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Firefly (dinghy)
Encyclopedia
The Firefly is a two-sail, wooden or GRP sailing dinghy
with no spinnaker
, designed by Uffa Fox
in 1938. Although designed as a double hander, it was selected as the single handed class for the 1948 Olympics
but was subsequently replaced by the Finn class. The class then became popular as a double hander, as was originally intended. It has become particularly successful as a team racing
boat in the UK, thanks to its high maneuverability, easy handling, and low cost. Another benefit is the use of smaller mainsail
which enables sailing in stronger winds. The class has become particularly popular for the British Universities Sailing Association team racing events, thus all universities that team race will have a fleet of Fireflys, taking advantage of the benefits above.
The Firefly ideal was to produce a one-design dinghy at a low cost; this is why the class celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2006 and continues to grow. The Firefly appeals to all ages and is raced by both men and women.
They are also designed to be very simple, thus all parts are uniform, e.g. shackles and pulleys, helping to cater for a wider range of clients.
All boats are the same with the exception of sail colour (some universities have team colour coded sails) and certain accessories such as sheet colour and edge protectors. However some owners have, contrary to class rules, modified certain aspects, such as the u-bolt's. This is a particular design fault because the hull is constructed of a lower half created in a mould separate to the top deck. This is then glued/screwed together after manufacture and then the 2 u-bolts that anchor the shrouds are fixed in place by 2 nuts. However when being sailed by heavier crews and strong winds, the u-bolts have a tendency to pull through the bottom section and not the upper, consequently tearing a hole in the bow tank. Therefor many competitive boats have carbon blocks put in between the hull and 2 securing nuts thus spreading the forces over a larger area.
Other types of Sailing Dinghy
Dinghy sailing
Dinghy sailing is the activity of sailing small boats by using five essential controls:* the sails* the foils ....
with no spinnaker
Spinnaker
A spinnaker is a special type of sail that is designed specifically for sailing off the wind from a reaching course to a downwind, i.e. with the wind 90°–180° off the bow. The spinnaker fills with wind and balloons out in front of the boat when it is deployed, called flying. It is constructed of...
, designed by Uffa Fox
Uffa Fox
Uffa Fox CBE was an English boat designer and sailing enthusiast.-Life:Uffa Fox was born on the Isle of Wight and was raised in East Cowes. He lived for a while in Puckaster on the Isle of Wight.-Work:...
in 1938. Although designed as a double hander, it was selected as the single handed class for the 1948 Olympics
Sailing at the 1948 Summer Olympics
Sailing/Yachting is a Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad Sailing/Yachting is a Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad Sailing/Yachting is a Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad (1896 Olympics in Athens Greece. With the exception of 1904...
but was subsequently replaced by the Finn class. The class then became popular as a double hander, as was originally intended. It has become particularly successful as a team racing
Team racing
Team racing, also known as teams racing, is a popular form of yacht racing. As opposed to fleet racing where boats are scored on an individual basis, in team racing teams consisting of 2, 3 or 4 boats compete together. As in fleet racing the low point scoring system is used. A boat is awarded...
boat in the UK, thanks to its high maneuverability, easy handling, and low cost. Another benefit is the use of smaller mainsail
Mainsail
A mainsail is a sail located behind the main mast of a sailing vessel.On a square rigged vessel, it is the lowest and largest sail on the main mast....
which enables sailing in stronger winds. The class has become particularly popular for the British Universities Sailing Association team racing events, thus all universities that team race will have a fleet of Fireflys, taking advantage of the benefits above.
The Firefly ideal was to produce a one-design dinghy at a low cost; this is why the class celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2006 and continues to grow. The Firefly appeals to all ages and is raced by both men and women.
Design
Most modern hulls are made from GRP/fibreglass and hulls have to be ordered in advance for a batch of them to be made. E.g. universities getting together to procure entire fleets of boats. Being made of GRP with aluminium spars makes the dinghy very light and thus fast in the right hands, thus emphasizing more on crew skill.They are also designed to be very simple, thus all parts are uniform, e.g. shackles and pulleys, helping to cater for a wider range of clients.
All boats are the same with the exception of sail colour (some universities have team colour coded sails) and certain accessories such as sheet colour and edge protectors. However some owners have, contrary to class rules, modified certain aspects, such as the u-bolt's. This is a particular design fault because the hull is constructed of a lower half created in a mould separate to the top deck. This is then glued/screwed together after manufacture and then the 2 u-bolts that anchor the shrouds are fixed in place by 2 nuts. However when being sailed by heavier crews and strong winds, the u-bolts have a tendency to pull through the bottom section and not the upper, consequently tearing a hole in the bow tank. Therefor many competitive boats have carbon blocks put in between the hull and 2 securing nuts thus spreading the forces over a larger area.