The design concept for this boat was to produce a yacht that was economical to build, safe and fast, with shoal draft mooring and cruising capabilities and be able to be very easily sailed shorthanded.

As the intended use of the yacht was day sailing and racing, and also shorthanded cruising, the internal arrangement was kept to the minimum requirements for two people to be comfortable. Two large settee berths are provided with tankage under and lockers behind. A medium sized serviceable galley is situated forward to one side of the centercase, and the chart table is on the opposite side.

The lifting keel provides endless scope for shoal draft cruising and mooring. All ballast is in the keel which takes the form of a highly efficient blade with streamlined bulb on the bottom. This configuration gives a much lower center of gravity for the ballast than a normal fixed keel and provides the same amount of stability with less total weight.

The sail plan and rig are fractional with single swept spreaders, no running backstays or jumpers. This set up is efficient, simple, and easy to handle and control. The primary foresail is a battened, non-overlapping, self-tacking jib. A larger genoa is incorporated for light airs racing.

This design offers a fresh approach to the needs of individual yachting enthusiasts who appreciate a yacht with no compromises to looks and speed and enjoy the more pleasurable aspects of sailing.

The owner of UNION JACK, Jack Shacklock, reports "This design is a joy to sail - light and responsive - tracks nicely and is remarkably quick. Easy to single-hand, fun to race in company, with plenty of strings to play with.

I suspect that in the right hands she would be formidable in PHRF racing. The surprises are BIG cockpit AND the space below. The ability to cruise in thin water and the ease of hauling with simple trailer puts the fun back in boat ownership. If I could change anything it would be my age, not the boat."

PHOTOS Click to enlarge.

SPECS