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We were very excited, not only would we have a small single-handed race boat with an established Byte Class Association with a full training and racing calendar but, a boat that was raced throughout the world.
A boat that would fit our requirements with a helm weight range of between 55kgs and 75kgs. Even better, with a simple change of bottom section of the mast and a change to the small sail, you now have the ideal boat for helms with a weight between 35kgs to 65kgs.
We were convinced that with our intended list of improvements and benefits, we could make this single hander a world leader. The list of improvements to be made to the existing boat were, to fair the hull, improve the foils for better performance, fit an adjustable sailing track which would help the helm control the sail and help to de-power in heavy winds. Fit easy to use cleats with keepers, continuous control lines and a larger metal bailer to help drain the boat quicker. Build the boat to last the rigours of time and give real value for money. Offer sailors a choice of colour for the hull, deck and non-slip floor, we will even be happy to put a logo/boat name on your hull.
Why buy a Byte CI or CII?
The boat was designed to look stunning and with the colourful, fully battered main the boat just comes to life and is outstanding.
The boat is comfortable to sail, with its high boom, centre sheeting, no catching on the transom when gybing and with user friendly controls, the boat just handles like a dream in all conditions. Fitted with a carbon mast this makes the boat outstanding to sail, in big winds the boat then becomes very special to sail, the carbon mast not only bends and allows the rig to de-power in order that you don’t fight the boat, but it is comfortable and a joy to sail.
The carbon rig in big gusts just bends and flattens and then powers up giving the helm time to react to the gust and control the boat. With a hull weight of only 45kgs, should you get the gybe wrong the boat is easy to right, just get back in and pop down the bailer and carry on with your racing. The hull weight of only 45kgs also makes it easy to tow and launch and recovery is a doddle.
The Byte Class Association offers a full racing calendar and National Championship with training sessions. The class is very friendly, helpful and a great crowd to be with. Above all, they are very welcoming to any new members, a free full year’s membership is given when you buy a new boat.
When we sell a new boat Hartley Boats likes to complete a full boat handover to ensure that you fully understand how to rig your new boat but most importantly that you get the best from your new investment. We also tune your new Byte and go through the boat set up for a beat, reach and run. This helps you achieve the best results when racing.
We at Hartley Boats are very proud of our standards and build quality, to demonstrate that statement we are the only manufacturer to offer a 4-year guarantee. Should it be needed we may be able to deliver.
We were very excited, not only would we have a small single-handed race boat with an established Byte Class Association with a full training and racing calendar but, a boat that was raced throughout the world.
A boat that would fit our requirements with a helm weight range of between 55kgs and 75kgs. Even better, with a simple change of bottom section of the mast and a change to the small sail, you now have the ideal boat for helms with a weight between 35kgs to 65kgs.
We were convinced that with our intended list of improvements and benefits, we could make this single hander a world leader. The list of improvements to be made to the existing boat were, to fair the hull, improve the foils for better performance, fit an adjustable sailing track which would help the helm control the sail and help to de-power in heavy winds. Fit easy to use cleats with keepers, continuous control lines and a larger metal bailer to help drain the boat quicker. Build the boat to last the rigours of time and give real value for money. Offer sailors a choice of colour for the hull, deck and non-slip floor, we will even be happy to put a logo/boat name on your hull.
Why buy a Byte CI or CII?
The boat was designed to look stunning and with the colourful, fully battered main the boat just comes to life and is outstanding.
The boat is comfortable to sail, with its high boom, centre sheeting, no catching on the transom when gybing and with user friendly controls, the boat just handles like a dream in all conditions. Fitted with a carbon mast this makes the boat outstanding to sail, in big winds the boat then becomes very special to sail, the carbon mast not only bends and allows the rig to de-power in order that you don’t fight the boat, but it is comfortable and a joy to sail.
The carbon rig in big gusts just bends and flattens and then powers up giving the helm time to react to the gust and control the boat. With a hull weight of only 45kgs, should you get the gybe wrong the boat is easy to right, just get back in and pop down the bailer and carry on with your racing. The hull weight of only 45kgs also makes it easy to tow and launch and recovery is a doddle.
The Byte Class Association offers a full racing calendar and National Championship with training sessions. The class is very friendly, helpful and a great crowd to be with. Above all, they are very welcoming to any new members, a free full year’s membership is given when you buy a new boat.
When we sell a new boat Hartley Boats likes to complete a full boat handover to ensure that you fully understand how to rig your new boat but most importantly that you get the best from your new investment. We also tune your new Byte and go through the boat set up for a beat, reach and run. This helps you achieve the best results when racing.
