Shearwater Iii Information, Review, Specs

The Shearwater III commenced production in 1956. While originally offered by Prout as a kit, featuring fiberglass hulls and a plywood bridgedeck, its builder is identified as Fairey Marine Ltd. in the provided data, a company renowned for applying aviation-derived techniques to boat building. Fairey Marine's unique "hot molding" process, which involved molding plywood veneers under heat and pressure, was instrumental in creating extremely strong, lightweight, and durable hulls. This innovative construction method, characteristic of Fairey Marine's ethos during that era, contributed to the Shearwater III's reputation for being both responsive and robust.

The Shearwater III is categorized as a "Restricted Development Class", meaning its hull shape, size, total sail area, and mast height were subject to specific restrictions to ensure competitive racing. A notable feature, reflecting its performance-oriented design, was the allowance for twin trapezes, enabling crews to maximize righting moment and speed. The class also saw the introduction of a spinnaker in 1972, further enhancing its downwind performance.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a light and agile racing catamaran, the Shearwater III was designed for spirited performance. With a hull speed of approximately 5.33 knots, it was capable of impressive speeds for its size and era. The twin-hulled design inherent to catamarans provided a wide platform, contributing to stability and reducing heel compared to monohulls, which is advantageous for racing. Its lightweight fiberglass and wood composite construction ensured it was nimble and quick to accelerate. Owners often appreciate the Shearwater's responsiveness and high-performance capabilities as a small racing catamaran.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its design as a 16.5-foot (5.03m) racing catamaran intended for a crew of two, the Shearwater III offers no significant interior accommodations or enclosed living spaces [4,. Its layout is entirely focused on the needs of day sailing and competitive racing, with an open cockpit and minimal structure beyond the hulls, bridgedeck, and trampolines necessary for crew movement and sail handling. Any storage would be limited to small, open compartments suitable for essential racing gear rather than overnight provisions.