Sailing Magazine
by Richard Crockett
Jack Koper wrote today’s editorial for the 1964 May/June issue of SA Yachting magazine. He is of course the “Father” of the very strong Dabchick Class.
The introduction to the feature read as follows: “Tempest, prototype of Jack Koper ‘s Tempo class of “super-chicks” has been having a workout in the Cape. It provides sizzling performance for two without the need for a trapeze. It is a handsome and cheap-to-build version of one of the oldest small craft in existence, the scow. The American E Class scow, more than 30ft. long, is still the fastest sailing craft afloat.
At the time of writing, Tempest no. 7 had been launched and she was described as follows: “The boat not only proved to be fast in a breeze as was expected, she also showed the way in drifting conditions. The hull weight of 160 lb., her low-wetted surface area when heeled, her low wind resistance, stability and generous sail area make her fast to windward, as well as off the wind. She has, with her 5-ft. beam, enormous righting power and comparative dryness attracted a lot of attention.”
READ MORE HERE: 1964 05-06 – SA Yachting – tempest fugit – OCR