We at Hartley Boats are very proud of our standards and build quality, to demonstrate that statement we are the only manufacturer to offer a 4-year guarantee. Should it be needed we may be able to deliver.
To say Hartley Boats were pleased to add the Gull to our existing range would be a lie. When we bought the Wayfarer and Wanderer copyrights from the Proctor family, Roger asked me “do you want the Gull?”. The response for this 11ft (3.35m) little boat which I had seen many times in different locations was, “not for us, this was not a boat I have aspirations to build”. Again, Roger insisted it was a great boat, sells well and sails fantastic, you should take it. Reluctantly we did, we bought the tooling and produced and sold Gulls for several months.
Unlike both the Wayfarer and Wanderer, we did not re-design the boat to avoid spending the many thousands of £’s involved in producing patterns, moulds and templates needed when you produce a new boat, no, not for this average boat! All this changed, the day we delivered and completed a handover of a Gull to a new owner at a Sailing Club. "Come and sail with me it’s a great day, good winds and I am a novice sailor, I would enjoy you helming my new boat".
That sail taught me so much, as well as proving I had been a fool and I had got the Gull wrong. I should have known that the man that designed the Wayfarer, Wanderer and over 100 other fantastic boats would also design the Gull to be a special boat. Within a short-time my eyes were opened, the boat felt stable and light on the tiller, it sailed as if it was a much larger boat. I was surprised, amazed and totally sold on this boat. The Gull has the same chined hull as the Wanderer and Wayfarer and is also a very special boat.
Next day, a made a phone call to my Naval Architect, Phil Morrison. “I have an urgent job for you, we are going to make changes and improvements to the Gull. Can you start now? I will send you the list of improvements and benefits and give you the plans for you to get cracking”. I was excited for the boats future and realised with Phil’s help this boat could be a fantastic boat with a great and long-term future. The list of changes required were very difficult for Phil to achieve but Phil’s respect for Ian Proctor made him determined to ensure the new boat would be special.
The list was headed by, no hull change at all. This chined, Proctor designed 11ft (3.35m) hull is so stable, easy to sail and handles big seas and waves as if it was a larger boat, we had the most stable platform of any 11ft (3.35m) sailing dinghy. Not only does it give confidence to the crew but the boat moves well through the water and is a pleasure to sail. The changes would be to the deck layout. Firstly, design a new foredeck to improve the look of the boat, make it look beautiful and sleek. Re-design the rear locker to give style to the boat, make it big enough to carry clothing, outboard and cheese and wine for cruising trips. The seating is very comfortable, lower the cockpit floor to give even more leg room and facilitate for self-bailers to be fitted. These changes with the very special hull design have delivered a very special 11ft (3.35m) sailing boat. Every year the fleet grows with nearly 3,000 sold.
Why is the Gull the best 3.35m cruiser in the world? Firstly, the hull design, this is the most STABLE 3.35m dinghy in its field, tested for two adults and two children or is great as a single-hander, comfortable seating, with plenty of leg room, a high boom makes tacking and gybing a doddle. The boat comes with a main and genoa but you can add a spinnaker for those enthusiastic sailors.
For those long-haul cruising sailors, you can have a slab reefing main with a reefing genoa, this allows you to fully reef down your boat within twenty-five seconds, you can then sail comfortably in big seas and strong winds. This boat although very STABLE in the right wind conditions will get up and go, this is not a boring boat. With the benefit of the integral rear locker you can switch to an engine if required or even row the boat.
As well as choosing the boat specification to suit your needs you can choose the colour of your hull, foredeck, deck and non-slip floor. We can even put a logo of your choice on your boat. This boat is a very special 3.35m sailing dinghy. It is double handed or is great to sail single handed.
The new boat can be built to your specification be it to a limited budget or with all the bells and whistles, you decide your requirements with the knowledge that the Hartley Boats Team will give you sound advice to ensure you get the fit-out right for your needs.
For those racing enthusiasts we are able to offer a racing set up, the boat has a great PY of 1363 and does well in handicap racing.
When we sell a new boat Hartley Boats likes to complete a full boat handover to ensure that you fully understand how to rig your boat and most importantly that you get the best from your new investment. This helps you enjoy sailing your new boat and helps make sure you come off the water with confidence and want to return and sail again. With a hull weight of only 88kgs it makes towing, launching and recovery a doddle, even for a single-handed sailor.
We at Hartley Boats are very proud of our standards and build quality, to demonstrate that statement we are the only manufacturer to offer a 4-year guarantee.
