Blackpool & Fleetwood Yacht Club
Dinghy Sailing
Laser 1
GP14
MERLIN ROCKET
FLYING FIFTEEN
Dinghy sailing is a fun and low-cost way to get into yachting. Dinghies are small, lightweight sailing boats, typically around 4m in length. We use dinghies for our learn-to-sail classes, and most of our club racing is centred around these boats.
The majority of sailing dinghies are either single handers which are sailed individually, or double handers which are sailed by a helm and one crew (although many will take more, for instance if you want to take your family out on the water).
The dinghy section of the club organises several race series for club members throughout the year , and also a number of Open Events where sailors from other clubs are welcome. Most races are held on Sundays.
On many Saturdays throughout the year there are also a number of informal sailing events, shown as Free Sailing, Social Sailing, or Sail Coaching in the Sailing Programme. The aim of these days is to develop the skills and experience of novice & junior sailors and to encourage more people onto the water.
For members that don't yet have their own boat, the club has a number of dinghies that are available for sailing at Skippool.
Dinghy Fleet
Races at BFYC are run using the Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) handicap system, so most classes of dinghy can be raced against each other. We do however have a number of supported classes, details of which are shown below.
Laser 1
A simple and very popular single handed dinghy. These are sailed at all levels from club racing to the Olympics, and are available with a number of different sail sizes ("rigs") to accommodate a wide range of helm weights. They are a lively boat and would not be recommended for a complete beginner. Lasers can be sailed in all of our dinghy races series, and are particularly popular in the evening series.
GP14
This is a popular 2-handed dinghy and with variations in sail plan is suitable for all abilities from beginner upwards. The name derives from the original design brief which was for a "14 foot general purpose" boat. Although usually sailed with 2 people, it can take additional crew when used for cruising or leisure sailing. Like the Laser, the GP14 has ISAF International status, and is raced at all levels from club to World Championship.
The club has a modern, fully race rigged GP14 that members can hire.
To find out more about sailing the GP14 at BFYC, email us.
Merlin Rocket
A 2-handed high-performance dinghy, suitable for more experienced sailors.
Flying Fifteen
This is a 2-handed small keelboat, with a growing fleet at Blackpool & Fleetwood. These boats are a little larger than most dinghies, and they are both fast and stable. Flying 15s are sailed in most of our events, as a one design class with their own start.
For more information on our Flying 15 fleet click here.
Want to race but have no-one to sail with? Have a look at our sailing group on Facebook to find a crew or helm - BFYC sailing.