P-class yacht
Encyclopedia
The P-Class is a type of small single sail dinghy
, popular as a training boat for young people in New Zealand
. This class is famous for being the sailing trainer vessel for many new entrants into the sport, and virtually every famous New Zealand yachtsman, including Sir Peter Blake
and Russell Coutts
, learnt to sail in one.
, Harry Highet
, as a simple vessel in which children and young people could learn to sail. It is a 2.13 metre long, single hull, single sail Bermuda rig
ged dinghy, and is designed to be sailed by one person. The Bermudan rig took over from a gunter rig in the 1950s.
The first example appeared at Onerahi
near Whangarei
on New Year's Day, 1920. However it was not until Highet and his family moved to Tauranga
in 1923 that the full potential of his design became apparent. Soon a fleet of a dozen or so boats were racing each weekend on Tauranga Harbour. The P-Class was initially known as the "Tauranga Class". Boats carried the letter "P" on their sails, to indicate they were primary trainers.
By 1940, an Inter-Provincial Competition had been established for the P Class, but this was held only in 1940 and 1941, before lapsing for the rest of World War Two. The competition resumed in 1945, with sailors racing for the Tanner Cup
, a trophy donated by Mr George Tanner. A separate Inter-Club competition for the Tauranga Cup
began at about the same time. Both competitions are still held annually.
Originally built of solid wood, plywood was introduced in 1956 and fibreglass hulls were allowed in 1975. Aluminium spars were introduced in 1976 and carbon fibre - composite masts, in 1998.The class is a one design class with tight building restrictions ensuring that hulls spars sails and foils are very similar in weight and dimensions.
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,...
, popular as a training boat for young people in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. This class is famous for being the sailing trainer vessel for many new entrants into the sport, and virtually every famous New Zealand yachtsman, including Sir Peter Blake
Peter Blake (yachtsman)
Sir Peter James Blake, KBE was a New Zealand yachtsman who won the Whitbread Round the World Race, the Jules Verne Trophy – setting the fastest time around the world of 74 days 22 hours 17 minutes 22 seconds on catamaran Enza, and led his country to successive victories in the America’s Cup...
and Russell Coutts
Russell Coutts
Sir Russell Coutts, KNZM, CBE is a competitive sailor. His achievements include a Gold medal in the Finn Class in the 1984 Olympic Games, winning the America's Cup four times, the ISAF World Youth championships, three World Match Racing Championships, numerous international match race wins and...
, learnt to sail in one.
Origin
The P-Class was designed by New Zealand civil engineerCivil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
, Harry Highet
Harry Highet
Henry Ashton Highet, commonly known as Harry Highet, was a New Zealand civil engineer famous for his 'P-class' yacht design. This class is famous for being the sailing trainer vessel for many new entrants into the sport, and virtually every famous New Zealand yachtsman, including Sir Peter Blake...
, as a simple vessel in which children and young people could learn to sail. It is a 2.13 metre long, single hull, single sail 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...
ged dinghy, and is designed to be sailed by one person. The Bermudan rig took over from a gunter rig in the 1950s.
The first example appeared at Onerahi
Onerahi
Onerahi is a seaside suburb of Whangarei, New Zealand's northern most city. It is the city's only seaside suburb .It is located 9 km south-east of the centre of Whangarei, and follows the Whangarei harbour coastline until it meets the Pacific Ocean....
near Whangarei
Whangarei
Whangarei, pronounced , is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. Although commonly classified as a city, it is officially part of the Whangarei District, administered by the Whangarei District Council a local body created in 1989 to administer both the...
on New Year's Day, 1920. However it was not until Highet and his family moved to Tauranga
Tauranga
Tauranga is the most populous city in the Bay of Plenty region, in the North Island of New Zealand.It was settled by Europeans in the early 19th century and was constituted as a city in 1963...
in 1923 that the full potential of his design became apparent. Soon a fleet of a dozen or so boats were racing each weekend on Tauranga Harbour. The P-Class was initially known as the "Tauranga Class". Boats carried the letter "P" on their sails, to indicate they were primary trainers.
By 1940, an Inter-Provincial Competition had been established for the P Class, but this was held only in 1940 and 1941, before lapsing for the rest of World War Two. The competition resumed in 1945, with sailors racing for the Tanner Cup
Tanner Cup
The Tanner Cup is a New Zealand sailing competition sailed annually. It is sailed in P Class yachts. It is an Inter-Provincial Competition with one sailor from each region competing. It was first sailed in 1945. Many of New Zealands top sailors have competed in and won the Tanner Cup. Previous...
, a trophy donated by Mr George Tanner. A separate Inter-Club competition for the Tauranga Cup
Tauranga Cup
The Tauranga Cup is an annual New Zealand sailing competition for P Class dinghies which began in 1940. Many of New Zealand's top sailors have won the Tanner Cup, including Dean Barker, Chris Dickson and Leslie Egnot. The Tauranga Cup is closely related to the Tanner Cup. The competition is named...
began at about the same time. Both competitions are still held annually.
Originally built of solid wood, plywood was introduced in 1956 and fibreglass hulls were allowed in 1975. Aluminium spars were introduced in 1976 and carbon fibre - composite masts, in 1998.The class is a one design class with tight building restrictions ensuring that hulls spars sails and foils are very similar in weight and dimensions.