This new generation of rotor-moulded boat has been designed by Phil Morrison not only to last the rigours of time but to be the most outstanding 10ft (3.04 m) dingy ever designed, with unique sailing benefits and qualities to become in time a world leader.
This was no small challenge but became even worse when Hartley Boats presented the list of requirements they wanted to be incorporated into his design and benefit list.
The remit was to build the most STABLE 10ft (3.04m) dinghy being the number one priority on the list of requirements, with comfortable seating to cater for all age groups, a dry cockpit and self-draining floor.
The boat should have a deep floor and plenty of leg room with a very high boom to make tacking and gybing easy and an easy reefing system. Training Schools teach capsize drills, so a boat that would be hard to invert unless required would also be a major benefit, also make it easy for a novice sailor to get upright. When righted the boat should be empty of water would also be an excellent benefit. The boat should handle well in big sea conditions and should be able to be sailed either by a four-year-old or, with an adult when beginning to sail or, by two youth sailors.
The H10 has been exported to many countries and is used by holiday sailing companies and many of the leading sailing and training centres throughout the UK. The H10 is also used by many families and has more than achieved its position in the sailing world.
We are proud to say that all of these benefits plus more have been achieved, we believe the H10 dinghy is the most stable 10ft (3.04m) sailing dinghy in the world. Designed to give confidence and bring a smile to whoever sails the boat.
The H10 was not designed to be a boring boat, with the right conditions it will get up and plain and be an exciting sail.
When we sell a new boat, Hartley Boats likes to complete a full boat handover. Not only to ensure that our customer understands how to rig their new boat but most importantly that they get the best from their new investment and enjoy sailing the boat and come off the water wanting to return and sail again.
We at Hartley Boats are very proud of our standards and build quality, to demonstrate that statement we are the only manufacturer to offer a 4-year guarantee. If you need your boat to be delivered, we can accommodate.
This new generation of rotor-moulded boat has been designed by Phil Morrison not only to last the rigours of time but to be the most outstanding 12ft (3.65m) dinghy ever designed with unique sailing benefits and qualities to become, in time a world leader.
This was no small challenge but became even worse when Hartley Boats presented the list of requirements they wanted to be incorporated into his design and benefit list.
This new generation of rotor-moulded boat has been designed by Phil Morrison not only to last the rigours of time but to be the most outstanding 12ft (3.65m) dinghy ever designed, with unique sailing benefits and qualities to become in time a world leader.
This was no small challenge but became even worse when Hartley Boats presented the list of requirements and benefit list they wanted to be incorporated into his design.
The remit was, build the most STABLE 12ft (3.65m) dinghy being the number one priority on the list of requirements, with a centreboard fitted instead of the dagger board as used by other manufacturers would be a great advantage with comfortable seating, a dry cockpit and a self-draining floor.
The boat should have a deep floor with plenty of leg room and a very high boom to make tacking and gybing easy and an easy reefing system. Training schools teach capsize drills, so a boat that would be hard to invert, unless required, would also be a major benefit, also make it easy for a novice sailor to get upright. When righted the boat should be empty of water would be an excellent benefit. The boat should handle well in big sea conditions and should be able to be sailed by one or two adults. With a choice of spinnaker systems either asymmetric or symmetric.
The H12.2 has been exported to many countries and is used by holiday sailing companies and many of the leading sailing and training centres throughout the UK. The H12.2 is used by many families and has more than achieved its position in the sailing world.
We are proud to say all the benefits, plus more have been achieved. We believe the H12.2 dinghy is the most stable 12ft (3.65m) sailing dinghy in the world. Designed to give confidence and bring a smile to whoever sails the boat. The H12.2 was not designed to be a boring boat, with the right conditions it will get up and plain and be exciting to sail.
When we sell a new boat, Hartley Boats likes to complete a full boat handover. Not only to ensure that you understand how to rig your new boat but most importantly that you get the best from your new investment, enjoy sailing the boat and come off the water wanting to return and sail again.
We at Hartley Boats are very proud of our standards and build quality, to demonstrate that statement we are the only manufacturer to offer a 4-year guarantee. If you need your boat to be delivered, we can accommodate.
This was Hartley Boats hardest decision, would a similar sized boat to the Wayfarer affect the long -term sustainability of the Wayfarer’s future?
After many discussions we decided to go ahead with this 15.5ft (4.7m) rotor-moulded boat and in fact, we decided to look at its competitors first. The Wayfarer, the number one training boat found throughout the Country and shipped all over the world, together with the other rotor-moulded successful training boats.
