International 10 Sq.m. Sailing Canoe
For over one hundred years racing sailing canoes has fascinated, exasperated, intrigued and even infuriated some of the world’s great sailors. The voyage includes the earliest known recorded planing boats, the second longest standing international sailing event, and the ability to go upwind like a stiletto through butter.
The key features of the Canoe are its relatively small but highly efficient rig, its long, slim and lightweight hull, and of course the sliding seat.
How do you sum up the appeal of the International 10 Square Metre Sailing Canoe in four short paragraphs? "The dry fly of sailing"? (Uffa Fox) "one of the most interesting things that God let man make"? ( L Francis Herreshof) "Oh [deleted]!"? (nearly everyone who’s ever sailed one)?
For well in excess of one hundred years racing sailing canoes has fascinated, exasperated, intrigued and even infuriated some of the world’s great sailors. Along the way decked canoes have provided the earliest known recorded planing boats, the second longest standing international sailing event, an enormous amount of idiosyncratic fun and the ability to go upwind like a stiletto through butter. Sailors who become smitten with the class’ unique challenge often stay sailing them for decades.
The key features of the Canoe are its relatively small but highly efficient rig, its long, slim and lightweight hull, and of course that sliding seat. The "plank" is key to the experience. There’s something very unique about sailing your boat from your perch some feet from the windward side, and while all is going well its a surprisingly relaxing experience. Physically its generally less demanding than a trapeze or wings, but it does bring some extra handling challenges.
No boat can be all things to all men, and its pointless to pretend that this is a mass market boat. But then Château d’Yquem is not a mass market wine, and a pre war blown Bentley is not a mass market car. Some special things are, well, just special, and, unlike the wine or the car, this one isn’t unreasonably expensive...
Latest Forum Posts
What is an "Avalon built boat?
From gilles, Thu Feb 27, 2020 9:42 pm
hi,
Dicey is still in a good shape at st Malo (France) but her owner is the boss of a shipyard and have no time to sail her. If you want news you can try at :http://deriveurservices.com/
Gilles
What is an "Avalon built boat?
From jimc, Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:21 pm
The data I have is pretty clear that Avalon was a builder. It lists 101 as having builder Avalon/Nethercott and 102 as John Crisp/Nethercott. J Crisp seems to have owned 102 up to 1980. Make of that what you will!
British Team 2020 Worlds
From Alistair, Mon Feb 24, 2020 6:37 pm
We are rapidly approaching the deadline for the British container, all deposits in for the 8th March please!
Thanks
Alistair
What is an "Avalon built boat?
From michael Brigg, Mon Feb 24, 2020 5:28 pm
I have recently been sorting through a back catalogue of old photos and found a picture of K101 "Dicey." as originally posted on ebay (I took a copy at the time)
Dicey was described as an "Avalon built" hull and was essentially identical to K102 Torment. Both had raked back Sapele patterned ply and identical Sliding seat (Bacon slicer) arrangement with a small "Centerplate" box combined with the false deck/floor. The plate was a swinging arrangement sat on a pin at the front end of the box. Great for silted shallow harbours but rather less effective than a dagger board for controlling the trim of the boat.
The main design feature that was obvious was the enormous bouyancy contained within the bow which rises up in front of the deck stepped mast like the bonnet of a classic racing car. At speed this combines with a 1/3 inch beading along the top edge to shroud the hull within a a massive bow wave and spray that practically entombs the boat but on the plus side, it is immune to the other problem of disappearing down the mine.
Coming back on topic, I believe the picture and description that I have of "Dicey" clearly indicates that as her Sister ship, Torment is very likely an Avalon build.
What I want to know is whether this defines Torment as a different design to the Nethercott or does it simply indicate that the builder (Avalon) was conforming to the Nethercott design as applied to the Hull measurements. The mast foot is certainly different and is much further forward than other canoes I have looked at.
SLIDING SEAT NEWSLETTERS
From petermclaren, Mon Feb 24, 2020 2:41 pm
I have hard copies of newsletters from late 1994. Are these of use to anyone for research/archive purposes?
Peter
Random Pages
Theo Smith of Oxford (20 Dec 2019)
Theo Smith and Sailing Canoes
Photo: A Theo Smith Canoe Yawl, possibly Mnemopete.
I received correspond ... continue reading...
Sailing Canoes: A Brief History (20 Dec 2019)
New York Canoe Club International Challenge Cup Winners and Reports (20 Dec 2019)
This is believed to be the second oldest (after the America's Cup) ... continue reading...
Vanessa VII (20 Dec 2019)
Vanessa VII
Date: 1898/9
Designer: Linton Hope Body Plan
Sheer and Half ... continue reading...
- Defiant (20 Dec 2019)
