SHEARWATER

LOA 16ft

Beam 40in

Approximate stripped weight 90lbs

Approximate rigged weight 120lbs

£3,000

Shearwater can be supplied with a lugsail ketch rig, with a Bermudan ketch rig or with a single Bermudan sail as shown here.

Shearwater uses the well proven Avocet hull but has a deck and a cockpit. We have made the cockpit sides parallel and this has enabled us to fit seats which can easily be moved fore and aft so as to adjust the trim for one or two people. This can be done in seconds even on the water.

The side buoyancy tanks enable the boat come up empty after capsize recovery and the side decks  provide a comfortable place to sit.

Decks fore and aft keep the waves out and enclose dry lockers with large waterproof hatches.

The leeboard and it's bracket can easily be removed on the water to allow  paddling if the wind dies.

In a break with tradition we have put a flat deck on Shearwater which enables the boat to be carried upside down on a roof rack.

Of course there is a disadvantage to the decks……they add some weight. This is not a problem on the water but may be when you come to lift the boat. (On balance, for the sort of sailing we want to do, we  prefer having the decks).

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Without the rig the canoe can be paddled easily with a single or double bladed paddle.

Shearwater is fitted with a 5sq m rig as standard. This gives a sparkling performance which will not be out of place at your local sailing club. Or you can have a 44sq ft Bermudan, a Bermudan ketch or a lugsail ketch.

The 5sq m Bermudan rig  is an appropriate cruising rig on this boat because it can so easily be reefed.