The Shearwater class that is cited as an example of OD is in fact a RESTRICTED class. i.e. it is a development class. When I raced Shears back in the 1970s there were many quirky boats around with the only common factors between them and the 'factory' boats being hulls and dimensions including sail area. But you had and still have freedom of materials for beams, masts, sails. Freedom of systems. Freedom over extrusion sections, rudder shapes, centreplate design etc.

Looking at the 2006 boats, although they are undeniably Shearwaters, they actually couldn't be described as being the same as the boats that I knew from the 60s and 70s and a HUGE departure from the boat penned by Roland and Francis Prout. A One Design it most certainly is not.


John Alani
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Stealth F16s GBR527 and GBR538