Jan Garety is Class Captain. You can contact her here

The Streaker was launched towards the end of Jack Holt's dinghy design career in 1975.

By the time the it appeared, home building was in rapid decline, prompted by a new generation of sailors who preferred to buy ready-built plastic boats. Nevertheless the new Holt singlehander was very popular for the first few years with early plywood Streakers accounting for many of the boats, now numbering more than 1700. Like many other classes, sales of the Streaker then went flat eventually prompting the development of FRP boats (fibreglass re-inforced plastic) and composite boats in 1988. Four years later the Streaker Class Association was able to take over copyright, technical control and ownership of the FRP moulds from Jack Holt (Designs Ltd) enabling them to plan the resurgence of the class. A leap in national championship attendance from 23 boats in 2003 to 65 in 2008 indicates that they are clearly on track.

Steve Cockerill who runs Rooster Sailing liked the look of the Streaker and in discussions with the class association felt that he could produce the fastest plastic boat available. It took three attempts. The first epoxy Streaker prototype was too heavy, the second too fragile and the third, which won the national championships in 2007, just right. By that stage Rooster Sailing decided to change to isopathalic polyester sandwich construction with foam core throughout hull, deck and floors to produce the lightest (within the parameters of class rules), stiffest and strongest boat.

Some dinghies are a bit of a handful when bearing off in a breeze. Not the Streaker. It is easy to let the main sheet run, hold the boat flat and feel that you are in full control. The acceleration is great, light and lively with lots of easily controlled fun. The boat is very well-behaved in the gybes, points exceedingly well and upwind the rudder is nice and neutral. The cockpit is comfortable for hiking with angled side decks with a deep footwell and padded toe straps. Optimum crew weight is 10-13stone, although 8-17 stone weights are proving to be satisfactory.

The Streaker is so light - at 48kg much lighter than Jack Holt's other singlehander, the Solo at 79kg - that it streaks away in the lightest puff, has a great feel in shifting winds, it planes easily and points well. It is more comfortable and easier to sail by all ages and both sexes.

SPECIFICATION