We had the test results from the Wayfarer but needed to test and sail other rotor training boats to find out their strengths and weaknesses. After several months of testing we had our list of strengths and three difficult problems we needed to overcome. Having talked to many sailing schools, their general opinion was that when the boat was capsized the centreboard was too high making it difficult to right the boat in big winds, the shrouds flex and then load the genoa with far too much power, making it very difficult to control. Finally, a large rotor-moulded boat with large flat surfaces after several years of work, numerous cracks appeared.
These problems had to be thought through and solved, plus, we would take all the benefits from the number one training dinghy, the Wayfarer, with over 11,000 sailing and if we could find the team to design and incorporate all our requirements into this new H15 rotor-moulded boat, we would have a winner.
We found Glen Trustwell and Naval Architect Dan Holman who had worked on the Bahia and who were specialists in rotor boats. We produced for the H15 a requirement and benefits list taken from the Wayfarer Trainer and if we achieved the list, the H15 would become a world leader.
Hartley Boats requirements were, a STABLE boat to give confidence to a novice or established sailor. The boat should carry and be tested for 2 to 5 adults, comfortable seating, good depth to the floor and with plenty of leg room. A very high boom with a fitted Gnav to ensure all the forward space in the cockpit is clear, no boom problem on a tack or gybe, a self-draining cockpit with plenty of room for the helm to steer and drive the boat, but give more room for the crew so they have ample space to work and enjoy their sail. To ensure the boat shrouds would never flex and load the genoa in big winds, a special bar was introduced and fitted right through the boat from shroud to shroud, this has been a game changer and has been very successful.
With a maximum hull weight of only 139kgs this boat is easy to tow and makes launching and boat recovery a doddle. The requirement for an easy to use slab reefing main system with an internal roller furling genoa system, allows you to sail in very windy conditions but still be safe and very much in control. Fitted with an option of an asymmetric or symmetric spinnaker this puts the boat through its paces.
As with the Wayfarer the boat is at home in big seas and waves. It is a pleasure to helm this 15.5ft hull with its wide beam, it’s a joy as with the Wayfarer to sail.
Together with providing that extra stability should that learning mistake happen, it’s a very forgiving boat. For training, capsize drills are easy, the centreboard is easy to reach and one adult is able to safely right the boat.
The boat is very stable and two 18-year olds crossed the channel in 2019 in varied winds of up to 30mph, they found it exciting and reported the boat was fun to sail and would plain easily with great instant response. A great deal of time and effort was put in to make the H15 hull and deck in order that we produce a sleek and good-looking boat.
Boat Success
Being put through its paces for six months by the Royal Navy in their desire to replace the mighty Boson, which had given over 50 years’ service, we were delighted when the Royal Navy selected the H15 as its replacement. We have exported the H15 to many Countries and with the decision to buy a fleet of H15’s by Rockley Sailing School in Poole, together with many of the UK Sailing schools, many Sailing Centres and Holiday Companies then followed their lead. The H15 has also been bought by many private buyers who want no or little maintenance and, a boat that will be a dream to sail. It will last the rigours of time and take those little bumps and knocks. The H15 was designed and built with a great deal of curve through the deck and the floor to stop the boat cracking on flat surfaces and this has cured the problem.
Boat Benefits
When we sell a new boat, Hartley Boats likes to complete a full boat handover to ensure that you understand how to rig your new boat but most importantly that you get the best from your new investment and enjoy sailing the boat and come off the water and wanting to return and sail again.
We at Hartley Boats are very proud of our standards and build quality, to demonstrate that statement we are the only manufacturer to offer a 4-year guarantee. If you need your boat to be delivered, we can accommodate.
Over 20 years ago Hartley Boats were lucky enough to be offered a single-handed race dinghy. With no other-single hander racing boat in our stable, we jumped at the chance to buy the copyright, moulds and tooling for the Supernova.
As many Supernovas were sold each year the class was well supported and we immediately believed if we were to invest in new designs and tooling, we could make this boat into a very special and successful racing class.
After six months of rigorous testing and sailing the boat, we produced a list of changes and improvements we wanted to make to the original boat. We were by this time lucky enough to have worked with Phil Morrison our Naval Architect on other boats and he confirmed that he would be pleased to work with us on the Supernova.
The team goal was to make this already successful boat into a very special racing dinghy with a great future and take the class racing from thirty boats at the Nationals to over a hundred.
At Phil’s request we cut an existing hull in thin slices and returned it to Phil for him to begin his hard work. As with the Wayfarer, Wanderer and Kestrel we believed the boat sailed and handled like a dream and that we should not change the hull. The design changes would be made to the deck, floor, side tanks and the transom.
