Norfolk punt
Encyclopedia
The Norfolk Punt was derived from the flat-bottomed gun punts that roamed the Broadland waters in the mid-to-late 19th century. However, at the turn of the 20th Century, in order to get to and from the hunting grounds more efficiently, the punters developed their highly unstable craft to carry a basic mast and sail for travelling with the wind. It is from these humble beginnings that one of the country’s most exciting and powerful racing dinghy classes was born.
Amongst the early designers were such famous sailors as Uffa Fox
and Jack Holt, although most successful boats were from the drawing boards of local designers, the most prolific being Herbert Woods, Walter Woods, H.T. Percival and W. F. Mollett. Early boats were generally of clinker
construction and varied from 16 to 22 ft (4.9 to 6.7 m), although once in the 1930s pretty much all the designs were 22 ft (6.7 m). Initially gaff rig
s were the norm, but as the class entered the 1930s Punt owners adopted Bermuda rig
s.
Today many of the early Punts have been lovingly and painstakingly renovated or rebuilt, transformed into varnished works of art. Some have been brought into the 21st Century, sporting carbon spars, trapezes and composite sails atop their beautiful, near-century old clinker hulls. Whatever the owners’ personal choices, these older boats are well loved and still very fast, offering 29er-type speed in a gentleman’s elegant package.
only one boat was built, and it became apparent that the post-WWII economy meant that a new breed of boat needed to be designed, if the class was not to disappear into ignominy. Dick Wyche of Wyche and Coppock designed a 22’ boat made of plywood
that proved far cheaper to build and far lighter and faster to sail. This design hustled the class into a new era, with the next 25 boats being built to Dick Wyche’s plans, and with the class incorporating the trapeze in the 1960s and offering a fibreglass alternative in the 70s.
In the late 70s the Wyche and Coppock Punt even had the distinction of being the fastest dinghy
in production.
To this day, the ‘hard chine’ Punt is a favourite of many, possibly because of its exceptional performance in light to medium conditions, and is still as much in production as ever; of the nine Punts built since 2000, four have been to this design. However, once again owners’ preferences have caused rig configurations vary, from aluminium to carbon spars, single or twin trapezes and symmetric or asymmetric spinnaker
s.
Designs from Fabian Bush, David Horne and Stephen Jones broadened the spectrum and appeal of the class, with hull lengths from 19 to 22 ft (5.8 to 6.7 m) and construction materials as diverse as possible – sheet ply, clinker planks, cold moulded wood, fibreglass, carbon
and Kevlar
are all to be found throughout the development fleet, and as with the “hard chine” fleet, rig configurations vary, from aluminium
to carbon spars, single or twin trapezes and symmetric or asymmetric spinnakers. These “Progress” designs have traveled the length and breadth of the UK to compete in some of the bigger one-off handicap regattas such as the Grafham Grand Prix, the Bloody Mary, etc., and as long as the conditions are appropriate (i.e. no waves!), the boats and the sailors will, and do, acquit themselves favourably against the mainstream competition.
The Classic, or Traditional, Punts
The older Punts are still very much in existence today and race in the same fleets as the newer boats. However, due to their rather more antiquated hull designs they compete on a handicap to allow fair racing. Boats designed and built as early as the late 1920s are still regularly seen on the water, with arguably the most successful Punt ever, winning four National Championships in the late 80s and just outside of the top 3 as recently as 2003, dating back to 1935.Amongst the early designers were such famous sailors as 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:...
and Jack Holt, although most successful boats were from the drawing boards of local designers, the most prolific being Herbert Woods, Walter Woods, H.T. Percival and W. F. Mollett. Early boats were generally of clinker
Clinker
Clinker may refer to:* Clinker , construction method for wooden boats* Clinker , waste from industrial processes* Clinker , a kilned then quenched cement product* Clinker brick, rough dark coloured bricks...
construction and varied from 16 to 22 ft (4.9 to 6.7 m), although once in the 1930s pretty much all the designs were 22 ft (6.7 m). Initially gaff rig
Gaff rig
Gaff rig is a sailing rig in which the sail is four-cornered, fore-and-aft rigged, controlled at its peak and, usually, its entire head by a spar called the gaff...
s were the norm, but as the class entered the 1930s Punt owners adopted Bermuda rig
Bermuda rig
The term Bermuda rig refers to a configuration of mast and rigging for a type of sailboat and is also known as a Marconi rig; this is the typical configuration for most modern sailboats...
s.
