Sailing Magazine
by Richard Crockett
Having scanned a few Saldanha Dinghy pics into my archives in recent weeks if felt it prudent to share this 1976 editorial written by Colin Farlam.
I must admit to being sympathetic to the following statement: “A far cry from the ‘ironing board’ and ‘coffin’ like sailboats of today, the Sea Scout ‘Saldanha’ dinghy is, by comparison, a real boat.”
With it’s gunter rig, reef points, mild steel plates and oars it is an anachronism reminiscent of the pre-Uffa Fox International 14s and trusty Linton Hope Redwings.
Designed in 1940 by the late ‘ND’ Ross as a training and recreational dinghy for the, then infant, S.A.N. the design was first known as the ‘Services Sixteen Footer’ serving at the Natal Gymnasium in Saldanha Bay and Salisbury Island in Durban.
Seamanship in reefing and de-rigging whilst under way are part and parcel of Scout races and competitors have to round certain marks reefed irrespective of the wind strength going on to then de-rig and finally row the last leg to the finish. By testing leadership and team spirit great fun is had by all, and, as in any boat race, enthusiasm abounds.
READ THE FULL REPORT HERE: Pages from 1976 12 & 1977 01 – Yachtsman RSA – issue 03 – OCR