The final changes and improvements list were given to Phil and after many meetings we agreed the way forward. The list of requirements was by no means an easy challenge for Phil but he liked the boat and became as determined as we were to make it a success.
Make the boat easier to right after a capsize was the number one requirement, reduce the height of the dagger-board when capsized, reduce the size and buoyancy of the side tanks and get rid of that massive enclosed back tank. Move to an open transom, this would stop the fleet complaining that it takes too long to drain the boat after capsize.
Completely re-design the deck and cockpit, make the sitting position more comfortable but most important, we want the boat to look sleek, stylish and a boat you would want to sail, a boat and class that you would want to be part of.
The new boat at the first boat show looked stunning, it was liked and all the changes were successful. The class grew from strength to strength and we were on our way. But we also noticed that the majority of the boats were sold to clubs with existing Supernova fleets and when a boat was sold to a club with no other Supernova Sailors, within a few months the owner would sell the boat on and buy another boat. When we asked the owners “why did they sell the boat?” the same reply was repeated, “I am fed up of being beaten by a Laser sailor on handicap”. They impressed on me that they were better sailors than many of the Laser helms, but the handicap was too aggressive, this resulted in them selling their boat to be able to buy a boat that would give them a chance to win.
Two years later, having worked with the Supernova Committee to encourage clubs to get the results from all Supernova handicap races we set about getting the handicap changed, but we got nowhere, just frustration. Furthermore, Supernova new sailors that loved the boat were selling their boats due to the handicap. It was time to solve the problem. Hartley Boats presented the plan to solve the problem once and for all, to the full Supernova Committee.
The decision was to either call the boat a Nova because there was nothing Super about its performance or stay with the Supernova name but make the boat a Supernova. Hartley Boats plan was to make the boat lighter, stiffer and change from a GRP constructed boat to an epoxy boat. Set a total hull weight of 50kgs, this would produce the results we needed. Improve the foils, stiffen the dagger board case, fair the hull to ensure the new boat sails well to its PY handicap of 1077 and move the boat forward.
The changes were just what was needed, we now had a sleeker Supernova that could compete well in a handicap fleet and win if you are good enough sailor.
Why choose a Supernova over any other single hander?
The boat looks and is stunning, great to sail in big seas and strong winds the boat just goes faster, the hull shape gives you a stable but exciting ride, the side-decks are comfortable, tacking and gybing is easy, with a boom height that is easy to get under, a self-draining cockpit and a fully adjustable rig that you can adjust within seconds to allow you to sail in any conditions without fighting the boat.
Should you get the gybe wrong, with a sealed mast the reduced buoyancy side tanks allows the boat to float lower in the water. You don’t even have to get on the dagger board, just lean on the dagger board and she will come up, no need to go over the side just slide in through the open transom. The boat will be dry, just sheet-in and off you go.
The Supernova class are very friendly, welcoming and helpful, a great family but a very competitive fleet. With ages ranging from teenagers to grandads sailing, competing and enjoying the Supernova with a well-supported full racing calendar and a National Championship held every year and over a hundred boats competing to win that cherished National Champion badge.
When we sell a new boat Hartley Boats likes to complete a full boat handover to ensure that you fully understand how to rig your new boat but most importantly that you get the best from your new investment. We also tune your new Supernova and we go through the boat set-up for a beat, reach and run to ensure you are confident with your new boat.
We at Hartley Boats are very proud of our standards and build quality, to demonstrate that statement we are the only manufacturer to offer a 4-year guarantee. Should it be needed we are able to deliver.
I first got involved with the Wanderer having just bought the Copyright from the Proctor family. I was asked by the builder to attend a committee meeting with the Wanderer Class Association. At this meeting the whole committee raised their concerns regarding the build of the new version of the Wanderer and many of the committee were not happy with the new boat.
The main areas of discontent were the floor, which was very slippery. The boat was difficult to right after capsize and it came up full of water, this made the boat difficult to handle in heavy winds. In short, it was not a very good first meeting, “what had I bought?” I had spent thousands of £’s buying the Copyright, the patterns, moulds and tooling to now be told I had bought a bad boat.
The previous Wanderer was a successful boat with thousands of Wanderer’s cruising and sailing throughout the UK. It left me very disappointed and uncertain. Following that disastrous meeting, I turned to the then builder and asked him to find me a Wanderer and Hartley Boats would test the boat, maybe the committee were wrong and this was a great boat. I loved the size of the boat being 14ft (4.27m) it was ideal for small family sailing or single-handed sailing, weighing only 135kgs and much lighter than the Wayfarer, this had to be a great alternative to offer in the Hartley Boats stable range of boats.
