soling sailboat hull speed

Soling Sailboat: The Ultimate Guide to Racing and Cruising

by Emma Sullivan | Jul 19, 2023 | Sailboat Maintenance

soling sailboat hull speed

Short answer: Soling sailboat

The Soling is a popular one-design keelboat introduced in 1965. It is a three-person racing yacht known for its stability, durability, and competitive performance. With a length of 27 feet and strict class rules, it has been sailed competitively around the world in various championships and is highly regarded within the sailing community.

Introduction to the Soling Sailboat: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you ready to embark on a sailing adventure that will test your skills, challenge your wit, and ignite your passion for the open sea? Look no further than the Soling sailboat – a remarkable vessel that has captured the hearts of sailors around the world with its thrilling performance and undeniable charm. In this comprehensive guide, we will dive deep into everything you need to know about this legendary sailboat.

History and Origins:

The story of the Soling sailboat begins in Norway in 1965 when designer Jan Linge set out to create a boat that would excel in both club racing and international competition. His vision resulted in the birth of what would become one of the most successful keelboats of all time – the Soling. Since then, it has been chosen as an Olympic class three times and has earned an esteemed reputation for its excellent sailing characteristics.

Design and Features:

The allure of the Soling sailboat lies not only in its rich history but also in its impeccable design. With a length overall (LOA) of 8.22 meters (or 27 feet), it strikes a perfect balance between agility and stability on the water. The single-masted rig configuration allows for effortless handling, while its moderate displacement ensures superb upwind performance.

This beauty comes with other noteworthy features as well. Its powerful hull design facilitates easy planning while maintaining control even at high speeds – a true testament to balanced engineering. The self-bailing cockpit prevents any unwanted accumulation of water, ensuring dry sailing even during intense races or choppy offshore adventures.

Performance:

When it comes to exhilarating performance, few sailboats can rival the Soling. Its large mainsail combined with a jib provides ample power to navigate diverse wind conditions effortlessly. Whether you’re competing against fellow sailors or enjoying leisurely day sails with friends, this boat’s exceptional upwind ability will make you feel like a true master of the sea.

Moreover, the Soling sailboat’s symmetrical spinnaker reveals its prowess downwind. As it fills with wind and billows out, you’ll experience an adrenaline rush that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Brace yourself for heart-pounding moments as you ride the waves with ease, propelled by this sailboat’s remarkable speed and stability.

Community and Camaraderie:

Sailing isn’t just about mastering techniques and maneuvering a boat; it is also about forming lifelong connections with fellow sailors who share your love for the sport. The Soling sailboat boasts a vibrant global community that cherishes camaraderie both on and off the water.

From local club regattas to international competitions, Soling sailors gather to compete, exchange knowledge, and celebrate their shared passion. Connect with like-minded individuals who excel in this exhilarating realm of sailing, where learning never stops and friendships thrive.

In Conclusion:

If you’re seeking a sailboat that embodies elegance, performance, and legendary status – look no further than the Soling. With its rich history, impeccable design features, outstanding performance capabilities, and tight-knit community of enthusiasts worldwide, this extraordinary vessel offers an unparalleled sailing experience. So grab your sunscreen, hoist those sails high, and embark on an adventure that will leave you breathless – for there is nothing quite like navigating the open seas aboard a Soling sailboat!

How to Sail a Soling Sailboat: Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide

Are you a beginner in the world of sailing? Do you dream of gliding gracefully across the open waters, harnessing the power of the wind to propel you forward? If so, you’re in luck because today we are going to take you through a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to sail a Soling sailboat. Get ready to embark on an exciting adventure!

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with the Soling Sailboat Before setting sail, it’s essential to become acquainted with your vessel. The Soling sailboat is a popular choice amongst sailors due to its versatility and speed. This sleek single-masted racing boat features a three-person crew, making it an excellent option for both competitive racing and recreational sailing.

Take some time to inspect every aspect of your boat, from bow (front) to stern (back), and become familiar with its different parts. Understand the purpose of each component, such as the mainsail, jib sail, rudder, tiller, and hiking straps. Knowing these details will give you confidence and enable better communication with your crewmates.

Step 2: Plan Your Route and Check Weather Conditions The next crucial step in sailing any vessel is planning your route. Familiarize yourself with local navigation charts or use a GPS system to map out your journey. Identify any potential obstacles or hazards along your path such as rocks or shallow areas that could present challenges.

Additionally, check weather conditions before setting sail. As a beginner sailor learning how to handle a Soling sailboat effectively, it is advisable to choose days when winds are moderate rather than exceptionally strong or gusty. Keep an eye out for storms or adverse weather patterns that might affect safety.

Step 3: Rigging and Setting Up Your Sailboat Now it’s time to rig and set up your Soling sailboat! Begin by assembling the mast and attaching all necessary components securely – shrouds, stays, and spreaders. Make sure all nuts and bolts are tightened correctly.

Next, hoist the mainsail up the mast by pulling on the halyard. Make sure to attach it properly to avoid any potential mishaps while sailing. Attach and set your jib sail if you plan on using it – this will increase maneuverability in higher wind conditions.

Step 4: Docking and Departure Before you embark on your sailing journey, ensure a safe departure from the dock. Double-check that your lines (ropes) are untied or cast off from the dock cleats carefully. Have one crew member gently push against another object or use an oar or boat hook to prevent any contact with other boats or docks while disembarking.

Make proper use of fenders (buoyant cushions) to protect both your Soling sailboat and neighboring vessels during departure. Remember, communication is key during this process! Assign specific roles to each crew member to ensure a smooth transition from dockside to open water.

Step 5: Sailing Techniques With all necessary preparations complete, now it’s time for the real fun – sailing! The Soling sailboat relies heavily on teamwork between crew members as you work together harmoniously to harness nature’s power effectively.

To sail upwind (towards where the wind is coming), experiment with trimming (adjusting) both your mainsail and jib sail according to wind direction using sheets (lines attached to sails). Balance steering with weight distribution – when heading upwind, lean outboard using hiking straps known as “hiking out.” This technique increases leverage against heeling forces caused by strong winds.

For downwind sailing (with the wind behind you), ease out your sails fully for maximum power utilization. Control boat speed by adjusting rudder angle while keeping a watchful eye on surrounding hazards such as swimmers or other boats.

Step 6: Safety Precautions and Emergency Procedures Always prioritize safety while sailing. Ensure every crew member wears a well-fitted personal flotation device (PFD) at all times. Additionally, designate someone as the lookout to maintain awareness of nearby vessels or potential dangers.

In case of an emergency, be well-versed in essential safety skills such as recovering a person overboard, knowing how to deploy flares or distress signals, and understanding basic first aid techniques. While emergencies are rare, knowing how to handle them effectively will provide peace of mind for you and your fellow sailors.

Sailing a Soling sailboat can be an exhilarating and fulfilling experience for beginners wanting to delve into the world of sailing. By following these step-by-step guidelines, you’ll become equipped with the knowledge needed to handle this remarkable vessel confidently.

So grab your compass, hoist those sails high, and embark on an unforgettable sailing adventure with the majestic Soling sailboat!

Top FAQs about Soling Sailboats Answered

Welcome to our blog where we answer the top FAQs about Soling Sailboats. If you’re an avid sailor or just curious about these amazing vessels, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll provide detailed professional answers while keeping it witty and clever. So, let’s dive in!

1. What is a Soling Sailboat? A Soling Sailboat is a three-person keelboat that was designed by Jan Herman Linge from Norway and first built in 1965. It quickly gained popularity due to its competitive racing nature and became an Olympic class boat in 1972.

2. Why are Soling Sailboats popular among sailors? Solings are loved by sailors for their exceptional performance and thrilling sailing experience. Their unique design allows them to maneuver well in various conditions, making them suitable for both relaxed cruising and intense racing.

3. What makes Soling Sailboats stand out? One standout feature of Soling Sailboats is their fixed keel, which provides stability and allows for better upwind sailing performance compared to boats with swing keels or centerboards. This, combined with its powerful sail plan, grants the crew excellent control over the boat.

4. Can I solo sail a Soling Sailboat? While it’s possible to sail a Soling alone, it’s primarily designed as a three-person boat with easy handling and teamwork in mind. However, experienced sailors might enjoy the challenge of sailing solo on occasion.

5. Are there different classes or versions of Soling Sailboats? No, there is only one class of Solings recognized worldwide, ensuring fair competition across all races. While modifications are allowed within certain limits set by the International Soling Association (ISA), this ensures that boats remain relatively equal in terms of speed potential.

6. How fast can a Soling Sailboat go? Solings can achieve impressive speeds depending on wind conditions and the skill of the crew. The top speeds recorded by Soling Sailboats range from 7 to 14 knots, delivering a thrilling experience for sailors and spectators alike.

7. Is maintenance for Soling Sailboats challenging? Like any boat, Solings require regular maintenance to keep them in top condition. However, thanks to their simple rigging and design, maintaining a Soling is relatively straightforward compared to more complex sailboats.

8. Can I race a Soling Sailboat? Absolutely! Racing is the heart of the Soling class. Whether you’re an experienced racer or just starting out, competing in local or international events will provide endless excitement and opportunities to improve your skills.

9. Are there any famous sailors associated with Solings? Yes, several renowned sailors have made their mark within the world of Solings. The most notable being Poul Richard Hoj-Jensen from Denmark who won four Olympic medals in this class during his career.

10. Where can I find Soling Sailboats for sale? If you’re interested in owning a Soling Sailboat, there are various websites and forums dedicated to buying and selling sailing boats where you can find listings specifically for Solings. Connecting with local sailing communities is also an effective way to explore available options.

We hope this blog has provided informative and entertaining answers to your top FAQs about Soling Sailboats. Whether you’re intrigued by their design or considering racing one yourself, exploring the world of Solings will undoubtedly be an unforgettable adventure on the water!

Exploring the Anatomy of a Soling Sailboat

Welcome aboard, fellow sailors and sailing enthusiasts! In today’s blog post, we’re embarking on an exciting journey to explore the anatomy of a Soling sailboat. The Soling class has been cherished by many sailors worldwide, and understanding its components is vital for both beginners and experienced sailors alike. So, let’s dive in!

1. Hull: The Soling’s hull serves as its foundation, making it one of the most critical parts of the boat. Usually constructed from fiberglass or wood, the hull contributes to stability and buoyancy while also determining its speed capabilities. With sleek lines and a streamlined shape, the Soling hull effortlessly slices through waves, giving you an exhilarating ride.

2. Keel: Situated beneath the hull is the keel – a large fin-like structure responsible for maintaining stability and preventing excessive sideways drift (also known as leeway). The keel acts as a counterbalance against wind forces, allowing you to maintain control even in gusty conditions. Its intricate design ensures optimum performance against varying water depths.

3. Rudder: At the opposite end of the boat sits the rudder – your ultimate steering control system. Connected to the tiller or steering wheel inside the cockpit, this cleverly designed appendage enables precise maneuverability by redirecting water flow under pressure. With efficient rudder adjustments, you can smoothly navigate through tight turns or confidently stay on course wherever you choose to sail.

