The current Front Runner is the PT11. I’ve rather fallen in love with this 11-foot nesting sailing dinghy designed by American naval architect Paul Bieker. It splits into two interlocking halves so would stow nicely on MATILDA’s deck. Once assembled, it becomes a lightweight, planing sailing dinghy.

Although almost all the nooks and crannies of the marine leisure industry are saturated with inventions and gadgets and gizmos, one area seems to be severely lacking in innovation. Small, lightweight, non-inflatable sailing tenders.

So why would one of Australia’s most reputable Museums decide to add to its collection a particular example of these identical, simple, plastic dinghies? It’s because the boat in question was sailed by Australian Matt Wearn

The wind began to howl down from the hills, pummelling the sea into frenzied ripples. “George” had his first taste of front line action holding the tiller down while I lunged forward to disarm the rioting mainsail. The jib strained, I pulled her away and we were away. “Sundance” planed, quickly draining out through the bailer whatever water she’d shipped.

As the techniques developed so did the control lines and on today’s craft, the Patí de Vela ‘skates’ feature an array of control systems that can alter the forestay tension on each tack (the boats have two forestays, one mounted on each hull) to control the bend of the mast and aid direction.

It's a delightfully informal and un-serious get-together where boats and their stories are the main game. That's not to say that the personnel attending aren't serious players. Wayne Parr, Tim Helliwell, Chris Johnson and others from the Wooden Boat Shop are all experienced professional shipwrights who brought their own small vessels.

In 1887, in the waters of Penobscot Bay, Maine, a girl named Ellen beat two fellows named Charles — all racing boats of identical design — and these Dinghies have been competitively sailed each summer ever since.

“We have an opportunity to secure two important boats for our archive of sailing dinghies. They are the Falcons 3 and 4, 12 sq meter Heavyweight Sharpies, one used by Rolly Tasker and Huck Scott to win the silver medal at the 1956 Olympics.”

The first Rainbow to be built in Victoria in close to fifty years was officially launched at the Western Beach Boat Club, itself a hidden treasure tucked away at the western end of the Geelong waterfront. Rainbow class yachts first appealed to youngsters because they could build one themselves, they were fast and thrilling to sail, cheap to build, and safe with good buoyancy compartments.

Under the decks many family members had written personal notes about their favourite AFL team and other notes intended to never see the light of day! Another story goes that the boat was near completion when Max realised, he had run out of materials for the centreboard. No problems for the creative Max and a quick visit to his mother’s (and Stuart’s Grandmother) house in Geelong and the removal of her bedroom door while she was out provided the necessary wood for the centreboard!

Back in the 1980s, Iain pioneered the concept of building traditional boats in epoxy-ply construction. His designs combine sweet lines with a meticulous attention to detail and a delightful drawing style. He achieved a lasting legacy, but always remained modest about his achievements.

If you have a classic dinghy (by the broadest of definitions) you are welcome and you are supported. Some of the boats are spectacular and some them look like they have been dragged of the rafters in the garage for the first time in forty years.

Just in case you enjoyed Part One, a reminder that part two is now out! In this episode they take delivery of a lovely piece of oak and make the keel. They also make the stem and put all together on the strongback and the GoPro starts to develop a mind of its own.

The complete absence of parental coaching from small craft on the water, which appears so prevalent today.

This little event has always been aligned closely with SWS’ values. Community based, volunteer run, racing but not for sheep stations… all the right ingredients… Get Involved!

It began when George Holmes ordered a boat to be built by one of Sydney’s finest boat builders, Joe Donnelly, which first raced at the Balmain Regatta in 1898.  

The Elwood Seahorse possibly originated as a response to the uncontrolled enthusiasm of some paddling canoeists of the day to hoist a sail or two for the odd impromptu bumping race on Port Phillip Bay.

FELUCCA shows a number of features that are rare in Moths, including reverse clinker construction, a dished cockpit, flat foredeck (no centre hump) and a rear tank.

“I have sailed in this club since it was formed and for twenty years have never taken a start.  I am not a one-day champion, have always been a champion, and consider I should always be on scratch.  Whilst I am boat sailing, if I can’t win without a start it is time for me to turn the game up.” 

Dinghy cruising is closely analogous to backpacking/wilderness hiking, especially in the fact that you are carrying your food, water, bedding and shelter with you-but stowed in the hull space of the dinghy—thereby leaving your back and shoulders unburdened.