The big day for testing the boat came, sunshine and good winds, Carsington Sailing Club was our destination. What would Mark, my son and I think? After a few minutes of sailing the boat we began to smile, the boat handled so well, it was a dream to sail, so stable, forgiving, responsive on the helm with superb balance. A long beat was followed by a reach, the boat came up on a plain and again it was a joy to sail, so steady and stable, it just gave me more confidence in the boat. The run was very stable and the boat felt just like a lighter Wayfarer to sail. Time to capsize the boat! “Mark, you stand on the side deck and capsize the boat”, Mark is 6’5” and 14.5 stone, the boat just went further down in the water. I then at 6’2” and weighing 14 stone stood on the side-deck with him, the boat just went further down, then stopped. It was only when we grabbed the shroud and lent back together that the boat capsized. I was amazed, how could this be in a 14ft (4.27m) dinghy, it was so stable, my confidence and view of this boat had changed.
Mark and I found righting the boat difficult, but when righted the boat was full of water, which then made the boat impossible to steer, full of water, just like trying to sail a bath. I then slipped on the floor and hit my head on the transom, we found trying to sail the boat and clear the water impossible so we went ashore.
The committee were right, this fantastic Wanderer had been destroyed with the newly designed interior. We decided we would not build this newly designed Wanderer as this was a boat we did not want to sail ourselves and we would not be happy to sell to our customers. I rang Phil Morrison, our Naval Architect who had designed and helped us improve the Wayfarer, he would be the right man to sort the Wanderer. We were delighted with the sailing qualities of the Wanderer, if we could sort the problems, we would have a world leader.
With the requirements and benefits list completed and at a meeting with Phil Morrison, we delivered our list of requirements. The changes were, do not change the hull, this gives the Wanderer a terrific advantage over other sailing dinghies of its size, it is so stable and forgiving. The chined designed hull by the best Naval Architect Ian Proctor is unique. The buoyancy in the side-tanks as with many other dinghies had to be reduced as this made the boat float too high, with too much air in the tank. You have to push under the water to right the boat and this is hard work, by reducing the capacity this would give a great benefit, STABLE, and not difficult to be righted, in-turn a much safer boat to sail. Remove the bath of water in the boat when it comes up, a few inches of water that can be drained would be great. Make sure you can still sit the Wanderer on a mooring, we did not want to lose this key benefit.
We want a stunning boat with style that sailors would want to buy and own, flatten the foredeck, fit an easy to launch and retrieve spinnaker system, make the boat able to have an asymmetric or symmetric spinnaker system and give customers a choice. Make more room for the crew. Move the thwart further aft in the boat, drop the inner skin nearer to the outer hull skin giving more depth to in-turn provide more leg room and more comfortable. Put the bailers out of the way under the thwart and to fit rear draining tubes would be another benefit. Ensure it’s a self-draining floor with the minimum of boat maintenance needed.
Yes, get rid of that bulbous foredeck, make the boat stylish and sleeker and incorporate all these requirements and benefits would be great.
Phil Morrison’s respect for the original designer Ian Proctor came through loud and clear, he decided with my team that the changes had to be right for the long-term success of this stylish boat. All these changes and benefits have transformed and improved the boat beyond the dreams of Hartley Boats.
We now have the most STABLE and safest 14ft (4.27m) sailing dinghy money can buy. The very best sailing dinghy of its size designed to carry up to four adults or, with a few simple modification can be sailed easily and safely by just one person by leading the kicker, cunningham and centre board to the centre of the boat in order that the helm can fully control the boat without having to move from his seat.
With an option of slab reefing main and a reefable genoa system the boat can be de-powered within twenty-five seconds following big wind changes and makes the boat easy to handle, whatever the wind conditions. There is also the option to fit either an asymmetric or symmetric spinnaker system and gives the customer the choice of what is the best for them. Additional options of back seats, a rear storage box to carry an outboard engine, dry clothes and that essential cheese and wine, or to fit oars to give that real flexibility for the sailor.
We offer the choice of colours for your hull, foredeck, cockpit and non-slip floor. The boat weighs just 135kgs and is easy to transport and tow, which makes launch and recovery a doddle.
The new boat can be built to your specification whether on a limited budget or with all the bells and whistles. You decide your requirements with the knowledge that the Hartley Boats Team will give you sound advice to ensure you get the fit-out right for your needs.
The Wanderer Class Association have a large fleet of cruising members with training weekends and cruising trips not only in the UK but sometimes abroad. This is a friendly and family outing with the experienced members passing on all their experience and knowledge to new cruising family’s. When a new owner buys a Wanderer a full year’s membership to the Cruising Association is offered, free.