4. Mast: Standing tall and proud above deck is the mast – a symbolic centerpiece that gives your Soling sailboat its distinctive charm. Typically made of aluminum or carbon fiber, this vertical support holds up your sails while providing structural integrity to withstand powerful wind gusts. A carefully balanced rig tension makes all the difference between exhilarating speed and handling challenges.

5. Sails: Ahoy matey! Our attention now turns towards arguably one of the most captivating aspects of sailing – those elegant sails billowing in the wind. The Soling features a mainsail, jib, and spinnaker. The mainsail, positioned directly behind the mast, provides basic driving force. Jibs are smaller triangular sails located at the bow, manipulating airflow to assist in steering. Finally, the spinnaker is a large, colorful sail hoisted when running with the wind from behind – it’s like unleashing your boat’s hidden superpower!

6. Rigging: While less noticeable than other components, rigging plays an essential role in maintaining the overall integrity of your Soling sailboat. Consisting of wires or ropes that support the mast and sails, proper rigging tension ensures optimal control and performance by distributing forces evenly.

7. Cockpit: Ahh…the captain’s domain! The Soling’s cockpit serves as your sailing command center for safe navigation and tactical decisions during races or leisurely cruises. Equipped with various controls such as sheets (ropes that trim the sails), winches for easier line handling, and a compass to stay on course – this area reflects both functionality and style.

8. Trampoline: Picture yourself lying down on a horizontal mesh enjoying the refreshing spray of water below you – welcome to the world of Soling trampolines! Stretching across its foredeck platform between hulls, these net-like surfaces provide additional seating options while reducing weight aloft.

So dear sailors, as we disembark from our exploration into the anatomy of a Soling sailboat, we hope you have gained valuable insights into its intricate components that make this class so beloved among sailors worldwide. Remember though – sailing is not merely about understanding these parts individually but rather their harmonious collaboration to create an unforgettable experience on water. Bon voyage!

Soling Sailboat Maintenance Tips and Tricks for Longevity

Title: Unlock the Secrets to Longevity with Soling Sailboat Maintenance Tips and Tricks

Introduction: As passionate sailors, we understand the profound connection one can foster with their beloved soling sailboat. These graceful vessels have the power to transport us, both physically and emotionally, as we navigate the vast expanses of open water. To ensure our sailboats retain their splendor for years to come, it is crucial to prioritize regular maintenance and utilize a few clever tricks unique to soling sailboats. In this blog post, we present you with a comprehensive guide on soling sailboat maintenance tips and tricks that will guarantee longevity while injecting a dash of wit along the way.

1. Protect Your Hull’s Integrity: The hull serves as the backbone of any sailboat, including your trusty soling. To preserve its integrity, start by regularly inspecting it for any signs of damage or wear. Stickler for cleanliness? Give your hull some love by washing away salt residue after each voyage using a mild detergent solution – remember; cleanliness equals longevity!

2. Befriend Your Mast: Your mast is more than just an accessory; it holds immense significance in maintaining overall stability on the water. A witty trick here is to apply a thin layer of high-quality wax on your mast’s surface to reduce friction while lowering the chances of saltwater corrosion. This simple step significantly prolongs the life of your mast.

3. Rigging Reinvented: Ensuring your rigging remains in top shape is pivotal towards smooth sailing adventures aboard your soling sailboat. Maintain solidity by frequently inspecting wires and ropes for fraying or unwelcome visitors like rust or corrosion (cue hilarious “Sailing Bug Wanted” poster!). Licorice enthusiasts may find delight in applying an effective licorice gel coating around any fittings to keep rust at bay – who knew candy could save your rigging?

4. The Power of Lubrication: Winches, blocks, and cleats – the unsung heroes of a sailboat’s efficiency and success. To keep these pivotal elements in working order, lubricate them periodically with marine-grade lubricant. Ensure the universe aligns your witty moments by lubricating pun-free; too much grease hilarity might take away from the sailing experience!

5. The Devil in the Details (of Teak): Oh teak, you may be stunning, but maintaining your luster is an art form unto itself. Keep your soling sailboat’s teak deck looking dashing by regularly scrubbing it with a soft-bristle brush and mild detergent solution. Treat the wood to a spa day with teak oil or sealant every couple of years – pampered wood rewards you with longevity.

6. A Checklist for Trailer Queens: For those who care for their soling sailboats on land rather than rocking waves, never underestimate the importance of proper trailer maintenance. Check tires for cracks or signs of wear, inspect brakes diligently (no need to sniff out fouls here!), and keep an attentive eye out for loose fittings or rust formation. A well-maintained trailer ensures your vibrant sails touch every conceivable horizon.

Conclusion: In conclusion, granting your soling sailboat a long life requires diligence, care, and a sprinkle of wit along the way. By following these maintenance tips and tricks tailored explicitly for soling sailboats, you can navigate any sea with confidence while soaking up memories that will last a lifetime. Remember: regular inspections offer peace of mind amid tempestuous voyages and allow witty sailors to truly embrace their inner jokester without compromising durability!

Taking Your Soling Sailboat to New Heights: Advanced Techniques and Strategies

Welcome to our blog section where we delve into the exciting world of sailing and explore advanced techniques and strategies to take your Soling sailboat to new heights. In this blog post, we will equip you with professional insights, clever tactics, and witty anecdotes that will help unleash your inner sailor extraordinaire. So buckle up and get ready to set sail!

1. Mastering Wind Dynamics: Understanding the wind is paramount when it comes to sailing success. Delving beyond the basics of wind direction and speed, advanced sailors must learn about true wind versus apparent wind, how wind shifts affect boat performance, and how to optimize their sails for maximum speed in various wind conditions. By mastering these concepts, you’ll be able to navigate through even the trickiest winds like a seasoned pro.

2. Fine-Tuning Sail Trim: A crucial aspect of sailing excellence lies in the ability to fine-tune your sail trim as conditions change. An advanced sailor knows that minute adjustments can make all the difference in boat performance. We’ll cover topics such as proper sail shape, cunningham use for flattening the mainsail in heavy winds, vang tension adjustment for better control over leech tension, and genoa trimming techniques for optimizing speed while pointing high into the wind.

3. Perfecting Boat Balance: Achieving optimal boat balance ensures smoother handling and greater speed on the water. We’ll explore how adjusting weight distribution (crew placement) affects overall stability and maneuverability during different points of sail – upwind, downwind, or reaching. Additionally, we’ll discuss techniques such as heel angle management for maximizing forward propulsion without sacrificing control.

4. Tackling Upwind Tactics: When competing or navigating upwind stretches like a champ isn’t enough anymore; it’s time to delve into advanced upwind tactics! This section covers advanced techniques such as using telltales effectively for trimming sails based on airflow patterns rather than gut instincts alone, proper weight shifting during tacks, utilizing strategic maneuvers such as roll tacks or ducking to gain tactical advantage over competitors, and understanding the optimal angles of sail for efficient upwind progress.

5. Expanding Downwind Performance: Riding the wind on downwind legs can be exhilarating, but it requires a different set of skills altogether. To take your Soling sailboat to new heights, we’ll delve into advanced techniques like using symmetrical and asymmetrical spinnakers effectively, understanding gybing techniques that minimize speed loss and maximize overall velocity made good (VMG), mastering various downwind sail trim variations based on wind angles and sailor preferences, and implementing strategic tactics like surfing waves or performing controlled broaches for tactical gains.

6. Navigating with Precision: Advanced strategies demand precision navigation skills. In this section, we will discuss sophisticated methods for better course management using electronic navigational aids like GPS chartplotters or smartphone apps complemented by traditional dead reckoning. We’ll also touch upon leveraging tide tables and current predictions to optimize your route planning and gain an edge in both racing and cruising scenarios.

7. Race Day Mindset & Strategies: For those looking to take their Soling sailboat to competitive levels, a winning mindset is crucial. We’ll guide you through mental preparation techniques that help maintain focus amid intense race scenarios or long-distance challenges. Additionally, you’ll learn race-specific strategies such as starting line approaches, mark rounding tactics while jockeying for position with other boats, utilizing tactical coverings or forcing opponents into unfavorable positions – all in pursuit of crossing the finish line first!

So there you have it! Our detailed exploration of advanced techniques and strategies to elevate your sailing game with a Soling sailboat. Armed with professional insights along with our cleverly crafted tips and tricks, we invite you to embark on this thrilling journey that will undoubtedly transform you into a skilled sailor capable of navigating any challenge thrown your way. Fair winds and smooth sailing!

Recent Posts

Essential Tips

  • Sailboat Gear and Equipment
  • Sailboat Lifestyle
  • Sailboat Maintenance
  • Sailboat Racing
  • Sailboat Tips and Tricks
  • Sailboat Types
  • Sailing Adventures
  • Sailing Destinations
  • Sailing Safety
  • Sailing Techniques

The Soling is a 26.75ft fractional sloop designed by Jan Linge and built in fiberglass by Abbott Boats Inc. since 1966.

The Soling is a light sailboat which is a very high performer. It is very stable / stiff and has a good righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a racing boat.

Soling for sale elsewhere on the web:

soling sailboat hull speed

Main features

Login or register to personnalize this screen.

You will be able to pin external links of your choice.

soling sailboat hull speed

See how Sailboatlab works in video

soling sailboat hull speed

We help you build your own hydraulic steering system - Lecomble & Schmitt

Accommodations

Builder data, other photos.

soling sailboat hull speed

Modal Title

The content of your modal.

Personalize your sailboat data sheet

The Soling Class History

The Soling history actually began in the mind of Jan Linge during the late 50’s while he was doing design work and tank testing on a 5.5 metre to be built for a Norwegian friend for sailing in the 1960 Olympics.  The friend, Finn Ferner, was a successful businessman and an outstanding helmsman, an Olympic medallist and winner of many international events.  Linge had become convinced that a slightly smaller boat with a detached spade rudder and short keel could be a fast seaworthy boat with the likelihood of great popularity – though such features were not allowed under the 5.5 rules.

After 1960 Linge completed his design sketches to demonstrate his ideas for promoting a Norwegian national class.  These seeds fell on barren ground for about two years, while the IYRU was reaching a decision to encourage more international classes – to take advantage of the research and materials developed during World War II, then becoming available for new domestic products – materials like plastics, synethetic yarns, glass fibre, as substitutes for wood and cotton.

IYRU seeks new classes

By the time of the 1961 IYRU meetings, the forces for change had organized themselves to seek four new classes – a single hander as companion to the Finn, a two-man keelboat to complement the Star, a three-man keelboat like the 5.5 or Dragon, finally a catamaran. The FD already had its companion in the 5 0 5., so there was no need for another centreboarder – 470’s, Lasers and Sailboards were to come later.

There was to be a step-by-step process, starting with an announcement in a prominent yachting magazine willing to monitor a class, with generalized dimensions; then there would be a design competition not to choose a boat but to allow the IYRU to illustrate the type of boat desired.  Thereafter, the IYRU would hold trials under the supervision of a “Selection” Committee which it would appoint.

