Kestrel (dinghy)

Kestrel
Boat
Crew 2
Hull
Hull weight 120 kg (260 lb)
LOA 4.75 m (15.6 ft)
Beam 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
Sails
Spinnaker area 5.57 m2 (60.0 sq ft)
Upwind Sail Area 6.78 m2 (73.0 sq ft)[1]
Misc
D-PN 91.6
RYA PN 1040

The Kestrel was the first sailing dinghy especially designed to have a fibreglass hull.[2]

After a slow start, due to resistance to the new material, the Kestrel grew in popularity. This success led to more and more classes changing their rules to allow fibreglass construction. Today, the class is still a popular choice, particularly for 'club' racers and training schools. The design has been updated by Phil Morrison and has most recently been built by Hartley Laminates.

Design

The 'v' shaped bow that flared into a strong round-bilged hull under the mast was a direct descendant from existing Ian Proctor Merlin designs. Fibreglass along with the design gave the boat substantial toughness and a smooth regular finish.

History

In 1955, Ian Proctor designed the Kestrel.

The first few Kestrels were constructed using timber, since fibreglass technology was still very new. Construction was soon converted to the originally intended fibreglass, but the popularity of the class grew slowly due to a widespread mistrust of the new material.

It was not until a highly regarded firm in Fordingbridge took up construction that the class started to grow. The firm made the boat for 25 years and introduced a Mark II version.

In 1988, Martin Services in Essex, UK took over construction. They caused a great increase in the number of boats built every year, by putting in significant financial capital and modernizing the construction process.[3]

Since 1999, Richard Hartley's company Hartley Laminates have been the sole builders of Kestrels.[1] They have released a new Kestrel called the Kestrel 2000, which is a stronger, stiffer version of the original Kestrel.

Handicap

In handicap racing, the Kestrel sails off a Portsmouth Yardstick number of 1040[4] or a D-PN of 91.6.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Hartley Laminates website. Retrieved on 2008-08-18.
  2. ↑ Kestrel Owner's Association - Homepage. Retrieved on 2008-08-18.
  3. ↑ The Dinghy. Kestrel Owner's Association. Retrieved on 2008-08-18 from http://www.kestrel.org.uk/new_dinghy_main.htm.
  4. ↑ "Portsmouth Number List 2012". Royal Yachting Association. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  5. ↑ "Centerboard Classes". US Sailing. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
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