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Designed by: Phil Morrison 2026
‘Tell it as it is’, the words uttered to me by my father many years ago, OK, tell it as it is.
Having agreed to build, my naval architect, Phil Morrison, a special youth racing dinghy which was designed to be sleek and quick. In short, an all singing and dancing youth boat. I was, to say the least, indifferent about this new boat and its limited market. But, when Mark and I saw the CAD drawings, yes, the boat looked stunning and with the sleek hull design it had to be fast, in fact, the fastest dinghy of its size available.
We called this boat a Nova and launched it at the 2025 RYA Dinghy Show. The plan was to use the rest of the year to settle down, coupled with the demand for the new Zenith with its ballasted centreboard, having sold over 100 boats kept us very busy. Now being booked to make Zeniths until July 2026 (without any advertising campaign).
With many customers wishing to order a Zenith but being advised ‘sorry, you are too light, the boat is made for helms 70kg – 120kg’ most sailors were so disappointed.
But, when we explained that we had already designed and made a smaller version of the Zenith, the Zen, for helms 60kg – 85kg, they were delighted.
Both Mark and I, over a well-earned pint, have discussed several times the Nova and its future marketing along with the possible changes we could make to improve its long-term success. Having reviewed the testing results when sailing in very difficult and windy conditions, we decided that we should change the script of the Nova to include all the testing results information. The Nova is in-fact thrilling and exciting to sail with a quick turn of speed, quick on a beat and reach, breathtaking. On the run you will need to be quick and responsive or be ready for a swim. This is a thoroughbred. You need to be a good sailor with plenty of skill and determination as well as not being worried about the occasional swim.
With the hull weight of only 35kg you need to be an experienced sailor to fully enjoy the Nova.
During a team meeting my loft manager, Steve, suggested ‘if you were to fit a ballasted centreboard to the Nova, what a great combination you would have. The very best performing lightweight sailing dinghy for helms between 40kg – 70kg. A fast, thrilling race boat without the capsizing or swimming lessons. In short, a fantastic race boat for lighter sailors of all ages.
The decision was made to move forward and add a fourth boat to the Zenith range, a lightweight boat for helms between 40kg – 70kg fitted with a ballasted centreboard, it would be the called the Zee.
Explaining the desire to transform this very special 35kg hull into a ballasted centreboard version with a new deck layout as with the other Zenith boats to Phil Morrisson came as a surprise. Soon Phil, Mark and I agreed the way forward leaving Phil to get on with the new deck design.
Now having the experience of building the Zenith, Zen and Zenith 2 we have so much knowledge, skill set and technique that this last Zee (Zenith boat) will benefit from all the work and experience gained when building all the Zenith boats. The boat will be released later in 2026.
The Zee committee is formed, the 2026 calendar organised and set with 7 open meetings throughout the Country, an Inland Championship at Blithfield SC and the National Championships at Poole it is going to be a great and exciting year for the Zenith family Sailors.
Racing will commence with the fastest boat, the Zenith 2, starting first with the Zenith starting 5 minutes behind and the Zen starting 5 minutes after the Zenith and finally the Zee, being the slowest starting 5 minutes behind the Zen.
It is intended to have Inland Nationals and Open Meetings for each of the Zenith range of boats. As well as great sailing, there will be great onshore times had for the family, good food, drinks and entertainment with a very welcoming and friendly family atmosphere. I invite all sailors to join the growing concept of Zenith sailing.