High performance and popularity

The underlying goals for these new boats was not explicit, but hinted:  “high performance” and “popularity” were key words for whatever boat was chosen.  There was sentiment among some countries, particularly those not performing well in existing classes, that new classes might displace existing ones in Olympic competition, though it was vigorously denied, perhaps out of political wisdom.  Some thought the IYRU had a leadership role for promoting changes, others believed that international status should depend first on substantial levels of sailing activity around the world – i.e. a class already popular.  The boats sought were all to be designated “Group A”, that is the group from which Olympic classes were picked.

The two-man keelboat process started in 1962 under the auspices of the Dutch sailing magazine “De Water Kampleon” with the announcement of the design competition, to culminate at the 1963 IYRU meetings, and Trials perhaps in 1965.

A design competition by the IYRU

It was the public announcement by the Class Policy Committee (CPOC) in mid 1963 that started events leading to the adoption of the Soling’s Olympic status four years later.  The American magazine “Yachting” undertook to accept design sketches for presentation at the November 1963 meeting.  “It should be a wholesome boat capable of being sailed from port to port in open water” – not “an extreme type design”, reported “Yachting” – “What IYRU wants is a nice compromise between maximum speed and maximum seaworthiness, with a good measure of both.  The boat should certainly be non-sinkable and have built-in buoyancy, and should be capable of racing in open sea conditions.  Since it is to be a racing boat, our guess is that an entirely open cockpit, or at most, a minimum caddy, would be most acceptable”.  Obligatory maximum limits “LWL 22 feet, Draft 4’6″, Displacement 3799 pounds, Sail area 310 sq. ft.”

A boat for strong winds and heavy weather

At the November meeting, Linge, then a member of the Keelboat Committee, was armed with his plans and arguments for a smaller boat, cheaper, as much fun to sail and much easier to trail.  A majority, however, favoured the larger boat – more like a one-design equivalent of the 5.5.  A panel of three was appointed to be judges of the competition: Peter Scott (then President of the IYRU), Jan Linge and Rod Stephens, soon to become the world’s leading naval architect of ocean racing yachts.  This group took most of the year before, in November, awarding modest prizes (US$300 for first) to the top three designs.  Stephens wrote a summation of the judges’ thinking (“Yachting” January 1965) with this significant observation:  “There is so much merit in the fibre glass construction … in providing uniformity of hull form (!)”.  He went on to say: “In evaluating the designs, the judges tried to think in terms of use under widely varying conditions.  It was felt that prize-winning designs – one or more of which may be ultimately used in a widespread one-design class – should be suitable for almost any kind of wind and sea conditions.  In a way, this became a bias toward a boat suited to strong winds and relatively heavy weather simply because a boat of this sort is at least safe and useful in light weather, even if it is at its best as a racing boat only in stronger winds”.

The Linge/Ferner prototype

Once Linge had lost his argument at the 1963 meetings for a small boat, he returned to Norway determined to develop his version of a three-man keelboat.  His next door neighbour, Sverre Olsen (See S.O. + LING), a successful merchant who had taken over the insolvent Holmen boatyard, became interested in backing the effort as useful publicity for his establishment.  Given such resources, a wooden prototype was built, for experimenting with sizes and placement of rudders, keels, and rig.  Finn Ferner, the champion skipper and Linge’s 5.5 client of 1960, became an important skilled partner in this activity.  By mid 1965, Linge and Ferner were satisfied enough with their work to manufacture mold needs for producing complete fibre glass boats.  In November 1965, the IYRU scheduled trials to be held off Kiel during September 1966, but for reasons not certain (perhaps to enlarge the entry list), allowed smaller boats provided “they were well ballasted, not a planing type”.

1966 Trials – Shillalah and the Soling

The high performance revolution was underway:  The Tempest was given recognition, Catamaran trials were set for 1967, and a 1966 re-run of the single hander event which had had no wind in 1965 was held.  During the Winter of ’65/’66, five fibreglass Solings were built which were extensively sailed against one another during the following Summer.  This competition was destined to be helpful in the heavy weather ahead at Kiel – chosen as a windy challenge for what the IYRU desired.

The Norwegians arrived in Kiel with two boats – one to be raced, the other to remain on its trailer ashore available for inspection. Ferner was the helmsman, Linge and Rudolph Ugelstad the crew. There were eight boats, all prototype one-offs except for the Soling.  The first race was in moderate air, but thereafter for ten of the eleven races, Kiel lived up to its breezy reputation.

The final race may have been worth all the rest for the Soling:  a meeting of helmsmen gathered in view of the forty knot wind.  Not surprisingly, the Committee’s desire to race was persuasive.  On the way to the starting area, breakdowns and one sinking left but two to compete.  By the windward mark only the Soling was left to sail the course, and so was able to demonstrate her outstanding ability to handle heavy air.  The Selection Committee, consisting of Frank Murdoch (Chairman, Holland), Beppe Croce (Italy), Bob Bavier (US), Costas Stavridis (Greece), Sir Gordon Smith (UK) and Hans Lubinus (Holland)) was impressed.

Two boats were recommended:  Shillalah, designed and sailed by US Starboat Champion, Skip Etchells, and Soling, the boat referred to as “the undersized entry”.  Shillalah won eight of the ten races she entered – her speed was outstanding;  although the Soling was about a foot and a half less on the water line, three feet less overall, 7% less sail area, she averaged a little over two minutes behind first place – was never outclassed, was good in rough weather, and was very fast on the reaches.  Three months later in London, the CPOC endorsed the Selection Committee’s recommendation, but wait: “The Permanent Committee seemed on the verge of approving this recommendation without any dissent when one of its members who had an unsucessful entrant in the trials expressed the view that the trials were inconclusive because of insufficient variety in weather. Others then cast doubt as to whether Shillalah could be built in fibreglass at a weight comparable to the wooden prototype and if not how might she perform?  Despite some assurance that she could be, the damage was done and all of a sudden a number of people who minutes before were all in favour of encouraging both boats, decided instead to delay until additional trials could clarify the matter” – wrote “Yachting” in January 1967.

1967 – Second Trials at Travemunde

So, more trials were scheduled – this time in Travemunde at the end of the 1967 Summer.  A Committee now called “Observation” rather than “Selection” was this time chaired by Jonathan Janson (UK) with Beppe Croce (Italy), Ding Schoonmaker (US), Eddie Stutterheim of Holland and Hamstorf from Germany.

While the IYRU proceeded with deliberate speed, the ’66 Trials had generated action in Norway.  The three promoters, Linge, Ferner, and Olsen, formed Soling Yachts A/S to build and sell the boats and to license builders.  Paul Elvstrom obtained a boat for testing and sailing in the ’66/’67 Winter;  he became an enthusiastic supporter. Even before the second (1967) set of Trials, some sixty boats were sailing in Scandinavia – a “local” class, even without international status.

Several new boats, a fibreglass Shillalah, also a 5.5 and a Dragon to compare speeds, assembled in Travemunde for the second Trials – this time in what became a moderate air series.  Again Shillalah was the big winner, but again Soling finished respectably.  This time she was sailed by Per Spilling (destined to win the first European Championship in 1968) with Sven Olsen and Linge again as crew. Without comment, the Observation Committee recommended Soling alone;  this result passed unanimously through the IYRU meetings.  The Soling had become an international class, but not without the help of the Norwegian Embassy where hitherto non-existent Class Rules were put together one Friday night by Beecher Moore (subsequent host of many Soling parties), Jan Linge and Finn Ferner, and then reproduced by the Embassy staff just in time for the Saturday morning meeting of the CPOC.

Soling gets chosen

Needless to say a celebration was in order.  The supporters of Shillalah could grumble about European politics and IYRU’s misleading campaign for a big boat, but the Norwegians hit the town for an all night blast, with the blessings of a friendly innkeeper selling his brew long after closing hours – one snag: the bill, product of the hours of carousel by fifty happy people unprepared to pay.  The innkeeper was willing to wait for his money until Soling Yachts A/S could return to Oslo – a short time, but enough for a 40% drop in the British pound;  so the party had been a bargain!

New Olympic Class

The 1968 Games in Mexico were held before the Class acquired its Olympic status.  Because there was a five-class limit set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the CPOC had recommended 5.5, Soling, Tempest (its two new boats), FD and Finn – these at the cost of Dragon and Star.  The Permanent Committee was heavily lobbied by Dragon enthusiasts and so dumped the 5.5;  in the same process the Star owners forced abandonment of IYRU’s Tempest.  It took another four years after the ’72 Games for the Soling to become the single three-man keelboat, when the Dragon was finally retired.

In April of 1969, after this bloody battle, the IOC relieved the pressure on the IYRU by allowing a sixth “event”.  When the IYRU added the Tempest, a fourth keelboat out of six, sailors throughout the world of small boat racing rose up in fury at the keelboat bias by the elders of yachting.  These events, while not quite germane to Soling history, describe the dynamics of IYRU decision making when Olympic classes are changed.

Solings multiply

The news of the Trials’ results not only assured the Soling’s status, but stimulated a building spree:  three hundred in 1968 and as many or more in 1969.  Elvstrom became the dominant builder in Europe, particularly after he won the first Soling World Championship off Copenhagen in 1969.  One of the best American helmsmen, George O’Day, was given a licence to build for the US market, just as Bill Abbott Sr. acquired the Canadian market.

Bill Abbott

Since Abbott, alone of the original builders, has remained a steady supporter of the class and was to become the producer of more Solings than any other world wide, his own story bears telling.  The “Chief” (as he is now known in all the hemispheres) had been looking for a small racing boat in 1966 to build in fibreglass for the use of local sailors at the southern end of Lake Huron.  Pictures of the Soling competing in the ’66 Trials showed such a boat, and it attracted him as a solution to his search.  After negotiations with Jan Linge, who preferred to sell boats rather than license them, Abbott bought a plug which arrived in June of 1967.  Molds were then built so that six boats were produced by the end of the year – at a leisurely pace, because Abbott was unaware of the pace of developments at the IYRU.  But in 1968, be built 40, 129 in 1969, and then up to one per day as the American market opened to his benefit.  Abbott had struck oil without looking for it.

Not all fibreglass boats are identical

It was clear by 1969 that the Soling had arrived.  Now it was essential that a responsible class be formed to govern, to encourage measures for its safety and to adopt restrictions against expensive “improvements”.   But more important, the class had to control the shape of the hull, keel and rudder.  The effort continues even today.  Class Rules were therefore a priority, and were built upon those assembled by Linge and Ferner in 1967.   Uniformity, the unrealizable goal of one-design mystique, was assured in the Sixties to have been accomplished by fibreglass construction.  Experience was to prove a different reality.  That called for vigilance by Class Officers.

