505 (dinghy)
Encyclopedia
The International 505 is a one-design
One-design
One-Design is a racing method where all vehicles or boats have identical or very similar designs or models. It is also known as Spec series. It is heavily used in sailboat racing. All competitors in a race are then judged based on a single start time...

 high-performance two-person monohull
Monohull
rightA monohull is a type of boat having only one hull, unlike multihulled boats which can have two or more individual hulls connected to one another.-Fundamental concept:...

 planing centerboard
Centreboard
A centreboard or centerboard is a retractable keel which pivots out of a slot in the hull of a sailboat, known as a centreboard trunk or centerboard case...

 dinghy
Dinghy
A dinghy is a type of small boat, often carried or towed for use as a ship's boat by a larger vessel. It is a loanword from either Bengali or Urdu. The term can also refer to small racing yachts or recreational open sailing boats. Utility dinghies are usually rowboats or have an outboard motor,...

, with spinnaker, utilizing a trapeze for the crew. While it is a high-performance boat and demanding in a blow, the 505 is an extraordinarily well-handling craft and is easier to control than many smaller trapeze boats.

The genesis of the class began in 1953 with the creation of the 18-foot 'Coronet' dinghy designed by John Westell. This sailboat competed for the two-person performance dinghy classification for the Olympics
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...

 at the International Yacht Racing Union
International Sailing Federation
The International Sailing Federation is recognised by the International Olympic Committee as the world governing body for the sport of sailing....

 (IYRU) trials of 1953 held at La Baule
La Baule-Escoublac
La Baule-Escoublac, commonly referred to as La Baule, is a commune in the Loire-Atlantique department in western France.A century-old seaside resort at the gateway to Britany with beautiful villas, casino, luxury hotels and an original mix of old Breton and exclusive seaside culture boasting a 12...

, France. In 1954, the Caneton Association of France requested John Westell to make significant changes to the design to suit their needs. This reduced the overall length, weight and sail area to become the 505, so named for its length of 5.05 meters. The class achieved international status with the IYRU in 1955.

The 505 is a very popular international class and is raced actively in 18 countries around the world. World championships are held every year at locations around the world, rotating by continent, and attract over 100 boats on the start line. At the 2005 world championships held in Warnemünde
Warnemünde
Warnemünde is a sea resort and northmost district of Rostock in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, situated on the Baltic Sea in the northeast of Germany at the estuary of the river Warnow.- History :...

, Germany there were 171 boats. The 2009 World's were held in San Francisco.

The design of the boat's hull shape and sailplan are tightly controlled, while the spar
Spar
In sailing, a spar is a pole of wood, metal or lightweight materials such as carbon fiber used on a sailing vessel. Spars of all types In sailing, a spar is a pole of wood, metal or lightweight materials such as carbon fiber used on a sailing vessel. Spars of all types In sailing, a spar is a...

s, foils and disposition of the rigging is open. This allows the boats to be set up to the needs of the sailor, rather than controls established by the class association, resulting in a high level of adaptability to sailing styles. There are a number of successful sail/layout combinations. This freedom to rig as you please allows a remarkably wide range of crew weights and configurations to be competitive, even in big regattas. Successful teams come in many combinations, including all-female, all-male, mixed, and child/adult or child/teen. The open aspect of the class fosters a greater degree of seamanship and boat wisdom, as teams learn to understand and become proactive in issues such as proper sheeting-lead position, standing-rigging attachment, secure equipment foundations and all the other aspects of rigging and layout which are so important to the well-rounded and knowledgeable sailor.

As of 2005, there are 14 known builders throughout the world. Construction materials range from fiberglass/polyester to carbon fiber, with just about every conceivable construction material used at one time or another within the class. Modern boats with modern materials are capable of remaining competitive at the international level for ten years or more. As of 2009, over 9000 505s had been built since 1954.

Various experimental modifications to the accepted design, outside of the class rules, have been conducted at different points in history. Such modifications have included setting up a double-trapeze system, installation of a bowsprit, and inclusion of an asymmetric spinnaker. However, those who know and love the 5o5 eschew the bowsprit, as the symmetrical chute and traditional pole give better performance on the typical windward-leeward courses run today.

External links


Other classes of dinghy

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