When we sell a new boat, Hartley Boats likes to complete a full boat handover. To ensure that you understand how to rig your new boat but most importantly that you get the best from your new investment and enjoy sailing the boat and come of the water wanting to return and sail again.
We at Hartley Boats are very proud of our standards and build quality, to demonstrate that statement we are the only manufacturer to offer a 4-year guarantee. Should it be needed we are able to deliver.
Why does Hartley Boats believe that the Wayfarer is the best 16ft (4.88m) dinghy in the world? Simply because this is the most STABLE sailing dinghy of its size ever built.
The only dinghy that you can stand two adults on the side deck and the boat will still not capsize, this is due to the best dinghy Naval Architect in the world at the time Ian Proctor. His vision, to build the hull in a chined style method and to incorporate stability characteristics that would be unique and set this boat apart from all the other dinghies at the time of build and for many years to come. With a proven track record of over sixty years.
Successfully sailed in eighteen countries throughout the world, used by over 1,700 sailing schools, training centres and by many holiday sailing schools, with nearly 12,000 boats sold throughout the world. The only sailing dinghy to sail from the UK waters to Denmark, with numerous channel crossings and just last year three Wayfarers circumnavigated completely round the UK. This is a very special boat and we at Hartley Boats are very proud to be the builder.
In 1995 when Hartley Boats was founded, the first boat we started to build was the Kestrel Race dinghy. This was a safe and quick boat but, with a rounded hull it was easy to capsize. Several months later we were fortunate to be offered the Wayfarer Copyright, patterns and the tooling. This was an opportunity we jumped at, with a massive investment but we were determined to buy, an opportunity like this could not be missed.
As the deal would take several months to complete we decided we should buy a new Wayfarer from Moore’s, the existing builder and we should sail and test the boat to ensure we understood thoroughly all the qualities and benefits of the boat. The first sail was at a Wayfarer open race meeting in the Solent, big seas and strong winds, this was a good opportunity to test the boat. On the first gybe mark as novice sailors we capsized, we were too slow and allowed the boat to invert. We took a long time getting the boat back up and when righted we got the shock of our lives when we found it full of water, just like a bath. Trying to sail a bath in big waves with strong winds was horrifying for two novice sailors, this was the end of our race. I could only think “I have made a mistake and bought a bad boat”. Was I right with my views, with over 1,700 sailing schools and thousands of sailors, not just in the UK using the boat, who was Hartley Boats to criticise the number one cruising dinghy in the world?
Hartley Boats second sail was to sail the boat in medium winds, the boat was a joy to sail, light on the tiller, fabulous response and well balanced, we felt we could sail across the channel. The next step was to capsize the boat, so I asked my crew who was 6ft 5” and weighing 14.5 stone to stand on the side-deck, lean back on the shrouds and pull the boat over, the boat dipped then stopped! I was 6ft 2” and weighed 14.5 stone, so I stood on the side-deck with my crew and we went a little further down into the water and then stopped again. My crew and I had to swing off the shrouds to force the Wayfarer over, I was shocked and amazed how STABLE the boat was and I now knew why the boat was so successful. My joy, my whole view of the boat changed, this is the number one cruising dinghy in the world, if I could improve its bad points and weaknesses, I would have a world leader.
This special boat would need the best Naval Architect to achieve the very best results. This was an easy decision as we had previously worked with Phil Morrison. Having had time to compile a list of improvements and benefits we would like to see implemented to the old boat, we would meet Phil and convince him of the changes required and get him cracking with the list of changes.
The changes were, do not change the hull as this gives the Wayfarer a terrific advantage over any other sailing dinghy of its size, it is so STABLE and so forgiving. Reduce the buoyancy in the side tanks as with many other dinghies they float too high with too much air in the tank. You have to push under the water to right the boat, this is hard work, reducing the capacity would give a great benefit, being stable but not difficult to be righted and in-turn a much safer boat to sail. Remove the bath of water in the boat when it comes up, a couple of inches of water that can be easily drained would be great. Make sure you can still sit the Wayfarer on a mooring, we did not want to lose that key benefit.
We want a stunning boat with style that sailors would want to buy and own, flatten the foredeck, fit an easy to launch and retrieve spinnaker system, make the boat able to have an asymmetric or symmetric spinnaker system, make more room for the crew. Move the thwart further aft in the boat, drop the inner skin nearer to the outer hull skin giving more depth to in-turn provide more leg room and make the boat more comfortable, put the bailers out of the way under the thwart, fit rear draining tubes would be another benefit. Ensure it’s a self-draining floor with the minimum of boat maintenance needed.