Many influences were at work even as the Soling was brought into existence.  Sailcloth in dacron became available as the replacement for the best Egyptian cotton by 1960, but it took a few years for sailors to learn the significance of draft location and how to adjust it underway.  To do that required an assortment of marine hardware for the creation of systems of control.  Compare, for example, the vang (alias, kicking strap) of 1968 with its 5:1 advantage tackle to the multi-block 25:1 arrangements on today’s boats.  Harken and Holt among others arrived in time to make the Solings a sophisticated boat just as complexity was converting the sport into more science and head work.  Leading sailors like Elvstrom were the first to grasp the potential for these developments in boat speed. The Class Rules had to ensure a measured pace.

Paul Elvstrom

The first World Championship was won by Paul Elvstrom in a boat named Bes, one of three Norwegian boats built in 1968.  Elvstrom spent much time testing his idea, while “customizing” three of these boats – one for himself, one for King Constantine, and one for Erik Johansen, a fellow Dane.

One Design challenge

Said one knowledgeable sailor:  “Paul Elvstrom’s boats tested the limits of the Soling class in every direction” (see Article by Graham Hall, “One Design and Offshore Yachtsman”, November 1969, now known as “Sailing World”: 3 pages of detailed photos and comments).  When measured and protested “on general principles”, Elvstrom’s boats were faulted on only one point: he “had raised the floor about ten inches and had fibre glassed them to the inside of the hull, making an effective double bottom”.  With “Elvstrom bailers”, the boat was self-bailing.  The floorboards were deemed to be “overweight”; holes were required to be drilled so that water in the cockpit could collect below in the bilge and be pumped like the rest of the fleet.  The article concluded:

“Whenever a boat like Elvstrom’s makes such an impression on a class, there always emerges a re-written set of rules dealing with the major “loopholes” that allowed the development.  Such was the case with Buddy Freidrich’s Dragon after the 1967 Worlds in Toronto.  The newly elected International Soling Class technical committee will have to deal with any questions that the 1969 Worlds have brought to light.   Chief among them will be rulings on floorboards and double-bottoms, hiking straps, devices, handles, hull weight, builder inspections, template enforcement, underwater keel location, and flush-hulled rudders.  Recommendations of the ISA technical committee will be forwarded to the IYRU technical committee to ensure that the rules reflect accurately the intention and design of the original boat as adopted by the Union.

The answers to these questions will tell whether and how far the Soling class is actually going in a “one-design” direction.  “The thing that bothers me”, George O’Day said at breakfast during the Worlds, “is that we have reached a stage where unless the class makes some far reaching decisions, people won’t buy into it”.

Melges makes the boat “simple”

While the Elvstrom boat of 1969 seemed a miracle of ingenuity that year, it nevertheless offered an extraordinary contrast to the Melges boat of 1972 in which Buddy Melges won the Class’ first Olympic gold medal.  The drums used in Elvstrom’s boat to provide mechanical advantage at either end of the cockpit, the centre horse, the four big winches for trimming the jib and spinnaker, the clutter of lines coming into a console at the forward end of the cockpit, the spider web of shock cord to raise the spinnaker boom, the free standing handles on each rail for the crew, the tracks to change clew positions, and even the shroud tracks – all became victims of the Melges systems below decks or behind the bulkhead hatches. Marine hardware had come of age between the Elvstrom boat and Melges’.

The value of the raised floor (now called the cockpit sole) as an essential element in the construction and sailing of the Soling is apparent to anyone in 1996, but it was not in 1969.  The ISA meeting of that November adopted it only after a tie compelled Bill Abbott to cast a deciding vote after overnight thought.  His agony was in Canada where twenty unsold boats had been built without those floors.

The cockpit sole

A committee of IYRU technical people with help from the class was left to re-draft the rules which could be used by sailors preparing for the 1972 Games.  Elvstrom had more ideas for strengthening the boat with support from the floor downward rather than have it rest upon members built up from the keel.  He attempted to get IYRU approval without success, but went ahead with his plan in the sixty boats he built in 1970.  Although his ideas were ultimately allowed “he had his knuckles slapped”.  IYRU too had difficulty in this age of fibreglass: the templates made by the IYRU for the 1972 Games created a major problem because many boats built by licensed builders with approved tooling did not fit – fibreglass construction was more complicated than making muffins.

Jack Van Dyke

It was in this state of confusion that on 1st January 1973 Jack Van Dyke, the then President of the US Soling Association, succeeded Eggert Benzon as ISA President.  In 1972 the Soling had been redesignated as an Olympic Class, looking towards the ’76 Games. But the signals at the IYRU were to shape up with better control over the boat’s construction, as well as its potential for high cost improvements contrary to the intention of Section 1 of the Class Rules.

Van Dyke’s previous years with the IYRU helped to make 1973 a watershed year.  A “Measurement Seminar” was held in Genoa with the IYRU’s new President, Beppe Croce, Nigel Hacking (Executive Secretary), Tony Watts (IYRU Chief Measurer) and others, for a new and successful effort to tame the tigers of creativity.  Since then the class has been able to confront problems, one by one, as they arose.  There proved to be many down the years: hiking devices, shroud tracks, jib self tackers, reinforcement of the mast step area, rudders shaped by templates, sail inventories, steps to ensure watertight compartments, more keel templates to discourage excessive fairing and keel shaping contrary to the rules.

Old Friends at the 20th Birthday Party

In 1985, the Class held a birthday dinner party to celebrate its twentieth anniversary.   Present to celebrate with us was the late Beppe Croce, then President of the IYRU; and the Chairman of the CPOC during the turbulent years of our birth – Jonathan Janson – who was also Chairman of the 1967 Observation Committee who recognized the beauty of the little boat Jan Linge had designed; and King Constantine of Greece, a competitor at our first World Championship.

HRH King Harald

In 1991 HRH King Harald of Norway graciously accepted the Class’ invitation to succeed his father as Honorary President and he has been extremely supportive of the Class’ aspirations.

Since Jack Van Dyke the ISA has had seven Presidents:  Geert Bakker – 1976-1979, Ken Berkeley – 1980-1982, Karl Haist – 1983-1986, Sam Merrick – 1987-1990, Stu Walker – 1991-1994, George Wossala – 1995-1998 and Tony Clare the current President.  During this period the major themes of the Class have been the strengthening of its Class Rules to ensure the maintenance of its “one-designedness”, the continuance of its Olympic status (often against significant opposition), the promotion of match racing, and the support of events and opportunities that bring club sailors and Olympic aspirants together.

Geert Bakker

Geert Bakker provided a transition that led the Class from its pioneer days to its pre-eminence as the world’s most active and admired three-man keelboat.  Katrina Bakker says that she knows how much (her husband) Geert (who died far too young in 1992), “loved the Soling Class and what great pleasure it gave him to be President”.  Geert was elected to the Presidency in 1976, the year he represented The Netherlands in the Kingston Olympics.

Ken Berkeley

Match racing became a regular feature of the Class’ European schedule in 1983 when Ken Berkeley (who had just retired) donated a trophy for annual competition based upon experience over several years on Lake Balaton in Hungary and in Berlin.  Ken Berkeley recruited the present Secretary in 1980 after the death of Eyvin Schiotz who had been Secretary since the early years of the Class.

Karl Haist had been President of the large and enthusiastic German Soling Class before he became the first central European President of the ISA.  He encouraged East Germany (then the DDR) to become more active in the regular events of the Class and arranged for the first European Championship behind the “Iron Curtain”. Karl was particularly concerned to maintain the one-design character of the boat and during his tenure additional templates were introduced to control the shape of the keel.  As the number of entries in championship events had become excessive, Karl devised a quota system that assured the participation was equitably distributed amongst the nations.  Heike Blok brought forward the concept of an international ranking system and donated the Soling World Trophy.

Sam Merrick

During Sam Merrick’s Presidency the IYRU heirarchy launched a major programme to make sailing a spectator sport, part of which was to introduce match racing into the Olympics.  Sam persuaded the Class and the IYRU that if match racing were to be introduced, the ideal means was to use the Soling in a fleet/match event and he presided over the establishment of the present Olympic format in which the top fleet racers advance to a match racing final.  The first Soling manual (a guide to racing the Soling), edited by Heike Blok, was published and distributed to all Soling sailors.  The number of sails allowed in a regatta was reduced to one main, two jibs, and two spinnakers.  Perhaps most importantly, Uli Strohschneider’s campaign to make the Soling unsinkable was successful and the Class Rules were modified to require that hatch covers be screwed into place.  No Solings have sunk since this time.

Stu Walker campaigned successfully to keep the Soling in the ’96 Olympics and to continue the fleet/match format.  Early in his Presidency the attempt of a builder to construct “Solings” using an illegal foam sandwich was detected and the builder’s licence was withdrawn.  Stu established a strong, well organized Technical Committee that included the major builders and which has been successful in openly recognizing and solving problems before they become significant.  As President, Liaison Officer, and Umpire, he actively promoted match racing in the Class, and developed with Mundo Vela Cadiz the Infanta Dona Cristina Match Racing Series as the premier match racing event of the Class.

George Wossala

George Wossala, as Vice-President and then President of the ISA, became a major influence in the Hungarian Yachting Association (he is President of the HYA), and subsequently was appointed to several important ISAF Committees.  Thanks to his excellent links with ISAF (and with his ability to communicate in any one of a dozen or so languages) he was, and continues to be, instrumental in maintaining the status of the Soling Class as the Olympic fleet/match racer.  During his reign as ISA President he also strove to improve the status of the Class’ club racers, while aspiring to, and achieving, an Olympic berth himself (in the 1996 Olympics).    He has also instigated the first Soling Masters’ Championship – to be held at Lake Balaton in September 1999.

After serving as Chairman of the ISA Technical Committee from 1980 – 1998 and as Vice President (Administration) from 1990 – 1998, Tony Clare became ISA President in January 1999.   He first became a Soling owner in the Seventies for the best possible reason – he saw it as a boat in which he could have tremendous fun racing against a hard core of like-thinkers based at his beloved Burnham-on-Crouch.   And of course he was right.     Tony is blessed with an enquiring and analytical mind which he has turned to finding out all about the guts of a Soling and what makes it go.  He has spent an enormous amount of time and effort over the last 20 years to make the Soling machine work smoothly and to make the Class and its administration the most respected of all the Olympic classes.

Jean-Pierre Marmier

Another very long serving ISA worker, Jean-Pierre Marmier (Chairman of the ISAF Measurement Committee, and also appionted as the Chairman of the 2000 Olympic Regatta Measurement Committee), was the Class Chief Measurer from 1980 – 1998 and became Chairman of the  ISA Technical Committee in January 1999.  He keeps a very close eye on the Class Rules (and updated them to comply with the new ISAF standard class rules in 1997) and has always required competitors to adhere to the highest possible standards.  He has been regularly attending ISA Committee meetings since 1977 (in the early days as a proxy, then sometimes as the Appointed member for Switzerland, and sometimes as an Elected member).  We cannot imagine Committee meetings without his wise presence.

