BOATS
KEELBOATS
THE TERM KEEBOAT IS ALSO USED TO DESCRIBE ANY SAILBOAT WHICH HAS A KEEL, AS OPPOSED TO A CENTERBOARD OR DAGGER BOARD.
One of the most popular keelboats of its time is the Carioca, of which there are approximately 14 at the club.
Designed by Cees Van Tongeren, of Van De Stadt Yacht Design in Holland in 1971, over 300 of these yachts were built with a fixed keel and were known as “Oceaan 22” in Holland, Japan and Australia. Cees personally sailed in IOR races with this yacht (in 1975 and 1976) and won the 1/8 Ton Cup in Lymington in the UK.
A total of 18 Carioca’s with drop keels were built in South Africa by Thesen’s of Knysna in the 1970’s and although there were other keelboat designs on the vlei, the Carioca was by far the best designed Cruiser/Racer for Hermanus conditions with its unique lifting keel / rudder design and great sailing characteristics.
DINGHIES
Sailing Dinghies are small sailboats with a centerboard for use off the beach, around the harbour, or for lagoon and dam sailing and racing.
Many dinghies race in popular “one design classes” where all boats in a class are of the exact type and measurement and sailed with equal crews (one or two). They are quick and easy to rig and the different rigs can be inter-changed very easily. Dinghies hold their value and their light weight GRP hull makes them maintenance free. In short, a dinghy is a good craft in which to learn about sailing.
The Sonnet is based on the success of the wildly popular 12-foot Dabchick and the 15-foot Tempo. The Sonnet is also an ideal boat for junior sailing.
The hull weighs in at around 70kg, so it has the advantage of being very quick to plane compared to similarly sized dinghies. Little beats the feeling of skimming over the waves at speed. Juniors and novices enjoy the performance and get hooked quickly. It’s a shapely little rocket with a rich history that is ideal for families.
The Dabchick prototype was designed by Jack Koper of Cape Town in 1955. After a season’s sailing where she proved herself, a few design improvements were made and the plans were first published in June 1956.
The growth of the Dabchick class was phenomenal with around 5000 boats having been built. The Dabchick has proved herself over the years to be an excellent trainer for the young sailors between the ages of seven and 18 years. The Dabchick can be sailed single-handed or with a crew.
Optimist Dinghy Class Racing is open to all young sailors under the age of 16. The Optimist Sailing Dinghy is an internationally recognised one-design single-handed sailing craft. Most of the world’s top dinghy sailors gained their experience in an Optimist.
Lasers are the most popular single-hander in the world and the Hermanus Yacht Club has a large fleet. In December 2007 /January 2008 the club was proud to host the Laser 4.7 World Championship.
CATAMARANS
The catamarans’ lightweight hulls enable them to zip across the water. Multihull sailboats are called “catamarans” when they have two hulls and “trimarans” when they have three.
Catamarans come in a variety of sizes, ranging from the popular 14-feet and can surpass 100 feet, to “beach cats” that can be launched from any sandy beach and high-speed ocean racers of 70 feet or more.
In 1967, Hobie Alter designed the Hobie 14 Catamaran and revolutionised the sailing world. Hobie wanted to make a boat that could be easily launched into the surf from the beach and returned to the beach. In 1969 Hobie released, or rather, unleashed the Hobie 16, the most popular catamaran ever and the most competitive catamaran class in the world.
Over 100 000 Hobie Cats are sailing around the world in huge fleets and regattas. Over the years, a special spirit of friendship has graced the sport of Hobie Cat sailing and mariners across the globe have come to call this unique affinity “The Hobie Way of Life”.
CANOES, KAYAKS, SURF SKIS
Paddling is like back-packing on water – you get to go places and see things that others don’t.
While the Hermanus Yacht Club is a sailing club we are committed to formalising the Canoe section of the club and to promoting events that attract paddlers from far and wide. Paddlers are welcome to join us as members and share in the facilities and social aspects of the club, not to mention enjoying the use of your canoe in a safe and natural environment.
MEMBER RESOURCES

SAFETY GUIDELINES
REMEMBER SAFETY FIRST.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) are essential paddling safety items and should be worn at all times regardless of how experienced a paddler you are. They provide buoyancy to keep your head above water if you capsize
Flotation – Ensure your kayak has adequate flotation if swamped. If not use Float bags for an extra measure of safety.
Spray skirts – these should be carried on the boat (if not worn) as basic safety equipment when on expeditions or adventurous trips for in rough conditions or wet weather.
Drinking water in waterproof containers
Paddle leash
Bilge pump and sponge
Leatherman or Knife
Whistle, pencil flares Cell phone &/or radio in waterproof bag
Compass / GPS
Proper clothing, aquatic foot gear & hat. Be prepared for hot and cold weather, wet and dry.
Tow rope
Repair kit: duct tape, spare parts, tools, etc.
Sun screen
First Aid kit in water-proof bag or container. Check regularly.
Store your paddling first-aid kit in an easy-to-access spot in your boat. Medical emergencies demand quick responses.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS – Have emergency numbers pre-programmed on your cell phone (NSRI telephone contact numbers in the area you’re paddling / 082 911 / Police, etc)
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) must be worn at all times.
Emergency numbers
Have emergency numbers pre-programmed on your cell phone (NSRI telephone contact numbers in the area you’re paddling / 082 911 / Police, etc).
Make sure the above are stored where they will be readily accessible should they be required. Carry as many of these devices as possible and know how to use them. Practice with them in a variety of weather conditions so you can use this equipment no matter how bad it gets. It is a good idea in warmer weather to practice capsizing and wet exiting your canoe / kayak and re-entering.
Always paddle with someone else.
File a float plan. Before embarking on a trip, write a float plan giving names of people paddling, where you are starting and finishing your trip, any planned stops along the way, estimated times of arrival and the contact details of who to contact if you are overdue.