Rainbow Sailing

Rainbow 

Australian Dinghy Centreboard

About: Over a series of races the Rainbow has proven itself to be one of the fastest twelve footers afloat, and actually the Rainbow will attain a faster maximum speed than any other twelve footer. This amazing speed is reached in approximately a 20-knot wind on a three quarter run with spinnaker set and crew on the trapeze. At this point of sailing Rainbows have often been known to pace it with larger classes.

History: Perth Yachtsman R.J. Hill really started something in 1940 when he designed and built a 12 foot skimmer hull, developed from the American Moth class. He called the new craft 'Iona' and surprised everyone by easily defeating the champion twelve footers of Perth.Iona's performance impressed local yachtsman, who promtptly obtained plans from Hill and embarked on a building programme, which gave birth to the Rainbow class. Today* twenty clubs throughout Australia sponsor the Rainbow, and since 1955, National championships have been held, a team of six boats from each state competing during the first week of January. Each team must contain at least one junior representitive (under 18 years on 1st October). Both junior and senior titles are decided over five heats using the Olympic points system. *from National Rainbow Manual 'History in Brief' introduction, published late 1960's.

Specifications:

Hull	plywood (3/16" marine ply minimum) construction popular with owner builders.
weight	not less than 110lbs. (approx. 50 kg)
length	12'
beam	3'10 1/2"
max depth	14 3/4"
Mast	Height above deck not to exceed 17'
Sails
main	65 sq. ft.
jib	25 sq. ft.
spinnaker	75 sq. ft.

Websites: None known

Sailed at: Affiliated clubs (according to 1960's Class Manual) VICTORIA Mordialloc Sailing Club Frankston Yacht Club Mildura Sailing Club Parkdale Sailing Club SOUTH AUSTRALIA Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club Glenelg Sailing Club Grange Sailing Club Kangaroo Island Yacht Club Largs Bay Sailing Club Port Adelaide Sailing Club Port Lincoln Yacht Club Royal Port Pirie Yacht Club NEW SOUTH WALES Broken Hill Sailing Club QUEENSLAND Cairns Sailing Club TASMANIA Burnie Yacht Club Kingston Beach Sailing Club Lindisfarne Sailing Club Leven Sailing Club Montrose Sailing Club Sandy Bay Sailing Club