British Soling Association

Soling Class

Not registered ?? Join the Soling class / Sailor registration

soling sailboat hull speed

The Soling Class -

Worlds

By continuing to use soling.com you will be agreeing to the website Terms and Conditions and the Use Of Cookies while using the website and our services. Please also read our Privacy Policy under which, to the extent stated, you consent to the processing of your personal data.

written by Matias Collins  on  December 1  of  2001 and read by 12104

Random Name

The Soling design

soling sailboat hull speed

Aerial en lateral view

With the Spinaker

With the Spinaker

Class Omega

Class Omega

Comment Title: Full Comment Text: Lenguage English Deutsch Español Português French Japanese Dutch Danish Swedish Italian Norwegian Being posted by:

Europeans

SOLING 1 METER

Class contact information.

Click below

Class Email

Class Website

One-Design Class Type: Radio Control

Was this boat built to be sailed by youth or adults? Both

Approximately how many class members do you have? 690

Photo Credit:AL Fearn

soling sailboat hull speed

Photo Credit: Mike Wyatt

soling sailboat hull speed

About SOLING 1 METER

The Soling Class is the largest class affiliated with the American Model Yachting Association (AMYA). It is a one-design class. The One Meter was designed to be a low-cost, kit-based one-designed class primarily targeted at the beginning Radio-Controlled (R/C) sailor. It is often the local class that beginning sailors start with and yet it is challenging enough that most advanced racers still race their Soling. The hull, deck, keel, and rudder are made from vacuum formed polystyrene plastic. Only flat single-paneled sails are approved by the Soling Class. Only two channels are used to control the boat. One channel for both sails and the other channel for the rudder. Transmitter may have additional channels but they are not allow to be used in sanctioned races.

Boats Produced: Several thousand

Class boat builder(s):

Are in the process of selecting new builders. More to come in the future.

Approximately how many boats are in the USA/North America? 1000 +/-

Where is your One-Design class typically sailed in the USA? List regions of the country:

You can generally find a club that sails the Soling 1 Meter in all regions of the USA.

Does this class have a spinnaker or gennaker? No

How many people sail as a crew including the helm?  0

Ideal combined weight of range of crew:  0

Boat Designed in  1980s+/-

Length (feet/inches): 39.375″

Beam: 8.875″

Weight of rigged boat without sails: Minimum weight, ready to sail including batteries is 10lbs.

Mast Height:

Coaching or Clinic Resources

Class rules (pdf doc).

Back to One-Design Central

Copyright ©2018-2024 United States Sailing Association. All rights reserved. US Sailing is a 501(c)3 organization. Website designed & developed by Design Principles, Inc. -->

SailNet Community banner

  • Forum Listing
  • Marketplace
  • Advanced Search
  • About The Boat
  • Boat Review Forum
  • SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

soling sailboat

  • Add to quote

hello all, i am looking at buying a soling sailboat and just had acouple of hang ups about it. can most 27' ish sailboat trailers hold a soling? i ask this because the person im looking to buy the boat off of whats an extra 1800 for the trailer and was thinking i could find it cheaper. or maybe thats a good price?has anyone heard of or have seen a small outboard motor on a soling? is dry sailing the best for this boat? i was also wondering if solings could be phrf raced? thanks, i promised i seached for these anwsers.  

The cradle should be fitted to the soling hull, most I have seen use a solid support that fits the curve of the hull. In my area the solings are dry sailed, most owners are very particular about keeping the hull clean and waxed. I have never seen a motor on a Soling I think it could disrupt the balance and could make it difficult to get full tiller motion. Solings are very quick and agile race boats, not really a day sailor. On the trailer, what would the current owner use it for? Keep negotiating.  

I had a Soling and loved it. The most responsive boat I have ever sailed. It will not fit on a trailer that has not been made or altered for it. Although it is 27 feet long, The hull shape is nothing like a standard 27 foot weekender. You could put an outboard on the boat but if I were you I'd consider using an electric trolling motor and have a custom quick-release mount made for it that fits on one of the gunwales. I am not sure what the boat would rate PHRF - wise but I can pretty well guarantee you'd have to be an excellent sailor to get it anywhere near it's rating. The boat was designed for speed and tis would certainly be reflected in its rating. Racing them tends to be more of a one-design class affair and as Mark1948 stated, a lot of the owners are pretty fanatic about hull care and are strictly dry-sailors. We raced for two seasons but you need to be able to commit many hours and be willing to spend a lot of money on sails and gear to remain competitive. The last couple of years that I had mine it was on a mooring all season. With the right bottom paint it was fine. Note that the cockpit was not self bailing, so you have to be careful about getting to the boat regularly to bail it out. The only reason to own the boat is to sail fast. It has every conceivable sail trim mechanism and then some. if you are looking for a comfortable weekender it's the wrong boat. If you're looking for exhiliarating sailing in any weather - it's the right boat. Good luck !  

thanks for the replies  

soling sailboat hull speed

Solings are great, responsive, and fast boats to sail. We got US 276 in 1969 and kept it for about 20 years, racing and daysailing in Long Island Sound. For the fairly strong wind typical in your area (Buzzards Bay?) you will need two hefty crew hiking like crazy to keep it flat. When the boat was first introduced, there was a move to allow trapezes, so as to make hiking easier, but the class association voted against it. In 15 knots of breeze, I would not be eager to take one out singlehanded, upwind. I'd want my two crew hiking for me. Solings will plane with the spinnaker up in about 20 or so knots of breeze. Unless they've been modified for it, the sails don't generally reef. This means you flog the main when you have to -- which pretty much ends up destroying the sail after a season or two. As mentioned above, just about everything is adjustable. The deck-stepped mast is easy to step or lower when needed. A motor on the transom would really mess up performance under sail. The prop back there might also be out of the water a lot. My PHRF book shows Solings in most areas rating 150. For the trailer, I'd give Triad Trailers in Milford CT a call, to see what a new one would cost. You don't want a boat that weighs almost a ton deciding it doesn't like your jury-rigged trailer, and $1800 sounds like a new trailer to me. (And as was mentioned above, what's the previous owner going to do with a trailer and no boat to put on it?) Used Solings are generally inexpensive because they are of limited utility. If the wind's blowing too hard, you can't go out without a full crew. There's no cuddy, head or privacy for cruising. The deck is ok to sit on if you avoid all the lines and cam cleats, but there's nowhere you can lean back. They can be a blast to sail, however, so you have to decide what kind of boat you're looking for and what you want to do with it.  

Soling 1800.00 For A Trailer If It Has Two Storage Boxes And Wheels/ Tire In Good Shape Is Fair Price My Club Is 1 Mile Upstream With 5 Kn Current, So I Mounted A 2.5 Hp Honda Long Shafted Motor Midhsip With Removeable Bracket When Not Rerquired Works Great Get One With Built In Fuel Tank, Good For 60 Minutes I Did Have To Make Bracket L Shaped To Get Prop In Water I Phfr Race Every Week , Only Boat I Can Not Beat, Yet, Is A J24 Ed  

soling sailboat hull speed

Good luck finding a 27' trailer for under $2000. I got a quote a trailer to fit a 23-25 foot boat and was quoted $4k plus for extras. Granted this was a double axle with brakes and new everything, but looking around it is hard to find used trailers. My guess would be $1500-2000 used, plus whatever it takes to fit it to the soling. If you were to buy the soling, I would buy the trailer with it.  

Good luck finding a 27' trailer for under $2000. I got a quote a trailer to fit a 23-25 foot boat and was quoted $4k plus for extras. Granted this was a double axle with brakes and new everything, but looking around it is hard to find used trailers. My guess would be $1500-2000 used, plus whatever it takes to fit it to the soling. The other thing to compare is it a road trailer or a yard trailer. If it was a road trailer I think $1800 would be a good investment.  

Anyone out there sailing a Soling that was originally sailed at Offshore Sailing School on City Island. I was an instructor there in the 80's. I'm now applying for my captains liscence and need a hull number.  

  • ?            
  • 174.3K members

Top Contributors this Month

soling sailboat hull speed

Hull Speed Calculator

Table of contents

Welcome to the hull speed calculator . If you've ever seen a boat go so fast that its nose started rising, then you've seen the concept of hull speed in action. In this article, we'll explain what hull speed is and what it means for a ship's design. Later, we'll show you how to calculate hull speed with the hull speed formula, so that you can work out how to calculate hull speed for your own boat.

What is hull speed?

Hull speed is the speed at which a vessel with a displacement hull must travel for its waterline to be equal to its bow wave's wavelength. A displacement hull travels through water, instead of on top of it as a planing hull (like a kiteboard ) would, thereby displacing water with its buoyancy as it sails. The pressure that this displacement exerts on the water creates a wave; this wave is known as the vessel's bow wave . A slow-moving boat's bow wave might make small waves, but, as the boat sails faster, the bow wave's wavelength λ \lambda λ grows. When the wavelength meets the waterline length (that's also when the bow wave's first and second crests are at opposite tips of the waterline), the boat is said to be traveling at hull speed. Take a look at the picture below to see what we mean:

A diagram of a boat's waterline versus the bow wave's wavelength.

Why does hull speed matter?

Although it's not perfect, hull speed remains a useful concept that can help us answer questions about how fast a sailboat can go, and the optimal amount of thrust you need to keep a boat moving forward.

A boat's hull speed limits how fast it can travel efficiently. When traveling at hull speed, the boat's bow wave and stern wave have synchronized and constructive interference occurs, which allows the boat to move very efficiently. However, at speeds greater than hull speed, a vessel's nose automatically starts rising as the vessel tries to climb its bow wave. This process is called planing , and it wastes lots of energy. Trying to move faster than the hull speed will therefore require more and more thrust (whether that comes from sails, rowing, or engines) in exchange for smaller and smaller gains in speed as more energy is wasted angling the boat upwards. Hull speed can therefore be said to impose a flat limit on how fast a sailboat can go.

Shortcomings of hull speed

Although the physics behind hull speed is sound, it is heavily dependent on the hull's shape. Long and thin hulls with piercing designs can easily break their hull speed without planing. Such hulls are found on:

  • Catamarans; and
  • Competitive kayaks.

A hull's design can enable it to circumvent the workings of hull speed. It is for this reason that hull speed is not used in present-day ship design; naval institutions nowadays favor more modern measurements of speed-to-length ratio, such as the Froude number .

How to calculate hull speed

The formula for hull speed only needs the length of the vessel's waterline in feet, denoted as L waterline L_\text{waterline} L waterline ​ . With this length, the vessel's hull speed in knots can be calculated with

If you want to instead work out exactly how long your new boat's waterline must be for it to have a certain hull speed, you can invert the formula to obtain

How to use the hull speed calculator

The hull speed calculator is just as easy to use as the formula.

Enter your vessel's waterline length into the first field. This is the length of your boat's hull at the height of the waterline. Your vessel's hull speed will then be calculated and presented in the second field.

You can also use the hull speed calculator backward to work out how long a vessel's waterline must be if you know its hull speed.

You can freely change the units of your measurements without interfering with the hull speed formula.

How can I increase my boat's hull speed without changing its hull?