Today many of the early Punts have been lovingly and painstakingly renovated or rebuilt, transformed into varnished works of art. Some have been brought into the 21st Century, sporting carbon spars, trapezes and composite sails atop their beautiful, near-century old clinker hulls. Whatever the owners’ personal choices, these older boats are well loved and still very fast, offering 29er-type speed in a gentleman’s elegant package.
The One-Design Punt
In the eight years immediately after World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
only one boat was built, and it became apparent that the post-WWII economy meant that a new breed of boat needed to be designed, if the class was not to disappear into ignominy. Dick Wyche of Wyche and Coppock designed a 22’ boat made of plywood
Plywood
Plywood is a type of manufactured timber made from thin sheets of wood veneer. It is one of the most widely used wood products. It is flexible, inexpensive, workable, re-usable, and can usually be locally manufactured...
that proved far cheaper to build and far lighter and faster to sail. This design hustled the class into a new era, with the next 25 boats being built to Dick Wyche’s plans, and with the class incorporating the trapeze in the 1960s and offering a fibreglass alternative in the 70s.
In the late 70s the Wyche and Coppock Punt even had the distinction of being the fastest 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,...
in production.
To this day, the ‘hard chine’ Punt is a favourite of many, possibly because of its exceptional performance in light to medium conditions, and is still as much in production as ever; of the nine Punts built since 2000, four have been to this design. However, once again owners’ preferences have caused rig configurations vary, from aluminium to carbon spars, single or twin trapezes and symmetric or asymmetric 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...
s.
The Development Years
After 32 years of design ‘hiatus’, the one-design progression of the class was shattered by the return of development. Andy Wolstenholme’s prototype double-chine design led the charge, showing just how much faster the Punt could be. This was followed by the most numerically popular of the “Progress” designs, coming from the board of the world-renowned dinghy designer, Phil Morrison, whose cold-moulded modern hull proved to be blisteringly fast with a PY rating of 875.Designs from Fabian Bush, David Horne and Stephen Jones broadened the spectrum and appeal of the class, with hull lengths from 19 to 22 ft (5.8 to 6.7 m) and construction materials as diverse as possible – sheet ply, clinker planks, cold moulded wood, fibreglass, carbon
Carbon
Carbon is the chemical element with symbol C and atomic number 6. As a member of group 14 on the periodic table, it is nonmetallic and tetravalent—making four electrons available to form covalent chemical bonds...
and Kevlar
Kevlar
Kevlar is the registered trademark for a para-aramid synthetic fiber, related to other aramids such as Nomex and Technora. Developed at DuPont in 1965, this high strength material was first commercially used in the early 1970s as a replacement for steel in racing tires...
are all to be found throughout the development fleet, and as with the “hard chine” fleet, rig configurations vary, from aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
to carbon spars, single or twin trapezes and symmetric or asymmetric spinnakers. These “Progress” designs have traveled the length and breadth of the UK to compete in some of the bigger one-off handicap regattas such as the Grafham Grand Prix, the Bloody Mary, etc., and as long as the conditions are appropriate (i.e. no waves!), the boats and the sailors will, and do, acquit themselves favourably against the mainstream competition.
Conclusion
There is little doubt that the Punt Class will continue to develop within the confines of its rules, as personal preferences and trends continue to dictate the latest thinking. In a nation currently dominated by the big manufacturers and one-design fleets (9er, RS, Laser, Topper, etc.), the Norfolk Punt has held its own due to its unique combination of choice; choice of design, manufacturer, construction materials and rig. Its flat-water performance coupled with its surprisingly forgiving nature are second to none.External links
Sources
- “Norfolk Punts, 1926–2006” by Jamie Campbell, published by Hamilton Publications