Etchells
Etchells is the name of an open 3 -man sailboat class, which by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF ) has been recognized as International keelboat class and device class.
The Etchells was designed in 1966 by the American yacht designer Skip Etchells from Greenwich (Connecticut). The boat class was until 1990 known as the " Etchells 22" or " E22 ", with the 22 to the waterline length (LWL) moved 22 feet. The Etchells - boat class quickly became very popular with the sailors and the international class association is organized in more than 50 fleets.
History of Etchells
In 1965, the yacht publication " Yachting Magazine " appeared in the search for a new three - man keelboat for the Olympic sailing events sponsor a design competition, based on the requirements of the International Yacht Racing Union ( ISAF - today: ISAF). Skip Etchells had the design competition followed with interest, but were only recognized as real races in the fall of 1966 on the Baltic Sea Kiel, he decided a yacht to design and compete with a prototype called Shillalah in Kiel, sailed by himself in the competition participated in various boat classes as Soling, Conqueror, Thrice, Ander and goblin. Of the ten races sailed Shillalah won eight.
Because they could not agree on a winner, the jury a new Sichtungsregatta in 1967 decided to organize before Travemünde and to invite the 5.5 -meter class and the dragon with. Skip Etchells built after his wooden boat Shillalah a yacht made of plastic. Of the 13 races conducted Shillalah II won ten races. An eleventh victory Skip Etchells only missed by one second difference, and thus became the undisputed overall winner of the selection regatta. The decision for the Soling as a 3- man keelboat the Olympic sailing events remained unexplained after the regatta results. One possible reason was the relatively high price of Etchells construction with 6800 U.S. dollars. The conclusion of the Sichtungsregatta was the enormous superiority of the majority of new constructions over the established keelboat classes. The all-new 5.5 -meter class was clearly beaten by Etchells design and the dragons were clearly last in the point standings.
After the return of Shillalah II to the U.S. in 1967, the active sailor George Cane, James Fulton and David Larr convinced of the Long Iceland Sound sailing area other friends a total of 12 boat at the shipyard by Skip Etchells, the " Old Greenwich Boat Company " in Old Greenwich (Connecticut ) to order for delivery in summer 1968. The shipyard had acquired since the 1950s has an excellent reputation in the construction of particularly rapid Star boats.
It was formed immediately, a class association and the new keel boat was " E22 " baptized by the waterline length. It was agreed strict one-design rules and a schedule of events was arranged for 1968. Until 1969, built on the shipyard " Old Greenwich Boat Company ," a total of 36 boats, later the company " Tillotson - Pearson " shaped hulls for Etchells. In 1972 the " E22 " the international status of the ISAF and was recognized with the class rules, regulations and measuring device class specifications on 1 July 1974 as International class.
In 1990, the class officially changed its name to " International Etchells " and " International Etchells Class Association ". For a change of the sail sign was connected. The new logo was confirmed in 1996.
Construction
The Etchells is a very fast, open keel boat sailing as stiff ( upright) sloop - rigged boat can be very well controlled safely on races with a crew of three to four men. The yacht crosses at an angle of 70 degrees against the wind and reacts very sensitively to changes in trim rigging and sails.
It has a sleek hull shape with a low wetted surface, which gives very good low-end power. In stronger winds it slides very quickly. The sail wardrobe consists of mainsail, jib and spinnaker. The Etchells yachts are easily transported on a boat trailer between races.
The strict one-design rules are monitored by a well-organized class association. The high building standards and the absolute equality of the boats are strictly controlled. The Class Association license in conjunction with the International Sailing Federation only three boat builders around the world:
- Ontario Yachts in Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Etchells builds since 1975
- Pacesetter Etchells P / L in New South Wales, Australia: licensed since 1996
- David Heritage Racing Yachts in Cowes, Isle of Wight, England: licensed since 2005
Regattas
The very good sailing characteristics of the Etchells attract many prominent racers, such as:
- Dirk Kneulman
- John Bertrand
- Dennis Conner
- Gary Jobson
- Russell Coutts
- Dave Curtis
- Poul Ricard Hoi Jensen