Load your boat heavier! If you think about a normal displacement hull, it's usually narrower near the bottom than at the deck. So pushing it down with some weight will lengthen the boat's waterline, and so its hull speed is increased. Of course, heavier boats are harder to move, so while your loaded boat now has a higher hull speed, you would need more power to move it.

Waterline length

The length of the ship at its waterline.

The speed at which the ship's waterline length equals its bow wave's wavelength.

Hull speed is a phenomenon of displacement boats, and not of planing boats. Most sailing boats and all ships displace water—move it aside—as they plow through it. Planing craft, such as most motor boats, glide over the top like a surfboard. It takes more energy to push water aside than it does to slide over the top of it, and so displacement boats move at a more sedate pace than their lighter planing cousins. Some small sailing boats can be made to plane, but the general rule is that sailing boats are of the displacement type. Hull speed is usually an upper limit to the speed of displacement boats.* It is unsurprising that such a limit exists: we have seen how drag increases with speed, and so sooner or later drag will balance out the drive force and a sailboat will not be able to go faster. Yet there is a surprise in store for those of you who are not familiar with sailing: the hull speed of a given boat depends on its hull length at the waterline. It is not obvious from a simple consideration of drag why this should be so, but it is a well-attested fact, often quoted in the sailing literature, that the maximum natural speed of a displacement boat (in knots) is 4/3 the square root of waterline length in feet.

A key feature of the phenomenon, again well known to any sailor, is that hull speed has been reached when the bow wave of the boat lengthens to the waterline length. At lower speeds, there may be three or four complete waves seen to lap along the boat hull, but this number decreases as the boat picks up speed and reaches, pretty closely, one complete wave by the time the boat reaches her hull speed. It may be possible for her to go faster than hull speed, but this requires a disproportionate amount of effort. In other words, the hydrodynamic drag

* There is one trick by which a small displacement boat can exceed hull speed without expending enormous effort, and that is by surfing. Riding along the front of a wave is not the sole preserve of surfboards.

Speed Hull Surfboard

Figure 6.1. (a) Your hull-speed raft, viewed from above. Note the direction of motion. (b) When the bow wavelength is less than the distance between the long beams, drag is reduced compared to the case of (c). In (c) bow wavelength equals the distance between beams because the aft beam is more submerged. So hull speed is reached when hull length equals bow wavelength. Consequently, hull speed is limited by hull length.

force that is acting to hold back the boat increases rapidly once hull speed is reached. My goal in this section is to explain to you, in simple physics terms, why these phenomena occur.

Which is why I have press-ganged you into service onboard the undignified vessel illustrated in figure 6.1. She is a wooden raft with two long logs fore and aft that stretch way beyond her beam. These logs are not there to provide flotation, please note—we will suppose that the raft has enough buoyancy without them—but rather to illustrate hull speed. You set the primitive sail and drift off to the right. The forward log generates a bow wave which spreads out in the wake, as waves do. You notice something that you have seen many times before in other craft: the bow wave size (amplitude) increases as the vessel speed increases. This makes sense because the hull is pushing water aside, the displaced water has to go somewhere, and the faster you go, the more water is moved. So the wave size increases. Now you pick up speed, and so the wavelength of the wake, as observed alongside your hull, stretches out until exactly one wave lies between the two extended logs at bow and stern. The raft speed that gives rise to this condition is her top speed, you

Bow Wave Physics

Figure 6.2. Your hull-speed barge. Bow waves forward of the center of gravity, CG (open circle) exert a buoyancy force (vertical arrows) proportional to wave height that acts to rotate the barge hull counterclockwise. Similarly, waves aft of the CG act to rotate the hull clockwise. If we can assume that drag forces are proportional to counterclockwise torque (a dominant CCW torque means that the barge is climbing a hill created by its bow wave), we can show that hull speed occurs when bow wavelength equals hull length.

find. It is clear why: the aft log is now submerged, and so experiences more drag than it did earlier, when there was no wave crest at the hull stern (see fig. 6.1). So, drag force peaks when bow wavelength equals hull length, in this simple example.

Now we are able to see where the old formula for hull speed comes from. The speed of a bow wave, or of any other surface water wave,1 is c where c2 = gk/2p. Here l is the water wavelength, and g is the constant acceleration due to gravity. Now the raft speed, v, equals the water wave speed, c, so that v = VgL/2p (since hull length, L, equals water wavelength at hull speed, as we just saw). Substitute numbers and we arrive at the old formula.

The ungainly raft has served her purpose, and you can now abandon her. The lesson learned is intuitive, and yet it gives us a basis for understanding quantitatively what hull speed is about. Now I can do another calculation, this time a little more realistic. The math is more involved (you need not wade though it), but the basic idea is again quite intuitive. Figure 6.2 shows the profile of a steep-sided hull plowing through water and generating a bow wave, which oscillates along the line of the hull. This vessel is kept afloat by the buoyancy force, and we can see that the buoyancy force is going to be different at different points along the line of the hull because the wave height varies along the hull. Buoyancy that acts forward of the hull CG (shown in fig. 6.2) will create a counterclockwise torque that tends to twist the hull about the CG—trying to make it do a backflip. The buoyancy force aft of the CG produces a torque that acts in the clockwise sense. These two more or less cancel* but not quite. If the counterclockwise buoyancy torque is just a little bigger than the clockwise torque, the boat will tilt backwards, until her stern goes deep enough to generate a compensating torque. We would then be left with a boat that is going uphill, trying to reach the crest of her own bow wave.

Where am I going with all this? Roughly speaking, counterclockwise torque equates to uphill motion, and uphill motion leads to increased drag, for reasons that will soon be made clear. So, I am saying that increasing the unbalanced counterclockwise torque generated by a bow wave will increase drag. If this increase should suddenly take off at a certain speed, then we have found our hull speed. In fact, I can calculate the torque generated by the bow wave. You can see that as the bow wavelength changes, the torque will also change because the manner in which buoyancy force is distributed along the hull length changes with wavelength (fig. 6.2). The results of this calculation are plotted in figure 6.3. (For those interested, the math is provided in this endnote 2 in sufficient detail for you to reproduce the calculation.2) In figure 6.3 we see once again that drag force takes off for water wavelengths exceeding hull length, more or less.3

For simplicity, the hull of figure 6.2 was given vertical sides, but most boats don't have vertical sides, for a host of reasons. Recall that, in the Age of Sail, ships of the line were given a tumblehome cross section to deter boarders. Nowadays we are less likely to have to repel nefarious enemies swarming over our gunwales with cutlass in hand, casting a single bloodshot eye (the other being patched) in search of our gold doubloons. Hull sides are angled but the other way, with cross sections resembling a martini glass rather than a brandy glass. In plain language: more V-shaped. Here are some physics reasons for different hull cross sections.

——'Rounded hull bottoms are stronger than V-shaped hulls, but the latter will be deeper for the same displacement and so will better resist leeway.

*Just as well, because backflipping boats would be pretty uncomfortable.

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 Water wavelength / L

Figure 6.3. Hull speed is limited by drag. In the simple model described in the text, the drag increases with water wavelength, l, as shown (L is hull waterline length). Here, drag force is set arbitrarily to 1 at zero speed. If the bow wave is assumed to have constant amplitude, independent of speed, then drag changes with speed as shown. For a more realistic model, with bow wave amplitude increasing with speed, the curve looks similar. In this simple model, hull speed occurs at l « 1.2L because for longer waves (higher boat speed) the drag force becomes too strong.

•—A large deck area is desirable, but large hydrodynamic drag is not. For a hull of a given displacement, the choice of hull shape is constrained by the trade-off between these two characteristics. •—'An angled hull—say one that is V-shaped—will have greater reserve buoyancy. That is, the righting moment will increase as the hull heels further and further. •—'During heeling, the waterline along an angled hull will not be symmetric about the longitudinal axis; the port side waterline length and shape will be different from that on the starboard side. This asymmetry can assist the boat to head up while heeling. Thus, even without aerodynamic assistance from her sails, a boat may automatically

soling sailboat hull speed

point to windward when heeling solely because of hydrodynamic forces acting on the hull. •—'Different angled hull shapes beneath the waterline assist with planing. For certain boats, such as racers, this is important because planing requires less displacement, less wetted area, and so less drag—and hence increased speed.

The physics of angled hull shapes casts an interesting light on the capabilities of some ancient ships . Certain ancient ships were built with a lot of overhang at the bow and stern, but this practice is usually thought to have been of little value for the old square-riggers because these ships were supposed to be nippy only when running or on a broad reach. Today, such hull shapes are utilized to increase hull speed while heeling because the waterline length is increased when the hull is heeled over. This lengthened waterline increases boat speed on a beam reach, for example. It seems plausible to suppose that ancient vessels with overlapping bows and sterns may have been capable of traveling across the wind at speed. Indeed, such a hull design offers no other advantage for these square-rigged vessels. (An overhanging bow and stern increases deck area, but for merchantmen—and in ancient times most of the sailing ships were merchant vessels because warships were oar-powered—deck area was not such a big deal. Volume of the hold was what mattered.) For a downwind point of sail, extended hull length above the waterline will increase pitching motion when traveling downwind; this is bad, and yet the overhanging bow and stern must have conferred some advantage or these ancient ships would not have been built this way.

Continue reading here: Keel Appeal

Was this article helpful?

Recommended Programs

Myboatplans 518 Boat Plans

Myboatplans 518 Boat Plans

Related Posts

  • Time to Rock and Roll - Science of Sailing
  • Hull Construction - Ship Design
  • Principles of Yacht Design Ena
  • Greeks and Romans - Science of Sailing
  • Principles of Yacht Design Sen
  • High Speed Sailing - High Speed Sailing

Readers' Questions

Is it possible for a displacement boat to exceed hull speed?
No, it is not possible for a displacement boat to exceed its hull speed. Hull speed is the theoretical maximum speed that a displacement boat can reach, and it is determined by the length of the waterline. When a boat exceeds its hull speed, it starts to climb up on its own bow wave and create excessive drag, making it difficult to go any faster.
What can you say about the speed of a boat that makes a bow wave?
The speed of a boat that makes a bow wave is usually quite fast, as the bow wave is usually associated with a boat moving at high speeds.
How to calculate hull speed?
Hull speed, also known as displacement speed, is the speed at which a boat hull moves through the water. It is calculated by taking the square root of the waterline length of the boat in feet and dividing it by 1.34. The formula is: Hull Speed = √LWL / 1.34 where LWL = waterline length in feet.
What is maximum hull speed for a boat?
The maximum hull speed for a boat is typically 1.34 times the square root of the waterline length of the boat in feet. For example, the maximum hull speed for a boat with a waterline length of 20 feet would be about 24 knots (1.34 x √20).
Why catamarans sail faster than hull speed?
Catamarans sail faster than hull speed because of their unique hull design. Their twin hulls provide greater stability and lift than a single hull, which results in less drag on the boat. This reduced resistance allows the boat to move more quickly through the water, resulting in higher speeds than what is normally achieved with a traditional hull design. Additionally, the width of the catamarans hulls also distributes the weight of the boat more evenly, which further reduces drag and increases speed.

Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts.

  • Sailboat Guide

Etchells Class

Etchells Class is a 30 ′ 6 ″ / 9.3 m monohull sailboat designed by E. W. (Skip) Etchells and built by David Heritage Racing Yachts, Robertson and Sons Ltd., Petticrows, Sydney Yachts/Bashford Int., and Ontario Yachts starting in 1966.

Drawing of Etchells Class

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

  • SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
  • D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
  • LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
  • LOA: Length overall in feet
  • Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Originally called the E22 or ETCHELLS 22. Renamed ETCHELLS CLASS in 1990. The prototype ‘Shililah’, was built to compete in the IYRU 3 man keel boat trials of 1966. Despite winning nearly every race, another boat, (the SOLING), was ultimately selected and became the 3 man keel boat Olympic class. The enthusiasm for the new design grew just the same and the ETCHELLS CLASS became one of the most successful international one-design classes.

Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code.

  • About Sailboat Guide

©2024 Sea Time Tech, LLC

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Swell RC

Discover the Soling RC Sailboat: A Classic and Competitively-Driven Model

' src=

  • By - Kyle Hilson
  • Posted on November 14, 2023 November 15, 2023
  • Posted in RC Boats

The Soling RC Sailboat is a highly detailed radio-controlled model sailboat, designed after the Olympic-class Soling racing sailboat. It is a favorite among hobbyists who enjoy the thrill of sailboat racing in miniature form. With its precision controls, exceptional sailing performance, and range of classic details, the Soling RC Sailboat is a unique model sailboat that closely mimics the agility and abilities of the original boat. Moreover, this model sailboat is a fantastic opportunity for enthusiasts to explore the details of assembling and constructing a sailboat kit to racing events showcasing their unique sailing capabilities.

Experience the Thrill of Racing with the Soling RC Sailboat Model

The Soling RC Sailboat model is approximately 1:8 scale and has a length of 1.21 meters. Its hull is made of high-quality fiberglass with a wooden deck. Additionally, its mast and boom consist of high-grade aluminum . Some other classic features of this model sailboat are the mainsail, jib, and spinnaker. Here are some highlights to consider regarding this radio-controlled Soling racing sailboat model:

  • This exquisite model sailboat is an excellent addition to a collection, particularly for sailboat enthusiasts .
  • Assembling and building the various parts of this model sailboat offers an engaging experience for hobbyists to enjoy.
  • Racing the Soling RC Sailboat is a fun activity that helps you experience the thrill of sailboat racing in a miniature setting.
  • The Soling RC Sailboat is a well-engineered sailboat model that provides a realistic sailing experience.
  • Whether you want to participate in competitions or sail casually, this model sailboat is an excellent choice.

Soling Rc Sailboat: Experience the Thrill of Racing with the Soling RC Sailboat Model

Where can I find more information on the specs and assembly instructions for the Soling RC Sailboat model?

You can find more information on the specs and assembly instructions for the Soling RC Sailboat model by visiting the manufacturer’s website or contacting their customer service department.

Impressive Performance of the Soling RC Sailboat

The Soling RC Sailboat is known for its exceptional sailing performance, with precision controls that allow for quick and efficient tacking and jibing. Here are some interesting facts and figures that illustrate the outstanding sailing capabilities of the Soling RC Sailboat :

  • The Soling RC Sailboat has a sail area of 1.8 square meters and can reach speeds of up to 10 mph.
  • With a high aspect ratio keel and rudder, this sailboat provides excellent stability and maneuverability.
  • Thanks to the carefully designed rig with a balanced sail plan, the Soling RC Sailboat offers an incredibly predictable response to control inputs.
  • Many hobbyist enthusiasts have created modifications to their Soling RC Sailboats to enhance their performance, such as carbon fiber booms and upgraded sails.

To better visualize the impressive performance of the Soling RC Sailboat , here is a comparison table with other model sailboats’ stats:

Soling Rc Sailboat: Impressive Performance of the Soling RC Sailboat

What modifications can hobbyist enthusiasts make to enhance the performance of their Soling RC Sailboat?

Hobbyist enthusiasts can enhance the performance of their Soling RC Sailboat by modifying the rigging, sail shape, keel weight, and rudder shape.

Resources and Events for the Soling RC Sailboat

Those interested in purchasing and assembling the Soling RC Sailboat can find a variety of options and resources online. Here are a few websites and products to consider:

  • The Soling RC Sailboat kit is available from several online retailers, including Amazon and Remote Control Boat Kits.
  • For those interested in customizing their Soling RC Sailboat , there are a wide variety of upgrade options available, including high-performance sails, rigging, and electronics.
  • Online forums and communities dedicated to model sailboats can provide a wealth of information and support for hobbyists assembling and racing their Soling RC Sailboat .
  • For those interested in racing their Soling RC Sailboat against others, there are local and national events held around the world.

Soling Rc Sailboat: Resources and Events for the Soling RC Sailboat

What customization options are available for the Soling RC Sailboat?

The customization options available for the Soling RC Sailboat include different hull colors, sails, rigging, and hardware upgrades.

Get Your Sailboat Racing Fix with the Soling RC Sailboat

Those interested in racing their Soling RC Sailboat can find a wide range of events and competitions held throughout the year. Here are a few options to consider:

  • International Soling One Meter Class Association (ISMCA) holds a range of competitions worldwide, including regional, national, and international events. Their website provides event schedules and details.
  • North American Model Boating Association (NAMBA) offers a variety of model boating events and races, including sailboat races. Their website offers information on upcoming events, locations, and registration.
  • Radio Sailing Shop is an online merchant that sells a range of RC sailboats, including Soling RC Sailboats. They also provide information and support on racing events and competitions.
  • The Facebook group “ Soling One Meter Sailboats ” has over 1,000 members and is a place where Soling RC Sailboat enthusiasts can connect, share information, and find out about upcoming events.

Soling Rc Sailboat: Get Your Sailboat Racing Fix with the Soling RC Sailboat

Where can I find a community of Soling RC Sailboat enthusiasts?

You can find a community of Soling RC Sailboat enthusiasts by searching online forums or clubs in your local area.

In conclusion

The Soling RC Sailboat is a unique and impressive model sailboat that has captured the hearts of hobbyists around the globe. With its exceptional sailing performance and precision controls, this model offers a highly realistic experience of racing a classic sailboat. Moreover, the Soling RC Sailboat is an excellent choice for those looking to dive into model sailboat assembly and construction. The range of customization options available means that enthusiasts can design and build a model that perfectly suits their preferences.

As mentioned in the previous section, the Soling RC Sailboat is perfect for those looking to compete and take their hobby to the next level, and there are many events and competitions available worldwide. Whether it’s through associations like ISMCA and NAMBA or online communities like the Facebook group “Soling One Meter Sailboats,” enthusiasts can connect with like-minded individuals and share their passion for model sailboats.

Overall, the Soling RC Sailboat is a beautiful and unique model that continues to captivate and inspire hobbyists worldwide. Whether it’s for casual sailing or competitive racing, this model sailboat offers an exceptional experience that is sure to provide countless hours of enjoyment for all those who take up the hobby.

DR10 RC: A High-Quality Remote-Controlled Car for Racing Enthusiasts

Previous Article

Next article.

Guide to RC Car Tyres: Types, Sizes, Materials, and Maintenance

Why was Florida captain’s fatal boat crash pact kept secret, but his wife’s was not?

  • David Goodhue Florida Keys Keynoter (TNS)

The $16 million settlement ordered late last month in the tragic 2022 Labor Day weekend boat crash that ended the life of Our Lady of Lourdes senior Luciana Fernandez and left her classmate, soccer star Katerina Puig, needing a lifetime of medical care, is just one chapter in the ongoing legal battles surrounding prominent South Florida real estate broker George Pino — the man at the vessel’s helm.

That judgment, against Pino’s wife, Cecilia Pino, came three months after George Pino reached a confidential settlement with the Puig family for an undisclosed amount of money that will be used to fund a medical trust for Katerina.

But the April 25 order by Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Migna Sanchez-Llorens, which enforced a settlement reached between Cecilia Pino and Katerina’s parents Kathya and Rodolpho Puig, opened questions about why George Pino’s settlement is confidential, but his wife’s is not. And, also, why the couple was sued individually.

Cecilia Pino’s attorneys sought to keep her settlement sealed for 10 years, but the Puigs objected. Sanchez-Llorens ruled in the Puigs’ favor on April 26. Part of her argument was that the continued press coverage in the Miami Herald and other outlets was having a negative impact on State Street Realty, the company her husband operates and where she works.

Both Andrew Mescolotto, the attorney for the Pinos, and Ivan Cabrera, the Puigs’ attorney, declined to discuss the case.

Several personal injury attorneys told the Miami Herald that the way the civil case has played out is not unusual.

Ira Leesfield, a Miami attorney specializing in maritime law, explained that the parties likely agreed out of court to keep the monetary value of George Pino’s settlement confidential, but didn’t agree to do the same with Cecilia’s case.

And, if there is a disagreement, the judge is likely going to deny sealing the details of the settlement, Leesfield said.

“The judges don’t care if you want it confidential,” Leesfield said. “If one party [wants the agreement not to be confidential], they’re going to do it.”

Stuart Grossman, the head of a major South Florida personal injury law firm for decades, said the reasons for wanting to keep settlements out of the public eye vary.

“It depends on the appetite, usually of the plaintiff. Some people are very sensitive about their friends and neighbors and work colleagues open to the possibility that they are worth millions,” Grossman said. “Also, it depends on the appetite of the defendant not wanting it known he was able to pay millions of dollars out of pocket.”

“Either party can invoke this. Oftentimes it’s made a condition of one party,” Grossman said.

George Pino was behind the wheel of a 29-foot Robolo twin 300-horsepower engine center console boat on Sept. 4, 2022, returning from celebrating his daughter’s 18th birthday on Elliott Key. He was with his wife, daughter and 11 of her teenage friends — including Luciana Fernandez and Katerina Puig — heading back to the couple’s vacation home at the exclusive Ocean Reef Club gated community when he rammed into a fixed channel marker near Cutter Bank in the Intracoastal Waterway.

Spend your days with Hayes

Subscribe to our free Stephinitely newsletter

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

He was going about 50 mph, which is a high rate of speed on the water, when the vessel hit the Biscayne Bay channel marker, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the lead investigating agency in the case. All 14 people on board were ejected into the water. Several were injured — Katerina and Luciana critically. Luciana died the next day in the hospital. Katerina suffered blunt-force trauma to her head and is permanently disabled.

Despite more than 60 empty booze containers found on the boat when investigators hauled it out of the water, and George Pino telling an FWC officer he “had two beers,” cops almost immediately ruled out alcohol as a factor in the crash, a conclusion echoed in the final criminal complaint. Instead, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, going by the final FWC report, charged Pino with three counts of misdemeanor careless boating last August.

