Yachting World Dayboat Information, Review, Specs

The genesis of the Yachting World Dayboat dates back to an October 1949 edition of Yachting World magazine, where details of the newly commissioned 14-foot dinghy were first published. Designer G. O'Brien Kennedy was tasked with creating a boat of robust construction, specifically intended for family sailing and general use in various inland and coastal environments. The design aimed to combine stability and safety with capable performance.

Initially, the boat was intended to be easily home-built, with permission granted for professional building under license. While the hull shape and sail area were established as a strict "one design," the class rules allowed for some variation in construction, decking, and fittings, defining it as a "restricted class". This flexibility, while encouraging diverse building methods, also led to initial differences in boat weights and, consequently, performance among early models. Over time, the class evolved, with builders like Chris Somner Dinghy Services now producing GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) versions that adhere closely to the original design principles, ensuring the class's continuity. Chris Somner, whose company was founded in 2004, brings a deep commitment to high-quality dinghy services and building, stemming from his boat-building experience dating back to 1998.

The original design also offered versatility in rigging, providing for an alternative sliding gunter rig or a Bermudan sloop rig.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Yachting World Dayboat is celebrated for its harmonious blend of stability, seaworthiness, and spirited performance, making it a "classic one-design cruising and racing dinghy". With a length overall of 14 feet and a waterline length of 13.67 feet, she boasts a theoretical hull speed of approximately 4.95 knots. Owners frequently describe the Dayboat as fast and enjoyable to sail, possessing the capability of a much larger cruising dinghy.

Her design, featuring a centerboard and a fractional sloop rig, contributes to her versatile sailing characteristics. She is recognized as a fine, stable dinghy suitable for day sailing in open waters and has proven to be a successful racing platform. Anecdotal evidence even suggests remarkable seaworthiness for a dinghy of its size, with one owner reportedly crossing the North Sea in gale-force winds. The boat's responsiveness to crew input is noted, with tuning guides discussing how adjustments, such as spreader length, can de-power the rig to suit different crew weights and conditions.

Accommodations and Layout

As a dedicated dayboat, the Yachting World Dayboat features an open cockpit design, prioritizing sailing functionality and social interaction over enclosed cabin accommodations. The design includes a foredeck, often with a breakwater, and can be fitted with optional side-decks, providing seating and some dry storage. The construction frequently incorporates marine plywood for decks, often epoxy-glued for durability. The layout is practical for a dinghy, offering ample space within the cockpit for crew and gear, without the need for an interior headroom measurement due to its open nature.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Yachting World Dayboat consistently praise its versatility, appreciating its capabilities for both casual day sailing and competitive racing. The design is well-regarded for its solid construction, stability, and comfortable motion in various conditions, aligning with its original brief for robust family use in diverse waters. While the class's "restricted" rather than "strict" one-design rules initially led to some performance variations due to differing construction methods and weights, the fundamental design has endured and proven highly successful. The sentiment within the community sometimes notes a distinction between maintenance requirements, with a playful observation that "wooden Dayboats have staff to look after them, whilst GRP boats, like dogs, have owners," hinting at the care and attention traditional wooden boats may require.