The Devon Yawl is a boat that has evolved over time from the inshore fishing boats of the south Devon coast and one of England's oldest racing classes - the Salcombe Yawl. It is a 16ft long, centre-plate One Design Class dinghy that is fun to own and fun to sail. As an all-weather racer, the boat is fast and responsive, satisfying for both the novice and the expert. Spinnakers and/or gennakers are not allowed when racing, a blessing for those who wish to avoid the added complications of using such sails. As a boat for just  pottering round the harbour, it is both comfortable and stable family boat and can easily be sailed single-handed, yet has room for the whole family to enjoy
 
The classic clinker hull is constructed from glass fibre, offering all the benefits of modern materials. The keel band running full-length from bow to stern is designed to prevent damage to the keel when beaching. There is positive buoyancy provided by a forward bulkhead sealing the bow area and side tanks, which also form the seats together with a wooden thwart amidships. The combined weight of the 175lb cast iron centreplate plus 144 lbs. of lead ballast makes the Devon Yawl a boat with a ballast ratio more akin to that of a small modern cruising yacht. The modern aluminium two-masted Bermudan rig with its traditional wooden bowsprit and furling jib, carries an adequate sail area with easy reefing options that ensures both an exhilarating performance and good handling in almost any weather conditions. An outboard motor is easily secured to the tailored well in the transom  - it can readily be taken off and stowed below deck when not required.

The weight of the centreplate and ballast contribute to her inherent stability coupled with a hull shape that gives the excellent performance that one would expect from a boat with such a long history of working at sea as well as racing. She is truly a performance daysailer, capable both of planing and of being left safely on a mooring. The plate is easily raised by a built-in winch system.

There is ample room in the deep cockpit for dry storage space and to provide comfortable and relaxed sailing when picnicking is the goal.

New boats are available from the UK and USA builders in a number of options, from kits to any stage of completion. There is some limited scope in the One-Design Class Rules to allow a certain amount of changes to suit the boat to individual requirements. There is a strong second-hand market so boats tend to hold their value quite well. Yawls for sale are listed on the Devon Yawl website at www.devonyawl.org

In short the Devon Yawl offers:

The Association was founded in 1979 and is affiliated to the Royal Yachting Association. It administers the Class as well as providing owners with the opportunity to meet, sail together and race. The highlight of the annual programme is the National Championships. Membership costs £15 p.a. The Association website offers much additional information plus the One Design Rules and hints/tips on how to rig and sail Devon Yawls. A newsletter ‘The Yawl' keeps members in touch, containing reports on regional and national Association events, technical information, and news items.

The membership is spread throughout the British Isles, and there is an international flavour with members in Europe and a presence in the USA.

There are active fleets at Topsham SC, Yealm YC, Newport Pembrokeshire, on the River Dart at Dittisham, and Chichester Harbour [Bosham Sailing Club and West Wittering Sailing Club].

The Chichester Harbour fleet is holding an Open Race meeting in June 2010.

Racing at Bosham Sailing Club

While entitled to join in with the club fast handicap series throughout the season, Devon Yawls also qualify to race as Classic Dayboats - a large group of like-minded, less formal and generally more relaxed boat owners who enjoy sailing moderately competitively.  For more information on this, see the web article on Classic Dayboats and the club's Red Book. This is the easy way into racing without the hassle.

To take a full part in handicap racing at Bosham, you will need to :-

• 1. Become a member of Bosham Sailing Club.
• 2. Have signed the ‘annual club disclaimer'.
• 3. Ensure your insurance covers you to at least £1million for third party risks.

You would also be well-advised to ensure that your boat is fully in compliance with the One Design rules if you wish to enter any One Design races.

Email Sandy Woodward or call on 01243 57355 if you need to know anything further which is not covered here.