George Pino has pleaded not guilty, and the criminal case is pending.

Both the Puig and Fernadez families were outraged at the minor charges filed. The Fernandezes, in several statements provided to the Miami Herald since Pino was charged, pointed out that he told investigators that a contributing factor to the crash was the wake thrown by a larger boat that was coming the opposite direction in the channel moments before he hit the marker.

No one else on the Robolo, nor anyone on any of the other vessels in the area that day, saw that boat, according to the FWC’s final report.

Andres and Melissa Fernandez, Luciana’s parents, have not filed any lawsuits in the aftermath of their daughter’s death, but remain highly critical of the handling of the investigation by the FWC and State Attorney’s Office.

The family has since created a nonprofit in their daughter’s name, the Lucy Fernandez Foundation, dedicated to boating safety and providing scholarships to Our Lady of Lourdes Academy.

The Puigs filed their lawsuit against George and Cecilia Pino in March 2023. Although George Pino was operating the boat the day of the crash and the boat’s title is only in his name, both Pinos are named separately in the lawsuit.

Specifically, George Pino was sued for negligence and negligent supervision, and Cecilia was sued for negligent supervision.

Among the list of accusations in the lawsuit is that both Pinos bought alcohol that day and allowed all of the girls on the boat to drink.

The arguments in that civil case are reiterated in yet another lawsuit that has resulted from the crash — one filed in Dade court by Hudson Excess Insurance Company in February. Hudson is the company with which George Pino had a $500,000 excess insurance policy on his boat.

The company’s lawsuit against Pino and the Puigs argues it is not obliged to pay out the $500,000 policy.

Unlike the out-of-court settlement with George Pino, his wife agreed to a consent agreement to pay the $16 million. Sanchez-Llorens then issued her judgment requiring the payment.

“It’s like going to trial, but skipping the trial,” Miami trial lawyer Judd Rosen said. “If we went to trial, the likely outcome would be $16 million.”

Rosen said he believes the Puigs and Cecilia Pino, who share the same attorney in the case, may be working together to fight back against Hudson for denying the coverage. He suggested the $16 million agreement and judgment allowed both parties to pursue a bad-faith action against the insurance company.

Rosen also said it’s typical in personal injury lawsuits to go after all involved individually, so it’s not unusual that the outcomes differed for George and Cecilia Pino.

“Technically, it’s two different cases. Two Different parties. Two different defendants,” he said.

MORE FOR YOU

  • Advertisement

ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SUBSCRIBERS

The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only. To enjoy the e-Newspaper every day, please subscribe.

IMAGES

  1. Sailboat Length and Hull Speed (Longer = Faster)

    soling sailboat hull speed

  2. Soling

    soling sailboat hull speed

  3. Infographic with different hull lengths of sailboats and their average

    soling sailboat hull speed

  4. Soling

    soling sailboat hull speed

  5. The TRUTH of Hull Speed: How to Break the Sailing Speed Limit

    soling sailboat hull speed

  6. Soling

    soling sailboat hull speed

VIDEO

  1. MultiSurf Quick Sailboat Hull

  2. Sail Wars! Virginia Victoria RC Sailboat Racing, NVMYC 2023, Video#259

  3. Exceeding hull speed

  4. Measuring for a new SAIL

  5. Sailing our Siren 17 on Lake Erie in Buffalo NY

  6. Sail Wars! Too Many Fouls! Soling Regatta 2023, Race4B, Soling RC Sailboat Racing Video#240

COMMENTS

  1. SOLING

    Hull Speed: The maximum speed of a displacement hull (referring to a hull that travels through the water rather than on top of it, e.g. planing). HS = 1.34 x √LWL (in feet) Pounds per Inch Immersion: The weight required to sink the yacht one inch. Calculated by multiplying the LWL area by 5.333 for sea water or 5.2 for fresh water.

  2. Soling

    The Soling is an open keelboat that holds the World Sailing "International class" status. The class was used from the 1972 Olympics until the 2000 Olympics as "Open three-person keelboat".Besides the Olympic career of the Soling the boat is used for international and local regattas as well as for recreational sailing.The Soling is managed by the International Soling Association under auspician ...

  3. Soling

    Soling is a 26′ 8″ / 8.2 m monohull sailboat designed by Jan Linge and built by Petticrows, Børresen Bådebyggeri, Abbott Boats Inc., and Eichenlaub Boat Co. starting in 1966. ... the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more. Formula. D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³ D: Displacement of the ...

  4. Soling Sailboat: The Ultimate Guide to Racing and Cruising

    Short answer: Soling sailboat The Soling is a popular one-design keelboat introduced in 1965. It is a three-person racing yacht known for its stability, durability, and competitive performance. With a length of 27 feet and strict class rules, it has been sailed competitively around the world in various championships and is highly regarded within the

  5. Soling

    The Soling is a light sailboat which is a very high performer. It is very stable / stiff and has a good righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a racing boat. Soling for sale elsewhere on the web: Main features. Model: ... Hull speed: 6.03 knots

  6. The Soling

    The following is meant a general description of the Soling only. The Soling is an International One Design racing yacht the specification of which is tightly controlled by the International Soling Association (ISA). ... Hull: 375 kg. LOA: 8.15 metres (26.7 ft) LWL: 6.1 Metres (20 ft) ... and stranding rigging is designed to allow precise and ...

  7. PDF Western Reserve Model Yacht Club

    and sail the Soling One Meter. 3 Adhesives: ... with a wind speed of 2 m/s,(5 MPH) then the heavier yacht will be a mere 20 cm or 8 inches behind. After ten tacks. Ten tacks would be more than a full leg of the average race. ... the twisting effect of the hull as the boat sails, and (most damaging) (c) the flexing effect of the keel and keel ...

  8. The Soling

    The Soling history actually began in the mind of Jan Linge during the late 50's while he was doing design work and tank testing on a 5.5 metre to be built for a Norwegian friend for sailing in the 1960 Olympics. The friend, Finn Ferner, was a successful businessman and an outstanding helmsman, an Olympic medallist and winner of many ...

  9. Review of Soling

    The Soling is a sailboat designed by the Norwegian maritime architect Jan Herman Linge in the mid sixties. A few thousand boats have been produced. ... The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary ...

  10. Isa

    CLASS MANAGEMENT - The Soling Class is managed by an 18-20 person committee of elected and appointed members who work with the WS to assure the long term stability and durability of the boat and the Class. The Class Rules, which are carefully crafted and strictly administered, prevent boats becoming outclassed except by fair wear and tear after ...

  11. PDF Soling 1 Meter Class Rules

    2.0 Standard The class shall be called the Soling 1 Meter (hereinafter: "Soling"). Boat kits. hull, deck, and keel, (not including rudder, rigs or sails) conforming to these class rules must be produced by an approved manufacturer. The Class Secretary shall maintain a list of approved manufacturers of the boat kits and parts.

  12. SOLING 1 METER

    About SOLING 1 METER. The Soling Class is the largest class affiliated with the American Model Yachting Association (AMYA). It is a one-design class. The One Meter was designed to be a low-cost, kit-based one-designed class primarily targeted at the beginning Radio-Controlled (R/C) sailor. It is often the local class that beginning sailors ...

  13. Soling 50 (RC Model)

    The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more. Formula. D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³ D: Displacement of the boat in pounds. LWL: Waterline length ... The SOLING 50 is sanctioned by the national American Model Yacht Association and has active fleets racing in ...

  14. PDF Soling One Meter Resource Center

    The Soling One Meter is a low-cost, entry-level model sailboat designed for radio controlled sail racing. It is recognized by the American Model Yachting Association (AMYA) as one of the largest model yacht classes in the country. This extremely low cost kit-based model is a pleasure to sail.

  15. soling sailboat

    The cradle should be fitted to the soling hull, most I have seen use a solid support that fits the curve of the hull. In my area the solings are dry sailed, most owners are very particular about keeping the hull clean and waxed. ... The boat was designed for speed and tis would certainly be reflected in its rating. Racing them tends to be more ...

  16. Hull Speed Calculator

    How to calculate hull speed. The formula for hull speed only needs the length of the vessel's waterline in feet, denoted as L_\text {waterline} Lwaterline. With this length, the vessel's hull speed in knots can be calculated with. V_\text {hull} = 1.34 \sqrt {L_\text {waterline}} V hull = 1.34 Lwaterline. If you want to instead work out exactly ...

  17. Hull Speed

    Hull speed, also known as displacement speed, is the speed at which a boat hull moves through the water. It is calculated by taking the square root of the waterline length of the boat in feet and dividing it by 1.34. The formula is: Hull Speed = √LWL / 1.34 where LWL = waterline length in feet.

  18. 26' Soling for Sale

    KC-288-71. Mould 4, Plug 10. Hull 288. Serial Number 459. Project boat for Olympic class racing boat. Fiberglass on the keel is peeling away from the metal. Sails need to be replaced (mouse in storage). Built by Bill Abbott in Ontario, CA and designed by Jan H. Linge. Paperwork is forthcoming (title/bill of sale). Trailer Info: Collar-lock trailer coupler. Hammer Blow Tool Co. Toledo, OH.

  19. 1970 Soling 27 ft.

    Soling 27 ft., 1970 with Trailer Boat Name- TCB. ... Hull Speed. The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough ...

  20. Etchells Class

    Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL 8.35 knots. Classic formula: 6.29 knots. Sail Area/Displacement 21.6 ... was built to compete in the IYRU 3 man keel boat trials of 1966. Despite winning nearly every race, another boat, (the SOLING), was ultimately selected and became the 3 man keel boat Olympic class.

  21. Discover the Soling RC Sailboat: A Classic and Competitively-Driven Model

    The Soling RC Sailboat model is approximately 1:8 scale and has a length of 1.21 meters. Its hull is made of high-quality fiberglass with a wooden deck. ... Speed; Soling RC Sailboat: 1.8 sqm: 1.21m: 10 mph: DragonFlite 95 RC Sailboat: 0.95 sqm: 0.95m: 6 mph: ... The customization options available for the Soling RC Sailboat include different ...

  22. ETCHELLS CLASS

    Despite winning nearly every race, another boat, (the SOLING), was ultimately selected and became the 3 man keel boat Olympic class. ... The maximum speed of a displacement hull (referring to a hull that travels through the water rather than on top of it, e.g. planing). HS = 1.34 x √LWL (in feet)

  23. Why was Florida captain's fatal boat crash pact kept secret, but his

    View of a fiberglass piece from the hull of a boat that crashed into channel marker #15 on Sept. 4, 2022. ... He was going about 50 mph, which is a high rate of speed on the water, when the vessel ...

  24. 5.5 METER

    It takes into consideration "reported" sail area, displacement and length at waterline. The higher the number the faster speed prediction for the boat. A cat with a number 0.6 is likely to sail 6kts in 10kts wind, a cat with a number of 0.7 is likely to sail at 7kts in 10kts wind. KSP = (Lwl*SA÷D)^0.5*0.5