Yes, get rid of that bulbous foredeck, make the boat stylish, sleeker and if we could incorporate the list of requirements and benefits, that would be great. At this point in the meeting Phil turned to address my whole team and said “my name is Phil Morrison not Jesus Christ”.
Phil Morrisons respect for the original designer Ian Proctor came through loud and clear, he had decided with our team that the changes had to be right for the long-term success of this special boat. All the changes and benefits have transformed and improved the boat beyond the dreams of Hartley Boats. We now have the most STABLE and safest 16ft (4.88m) sailing dinghy money can buy, the very best sailing dinghy of its size, designed to carry up to six adults or with fitting modification can be sailed easily and safely by just one person by leading the kicker, cunningham and centreboard controls to the centre of the boat, in order that the helm can fully control the boat without having to move from his seat. Launch and recovery is also made easy for a single-handed sailor with our simple ball-hitch adapter kit fitted to your launching trolley. Just hitch up and reverse your trolley into the water.
With an option of slab reefing main and a reefable genoa system the boat can be de-powered within twenty-five seconds following big wind changes, this makes the boat easy to handle, whatever the wind conditions. There is also the option to fit either, an asymmetric or symmetric spinnaker system and give the customer the choice of which option is the best for them. Additional options are back seats, a rear storage box to carry an outboard engine, dry clothes and of course the essential, cheese and wine. We can also fit oars to give that real flexibility for the sailor.
The new boat can be built to your specification be it to a limited budget or with all the bells and whistles, you decide your requirements with the knowledge that the Hartley Boats Team will give you sound advice to ensure you get the fit-out right for your needs.
The Wayfarer Class Association have a large fleet of cruising members with training weekends and cruising trips not only in the UK, but sometimes abroad. This is a friendly and family outing with the experienced members passing on all their experience and knowledge to other new cruising family’s. When a new owner buys a Wayfarer, a full year’s membership to the Cruising Association is offered, free. A new option offered by Hartley Boats is a tent, to convert your cruising Wayfarer to be able to sleep on-board, this will enhance your cruising experience.
We offer the choice of colour for the foredeck, cockpit and non-slip floor as well as the hull colour. The boat weighs 183kgs and is a doddle to transport and tow.
When we sell a new boat, Hartley Boats likes to complete a full boat handover. Not only to ensure that you understand how to rig your new boat but most importantly that you get the best from your new investment and enjoy sailing the boat and come of the water wanting to return and sail again.
We at Hartley Boats are very proud of our standards and build quality, to demonstrate that statement we are the only manufacturer to offer a 4-year guarantee. Should it be needed we are able to deliver.
This boat is designed for those sailors whose swimming days are over, those sailors with partners, family and friends who want to be safe and not worry about the possibility of a capsize.
Please see read below to give you a full understanding of how we have developed from the Wayfarer to the Weekender.
Having spent thousands of pounds from my pension pot buying the worlds very best 16ft dinghy, the Wayfarer, a dinghy rated at the top of all other dinghies for stability and handling capabilities in big seas with strong wind's.
For many years I asked my naval architect 'could you improve the Wayfarer, can it be done?', the answer was 'YES'.
Hartley Boats are proud to announce the launch of our new Wayfarer Weekender.
How, you might ask, can I state that this is the best cruising boat in the world? It is as follows; the boom is higher (more headroom), controls led back to centre, reefs down in seconds with slab reefing on the main and our furling reefable genoa system. Then, take weight out of the construction and fit a 60kg cast-iron centreboard this making the boat virtually impossible to capsize. When forced over it will not invert and rights itself and, when in water with water on its sails just a little help with one hand on the centreboard and the boat rights.
The boat is so stable and easy to sail.
During testing with full sails, asymmetric kite flying in windy conditions, gybing, sailing single-handed was easy. The decision to take the weight out of the hull and out into the 60kg cast-iron centreboard has delivered a well-balanced training boat that does not require a more powerful rig.
The most stable 16ft dinghy in the world, now with its 60kg cast-iron ballasted centreboard. When sailing in heavy winds the boat just luffs up into the wind instead of capsizing, the boat is virtually impossible to capsize. A lighter construction to compensate for its 60kg ballasted centreboard makes handling on and off the water easy. The easy and quick to reef (within seconds) slab reefing main and its furling reefable genoa system, high-boom and controls led to centre cockpit and with a choice of asymmetric or symmetric spinnaker makes this boat a must for cruising sailors.
We now have the very best cruising boat money can buy.
