- Kestrel (dinghy)
Infobox Sailboat Specifications
numberofcrew = Two
loa = 4.75 m (15 ft 7 in)
beam = 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
hull = 120 kg (265 lbs)
mainsailandjib = 6.78m2 [http://www.hartleylaminates.co.uk Hartley Laminates website] . Retrieved on2008-08-18 .]
spinnaker = symmetric 5.57 m2
portsmouth = 1038 [Royal Yachting Assn. [http://www.ripon-sc.org.uk/pdf/20077PNList.pdf Portsmouth Number List 2007] (PDF). Ripon Sailing Club. Retrieved on2008-08-18 .] The Kestrel was the firstsailing dinghy especially designed to have afibreglass hull [http://www.kestrel.org.uk Kestrel Owner's Association - Homepage] . Retrieved on2008-08-18 .] . It was designed in 1955, byIan Proctor . After a slow start, due to resistance to using the new material, the Kestrel grew in popularity. This success led to more and more classes changing their rules to allow fibreglass construction. Today, the class is still a popular choice, particularly for 'club' racers and training schools. The design has been updated by Phil Morrison and has new builders in the shape of Hartley Laminates.Design
The 'v' shaped bow that flared into a strong round-bilged hull under the mast was a direct decendant from existing Ian proctor Merlin Designs. Fibreglass along with the design gave the boat substantial toughness and a smooth regular finish.
History
After its initial design, a few timber kestrels were constructed as fiberglass technology was still very new. However when construction was converted to fibreglass, as originally intended, take up was slow as there was a mistrust of the new material. It was not until a high regarded firm in Fordingbridge took up construction that the class started to grow. The firm constructed the boat for 25 years and introduced a Mark II version.
In 1988 another firm took over construction. They, with a lot of financial injection and modernation of the construction process, caused a great increase in the number of boats build a year. [ [http://www.kestrel.org.uk/new_dinghy_main.htm The Dinghy] . Kestrel Owner's Association. Retrieved on
2008-08-18 .]Since 1999, Richard Hartley with his company Hartley Laminates are the solo builders of Kestrel. They have released a new Kestrel called the Kestrel 2000
References
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