Fleets sailed
The International B14 Skiff
The B14 is a one-design dinghy developed by Julian Bethwaite from his 18-foot skiff designs and was the forerunner to his Olympic 49er.
It’s a two-crew skiff-style dinghy with wings but no trapeze. Typically crews are in the weight range 125 - 180 kg. This makes the B14 an ideal boat for teenagers through to adults.
B14 Representative: Richard Reynolds b14s@woollahrasailingclub.org.au
The 49er
The 49er is the Olympic Class double-handed high performance dinghy, appearing for the first time at the 2000 Olympic Games.
Many of the principal features of the 49er are relatively new to the sailing world. The 49er is a slightly smaller version of the eighteen-foot skiff, but with some major differences—it’s one design and a double-handed vessel.
49er Representative: Nigel Littlewood 49ers@woollahrasailingclub.org.au
The Tasar
The Tasar is a strictly controlled one-design class that’s sailed all around the world, but particularly in Australia, North America, Japan and the United Kingdom.
The Tasar carries two crew, though it’s possible to sail her single-handed in light to moderate breezes. By design, the Tasar does not carry a trapeze or spinnaker.
Tasar Representative: Harley Kruse & Rob Perey tasars@woollahrasailingclub.org.au
The Laser
The Laser is a strict one-design sailing dinghy that has a choice of rig sizes designed to suit the size of the sailor.
Laser racing is a truly a test of skill rather than craft with the Laser class being designed around the philosophy that the sailor wins the race, rather than the boat.
Laser Representative: Ashley Brunning lasers@woollahrasailingclub.org.au
The International Moth
The International Moth is an eleven foot long, high performance, single-handed racing dinghy. The Moth is one of the few development classes left in the world and have very few design rules including no weight limit. Innovation is encouraged just as much as sailing skill.
Moth Representative: Scott Babbage moths@woollahrasailingclub.org.au
The Mirror
With its low price, light and seaworthy design which makes it easy to sail, the Mirror is the world's most popular double handed sailing dinghy, inspiring confidence in sailors of all ages and abilities. It is popular for children to sail together, as well as adult and child combinations, especially parent and child.
The Mirror dinghy equips young sailors with the ability and the environment to learn tactical and crew relation skills.
Mirror Representatives: Stan Bland 0414 246 514 / Lise Mellor 0416 363 753
mirrors@woollahrasailingclub.org.au
The Optimist
The Optimist - or "Opti" - is the largest junior sailing class worldwide. From its origin in Florida back in 1947, the Opti has grown to a fleet of over 160,000 and has become the boat of choice for High Performance Sailing development. It is one of the fastest growing fleets here in Australia, and here at Woollahra Sailing Club. We have 20+ boats out every Sunday, in addition to our 12-boat training fleet.
The Opti is simple, robust, and manageable for a young sailor to be independent. They have a long-life and excellent re-sale value. Brand new, an Optimist costs from $3000, and a competitive 2nd hand boat can be picked up from about half that. Our Holiday Camps and Nemo Program are a great avenue to "try before you buy".
Optimist Representative: David Eastwood optimists@woollahrasailingclub.org.au
