Pelican (dinghy)

Last updated
Pelican
Crew2
Boat
Crew2
Hull
Hull weight54 kilograms (119 lb) (min)
LOA 2.900 metres (9 ft 6.2 in)
Sails
Jib/genoa areanone

The Pelican is a pram dinghy, peculiar to Perth, Western Australia

Contents

Design

It is similar to the ubiquitous Mirror, being a gunter-rigged pram designed for a crew of two. However, it's a little smaller and is usually rigged only with main and spinnaker. Originally constructed in timber, many are now constructed in fibreglass. A variant of the Pelican class sailed at Lake Maquarie is also rigged with a jib.

Foils

The rudder is made from wood or fibreglass. The daggerboard is made of aluminium improving its longevity and ease of maintenance.

Sails

In 2014 the class rules were updated to allow Polyester Laminate sails (Mylar). This and Dacron are the only materials allowed.

The class evolved in the 1950s from the tenders of local sail boats – these were jury rigged with sails for races between crews of sail boats moored at Rottnest. The class peaked with over 270 hulls registered with about 70 currently active (cite WA newspapers report Jan 2008).

It remains a popular beginners' dingy class in Perth.

Class associations

[1]

Related Research Articles

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Cadet (dinghy)

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12 Metre

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Laser 3000

The Laser 3000 is a racing sailing dinghy crewed by two persons with a trapeze for the crew. Launched in 1996, the 3000 was developed from the Laser 2, using the original Frank Bethwaite-designed planing hull combined with a brand new self-draining deck by Derek Clark. Clark also re-designed the rig, using spars and sails from premium proprietary sources and replacing the symmetric spinnaker of the Laser 2 by a larger asymmetrical spinnaker. The gennaker is chute-launched and retrieved using a single halyard line, and is set on a retractable bowsprit. Helm balance and handling were improved using a shorter-footed mainsail with two full-width battens giving a larger roach. A mast with conventional spreaders replaced the now-unusual diamond arrangement of the Laser 2.

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The Hartley TS16 is an Australian trailerable sailboat that was designed in 1956 by New Zealander Richard Hartley as a day sailer and which later became a one design racer.

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References

  1. "The Pelican: A Roomier, More Family Friendly Pram" . Retrieved 2016-02-24.