |
Hartley Gull
The Hartley Gull is an 11-foot (3.35m) versatile, stable, and easy-to-handle sailing dinghy designed by Ian Proctor and modernized by Phil Morrison for Hartley Boats. Ideal for training, beginners, and families, it accommodates up to four people, features a chined hull for stability in big seas, and is available in durable GRP construction. https://www.hartleyboats.com/index.asp?p=class-detail&cid=3 |
RS300
The RS300 is fast, responsive and challenging. A definitive boat with almost a cult status, it has masses of innovative design features to improve handling and performance and has won accolades ever since the day it was launched back in 1998. Revolutionary in its time, the RS300s features mean that it’s still a weapon on the water decades on. Narrow waterline and fine entry provide easily driven acceleration and speed whilst the flared topsides give leverage and reserve stability. If you want a fast yet tactical boat, with a fiercely friendly Class Association to compliment it – then the RS300 is a perfect choice. https://www.rs300.org/ |
RS Feva
The world’s leading double handed dinghy for youngsters and parent / child teams. An International Class with events around the globe, the RS Feva is fast-growing in most developed sailing nations and expanding into others every year. Chosen by families, clubs and National Authorities to build the pathway to a lifetime in sailing – the RS Feva offers a double-handed alternative and a stepping stone at the crucial time in sailing lives. Exciting performance is the secret behind the success. https://www.rsfeva.org.uk/ |
Laser Vago
The Laser Vago is a versatile, 4.2-meter rotomolded polyethylene dinghy designed by Jo Richards for intermediate, single, or double-handed sailing. It features an asymmetric spinnaker, trapeze, reefable mainsail, and a high boom, making it a durable, low-maintenance, and fast planing boat suitable for both training and racing. https://vagoclassassociation.wordpress.com/ |
Blaze
The Blaze offers significantly high performance while at the same time remaining simple to sail. The boat brings together high speed and crisp handling in a powerful, easily driven hull; a fine entry flares into wide planing sections aft for maximum stability and blistering off-wind performance. And all from the security of a really comfortable cockpit. https://www.blaze-sailing.org/ |
Fireball The International Fireball is a 16-foot (4.94m), two-person, high-performance racing dinghy featuring a single trapeze, symmetric spinnaker, and hard-chine hull. Designed in 1962, it is known for being fast, stable, and versatile in both heavy and light winds, suitable for competitive racing and accessible for all ages. https://www.fireballsailing.org.uk/ |
Wayfarer
The Wayfarer dinghy was designed by Ian Proctor in 1957 and in the subsequent 60+ years has acquired an unrivalled reputation as a tough and seaworthy cruising dinghy, yet at the same time being responsive and rewarding to race. The UK Wayfarer Association was founded a year later, in 1958. There is probably no other centreboard boat in the world which combines these qualities as happily; it is this great versatility that makes her so outstanding as a racing and cruising boat. Since the Wayfarer was originally designed there have been improvements in materials and production techniques which have lead to a variety of different versions all sharing the same hull shape and sail plan. https://wayfarer.org.uk/ |
RS600
The RS600 is a high-performance, single-handed, trapeze racing dinghy featuring an epoxy foam sandwich hull, carbon mast, and a powerful, modern, square-top mainsail with reefing capabilities. Designed by Clive Everest, this 14.67-foot skiff is known for being lightweight (52kg), fast, and responsive, with aluminium racks to aid hiking. https://www.rs600.org/index.asp?fleet=RS600 |
Laser Pico
The Laser Pico is a popular, durable, and stable 3.59m rotomoulded polyethylene sailing dinghy, designed for beginners, families, and training. It features a simple-to-rig design, high boom, and can be sailed single-handed or with two people. It is widely used in sailing schools, features a main sail and an optional jib, and is known for its durability, requiring minimal maintenance. |
Topper
The Topper is a popular 3.4m, 43kg single-handed, injection-moulded polypropylene dinghy designed by Ian Proctor for, racing and training. Known for its durability, simplicity, and high-performance, it features a hard-chine hull and is used by all ages, particularly youths. It offers three rig sizes: 4.2 (entry-level), 5.3 (standard), and 6.4. https://www.itca-gbr.co.uk/ |
Wanderer
The Wanderer is a 14ft (4.3m) fiberglass dinghy. It was designed by Ian Proctor in August 1978. Ian’s principal objective was to introduce a robust, safe and versatile dinghy which was relatively easy for two people to launch and recover. The Wanderer has main and jib sails and can also be fitted with a spinnaker. Reefing of the main sail is by slab reefing; the jib can also be fitted with a roller furling system. The design allows for the fitting of an outboard engine of up to 3.3 hp. It quickly established itself as a popular racing and cruising class, thanks to the initiative and hard work of the Class Owners’ Association under the chairmanship of Andy Peter and the enthusiasm generated by the Wanderer magazine edited by Philip Meadowcroft. www.wanderer.org.uk/ |
