Javelin (boat class)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Notation
Javelin red.svg
Boat dimensions
Length above : 5.38 m
Width above sea level : 1.70 m
Draft : 0.15 - 1.20 m
Weight (ready to sail): 118 kg
Sail area
Sail area close to the wind : 16.3 m²
Mainsail : 10.8 m²
Jib : 5.5 m²
Spinnaker : 19 m²
Others
Rigging type: Sloop
Yardstick number : 97

Javelin is a dinghy for two sailors , which is designed for gliding .

History and Development

Three javelins on a half-wind course with spinnaker
Javelin on spacing course with spinnaker
A Javelin, close-hauled sailing, the helmsman is ridden and the foredeck is in Keystone

The European Javelin was jointly developed in 1968 by Peter Milne (designer, including Fireball) and Paul Wright (boat builder) in England. It should be a compromise between the already existing racing dinghy classes 505 and Flying Dutchman (FD). The Javelin quickly gained the reputation of being an inexpensive alternative to the Flying Dutchman, but could never really leave the shadow of this great class. To date (2019) over 580 boats have been built. Javelin means "spear" when translated into German and this explains the sailing symbol. The Javelin exists as an active regatta class in Great Britain, the Netherlands and Germany. The small class is characterized by the international friendship and helpfulness of the Javeliners. Every year a common Euro championship is held in all three countries.

The boat class of the same name existing in Australia and New Zealand has no relation to the Javelin described here.

Technical characteristics

With a length of 5.38 m, a width of 1.68 m and a hull weight of 118 kg, a light, slim boat shape made of glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) was created. For cost reasons, materials such as carbon and aramid fibers ("Kevlar") are not permitted. Newer boats are largely made of sandwich construction. The mast and boom are made of aluminum. Mainsail (10.8 m²), genoa (5.5 m²) and spinnaker (19 m²) are made of woven polyester material. There is a spinnaker trumpet in the bow tip, which makes setting and retrieving the spinnaker very easy. The Javelin has a retractable sword that can be swiveled completely into the sword case. In the front half of the fuselage there is a waterproof double floor. Together with the also watertight side tanks, there is sufficient buoyancy even in the capsized state. The class rules ensure a uniform speed potential. At the same time, they give a lot of space for the individual equipment of the boats.

Sailing characteristics

As a fast trapeze dinghy (Yardstick 97), the Javelin is made for planing and comes very close to its models 505 and FD. In a direct comparison, the team is often decisive. The Javelin is not a beginner's boat, but is still good-natured, especially when compared to modern skiff dinghies, and with an experienced crew it is also a certain seaworthiness. After all, the Javelin was developed on the English east coast and many regattas are still held there today on the North Sea.

The slim underwater shape of the Javelin makes it pleasant to behave in waves and enables a smooth transition to gliding. Should the Javelin capsize after a clear warning, it will show another pleasant feature. Due to the small volume of the narrow side tanks, the boat sinks so far in the capsized state that the mast and sword lie on the water at the same time. This prevents the boat from overturning anytime soon and makes it much easier to get back upright.

See also

Web links