The Greenwich Sailing Club offers an exciting sailing opportunity for youth sailors in Sydney. Located on the magnificent Sydney Harbour, this dinghy sailing club specialises in the 29er class. Now, you might be wondering, what exactly is a 29er?
Well, the 29er is a strict one design international class that primarily targets youth sailors. It is actually the smaller sister to the Olympic 49er Class, and it is even being considered as a possible Olympic Women's 2 handed high performance dinghy. The 29er is built with low-cost, readily obtainable high strength polyester FRP for the hull and deck, allowing for easy repairs. The blades are aluminium with a foam core, providing a combination of strength and lightness. Plus, the rudder is a dagger board design that slots into an alloy rudder stock.
When it comes to the sails, the main and jib sails are fully battened Mylar, while the spinnaker is an asymmetric triradial cut for longer life. All these components are also strict one design, which means everyone has an equal chance in the races.
This fantastic class is targeted at youth sailors who are honing their skills to eventually sail the bigger 49er. With a single trapeze and a fractional asymmetric spinnaker, the 29er offers an exhilarating sailing experience. The Class has become a modern replacement to the Laser 2 and even features in the prestigious ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships. Plus, the self-tacking jib reduces the workload for the crew, making manoeuvres more efficient. It's a challenging yet rewarding sailing experience that requires athleticism and coordination.
Let's talk about the construction of the 29er. The hull is made using fibreglass-reinforced polyester in a foam sandwich layout, ensuring both strength and durability. The fully battened mainsail and jib are made from a transparent Mylar laminate with stylish orange or red Dacron trimming. And when it comes to the spinnaker, it is manufactured from ripstop Nylon. The mast is composed of three parts, with an aluminium bottom and middle section, and a carbon-fiber composite tip to enhance mast bend and reduce weight. With its sleek and hydrodynamic hull design, the 29er can quickly reach high speeds, often exceeding the wind speed when planing both upwind and downwind.
The Greenwich Sailing Club sails every Sunday afternoon from September to March, so mark your calendars. If you're interested in joining this thrilling sailing adventure, you can find more information on their website or follow them on Facebook. And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to give them a call at 0468 655 228. So pack your sailing gear and get ready for an unforgettable experience with the Greenwich Sailing Club in Sydney!
Greenwich Sailing Club