Classes Sailed at WYC
The classes listed are those which are sailed regularly at WYC. It’s preferable to sail with boats of the same class to allow you to develop as a sailor and get useful tips and advice from other club members.
WYC racing has a class start for Laser/ILCA’s and an ‘All-in-Handicap’ start for other classes. Should numbers allow there will be a separate start for catamarans and some summer races have a specific Cadet start for juniors.
Laser/ILCA
Arguably the default singlehanded one design class worldwide, and also at WYC. Lasers are the largest fleet at WYC and have some of the most competitive racing at all levels. Members race with standard, radial and 4.7 rigs with radials being treated as a fleet within a fleet. WYC accepts both Laser and ILCA boats and equipment.
ILCA 6 and 7 are Olympic classes for women and men respectively with pathways for youth development run by the RYA.
ILCA: https://ilca.uk/
Solo
WYC has developed a fleet of Solo’s over the last few years.
The Solo is a traditional single-handed dinghy that has been much developed, with latest boats featuring FRP construction and laminate sails with racing to a highly competitive level in a big national fleet.
Members choose a Solo as its ‘more of a boat’ than a Laser with a deeper cockpit and more conventional rig.
Solo’s race within the All-in-Handicap fleet.
Class Association website: https://www.solosailing.org.uk/
Topper
WYC has a large number of Toppers with racing both in the Cadet fleet and the All-in-Handicap fleet.
WYC has hosted large Topper regattas over recent years culminating with a 106-boat turnout for the Topper Coastal Championships in 2023.
The Topper has become a pathway boat at WYC, with boats used both for training and racing. It was pleasing to see a recent All-in-Handicap series won by a cadet member in a Topper.
The Topper is also an RYA pathway class used to feed young sailors into the Laser/ILCA fleet.
Topper class association website: https://www.itca-gbr.co.uk/
Tasar
A lightweight, fine lined hull and sophisticated rig easily driven to high-performance without the need for trapeze or spinnaker and as a result is much favoured by mixed gender crews at WYC.
With numbers in double figures WYC’s Tasar fleet is one of the largest in the country and offers competitive racing within the All-in-Handicap fleet.
The boats are well made, and hulls remain competitive for many years; the recent GBR National Championships was won by a 22-year-old boat making the Tasar a cost-effective option.
Class association website: https://www.tasargbr.org/
Merlin Rocket
Described by the class association as ‘the ultimate hiking dinghy for two people – refined over 70 years of development, now an extremely modern class providing excellent racing throughout the UK’.
WYC has long history with the class and the current fleet has competitive racing within the All-in-Handicap group.
Owners’ association website: https://www.merlinrocket.co.uk/index.asp
Wanderer
A solid and seaworthy traditional two-person dinghy, the Wanderer offers a stable sail with the flexibility to take a passenger for a cruise and to carry an outboard engine if required.
WYC has a fleet of Wanderer’s who enjoy cruising and racing their boats equally – the national motto is ‘sailing with friends’ which summarises the class at WYC well.
Class association website: https://www.wanderer.org.uk/?v=79cba1185463
Dart 18
A two-person catamaran that can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities, the Dart 18 brought catamaran sailing to the mainstream with modern construction and a simple rig with a fully battened mainsail and no boom.
WYC has a strong association with the class having recently hosted a national level regatta where fleet members performed well.
Class association website: https://www.dart18.com/
Tornado
A powerful two-person high performance catamaran with twin trapezes and large spinnaker, the Tornado is an ex Olympic class with a pedigree that comes from development to the highest level.
Whilst the Tornado is a large and powerful machine, the WYC fleet (probably the largest in the UK) enjoy racing regardless of windstrength.
International class association website: https://www.tornado-class.org/
Windsurfing
At low water and when the wind kicks in, Whitstable Bay offers superb conditions for windsurfing and WYC members are quick to enjoy them throughout the year.
The dynamic of the fleet continues to improve and expand, not only in the ability of the sailors but also in the variety of equipment in use – freeride and wave boards are most numerous with racing longboards making a comeback.
There is a strong camaraderie and a willingness to offer sailing, tuning and technical tips to help everyone enjoy their windsurfing to the utmost, whether it’s a high-speed blast or a relaxed sail in light conditions.
Other Classes
The WYC All-in-Handicap racing welcomes all classes, whilst its usually best to sail or race in a fleet that includes other boats in your class some prefer their specific class for their own personal reasons.
A quick look through the WYC race results shows the breadth of classes enjoyed at the club.
Buying Your Own Boat
Taking the step to buy your own boat (particularly 2nd hand) for the first time can seem daunting, but we’re here to help. We’ve put together a quick guide to help you navigate the waters!
