History of the Yachting World Dayboat
In the October 1949 edition of the "Yachting World", details were published of a 14ft dinghy which Mr G. O'Brien Kennedy, M.R.I.N.A., had been commissioned to design and which was to be known as the "Yachting World 14ft Dayboat". The requirements were a round bilge sailing boat which could be easily amateur built by a number of methods, i.e. clinker double diagonal, seam batten carvel, etc. The boat was to be of robust construction, suitable for family sailing and generally knocking about in open waters, estuaries and rivers. The boat was not intended for racing but should have the best possible performance under an alternative rig of either gunter or Bermudan. She had to be a boat which the crew sat in rather than on and have a reasonable amount of free-board.
By the end of 1950 about fifteen boats had been built, mainly in the Bristol Channel and the Clyde but also in other places where the sailing conditions were difficult. It was discovered that the designer had carried out his instructions well and the boat possessed all the essential requirements. She was an excellent sea-boat, strongly built with plenty of stability, manoeuvrable and with a fair turn of speed.
Historical timeline:
1955- Permission given for professional boat builders to build under licence.
1955-Owners formed the YW 14ft Dayboat Association, which was recognised by the RYA. A committee was elected and given the difficult task of writing the class rules.
1957- The Class Rules were finally approved by a Special General Meeting, with the minimum weight of the boat set at 450lbs. The class secretary went about tracing all of the boats built to the published plans and located 103 boats.
1959- A number of new boats were built and the racing became much more competitive. The Dayboat's description of a "cruising boat suitable for racing" could be said to have changed to a "racing boat suitable for cruising", and it became necessary to rewrite the class rules. The revised version was approved by the A.G.M. in August.
1959- Controversy arose regarding the potential speed differential of smooth verses clinker hulls. Two fleets A&B were established and, against the wishes of the Association, the RYA gave each with its own Portsmouth Handicap with a difference of 2.
1968- Changes were made to the Class Rules permitting (1) Glass Reinforced Plastic ("Fibre-glass") construction for Section B ("Smooth") hulls only, and (2) the use of metal spars with Section B hulls of any age or construction. A later relaxation of the Rules allowed specified metal spars to be used throughout the Class.
1969- The Association decided to re-unite the Class, and to influence all outside bodies, including the R.Y.A. to cease to distinguish between "clinker" and "smooth" Dayboats. All Dayboats now race as one class at Open meetings and at Dayboat Week.
1979 -The GRP simulated clinker hull was adopted, and the Association laid down its own mould, which allowed hulls and/or decks to be obtained for completion or finished boats at very competitive prices.
1986 Iain Macpherson brought the first YWDB to Bosham (Dapple DB 513 see image ) and joined the Classic Dayboat fleet at Bosham.
2025- The YWDB fleet has continued to grow at the club and now numbers over 20 boats, many of whom compete at DayBoat Week which is held at a variety of different open water venues.
Last updated 17:04 on 1 September 2025
