Just when you thought you'd seen it all.....

jssailem · Oct 8, 2017

I’ll check it out Russ.

JimInPB · Oct 8, 2017

Looks similar to the 2.4M class that the disabled sailors race in the ISAF World Cup events

http://www.us24meter.org/

markwbird · Oct 9, 2017

These were sorta popular back in the 80's. There was a place on Town Lake in Austin were you could rent them. It was fun to see them sailing around on Town Lake on the weekends.

JRacer · Oct 9, 2017

A couple of people at our lake had them in the 80's. They were fun and with the pair we could match race them. Not much fun in any kind of waves though. Not much freeboard.

Jackdaw · Oct 9, 2017

They are Illusion-class boats.

As others note popular with disabled sailor programs. Also actively raced in the UK.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusion_(keelboat)

dziedzicmj · Oct 9, 2017

JimInPB said:
Looks similar to the 2.4M class

Apparently, 2.4 m was developed as an evolution of the Mini 12 (http://www.gaviayachts.com/history.htm).

A very similar (albeit a bit larger) is Canadian Martin 16 (https://martin16.com/). It is used extensively with disabled sailing programs.

JimInPB · Oct 12, 2017

RussC said:
From what little I've read, these boats are also popular with disabled sailers. partially due to the foot operated rudder and secure seating.

I've seen this one girl named Tracy race them a few times. She a quadriplegic. They have to load her in the boat with a small crane. I'm not sure how she does it, but I have seen her be the first boat around the windward mark in a fleet that included able bodied sailors in an Olympic class regatta. I was astonished to see her pull that off. It was an eye opener for me.

CloudDiver · Oct 12, 2017

I have to force myself to stay away from this topic... this is way too tempting! I love small boats because they are just... neat! If i did something on this scale I'd want to do one of these Mini J Class boats. Here is a good link with many pics/examples and even a good video;
https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/mini-j-class.32980/

CloudDiver · Oct 12, 2017

Oh Man, ya gotta check this out..

jssailem · Oct 12, 2017

Wow looks like your sailing a kayak.

JimInPB · Oct 12, 2017

It's hard to believe that those little toy boats can support a chute.

CloudDiver · Oct 12, 2017

I could do one in cedar strip like I used to build Canoes. If I had a good set of drawings I'd have some forms cut on a CNC router to lay up the strips then I'd VAC bag S Glass sheathing. Thin strips of white oak, purple heart, or similar species used to laminate the keelson, stem, transom, etc... Perfect boat to use 3mm Dyneema for shrouds. I could easily pull off composite chain plates on a small boat like this. I might be able to get away with less than $3K in materials for the hull, including a teak deck ;-)