Daring gets new deck and interior makeover

by Class media on 16 Jun 2009
Approaching its Golden Jubilee in 2011, the Daring is still one of the most popular one design yachts sailing out of Cowes. Now this competitive Metre yacht is about to welcome a new development into its fleet with a newly designed deck by the gifted Naval Architect, Theo Rye.

Theo has a passion for Metre yachts both classic and modern and has been retained by the Class to guide through new ideas for a modern updated deck mould. The first deck is currently in build and incorporates a larger cockpit for improved crew comfort and is cambered rather than the present flat deck making it more efficient and even better looking!

The Class already owns an excellent original hull mould which will be used for any new boats built, and with no rig changes the Class has ensured that its existing yachts will continue to be competitive with any new or upgraded yacht incorporating the new Theo Rye deck. The result has been to maintain a highly competitive fleet for boats of all ages.

To compliment the new deck Theo has designed new interior mouldings to incorporate forward and aft bulkheads giving positive buoyancy in the event of flooding, dry on board storage and a centre console and raised sole area for improved crew efficiency and handling systems. The essential principle being that none of these improvements will affect boat performance; hull shape, weight, centre of gravity, sail plan and standing rigging will be identical for new and old boats.

Most Daring’s are owned by small syndicates encouraging the widest possible experience in each boat from beginner to Olympic Gold Medallist sailors. This arrangement also spreads the running costs and ensures that the boats are raced and enjoyed to the full.

One Daring syndicate has already committed to build the new design boat, number 37, to be named DEBUTANTE which will be sailing in the 2009 Metre Regatta. Once sailing the Class expects that further new builds will be commissioned, with the possibility of new fleets developing in other locations to enjoy the special pleasure of racing a Daring. Debutante will also be shown at the 2009 Southampton Boat Show.

The Daring Class remains as competitive as ever representing the largest class at the last Metre and Classic Yacht regatta’s and typically hosts 28 to 30 starters during Cowes week.

The Daring

The Daring was designed as a One Design by Arthur Robb based on his successful 5.5 metre yacht 'Vision', the Silver Medal winner in the 1956 Olympics. The classic design has proved popular and enduring offering the best value for money for One Design racing of its type.

The Daring is a robust yacht and gear failures or breakages are rare. In the event of a problem, however, Lallows of Cowes hold spares and a damaged Daring on Saturday will be seen racing in the fleet the next day having been repaired overnight if necessary.

The Daring’s special One design rules allow the Class to continuously improve the sail and rigging plan by adopting the latest designs and high quality materials. Careful management by a skilled and dedicated Controlling Board and Committee has maintained the competitiveness of every boat in the fleet with original boats built in 1961 still regularly winning races.

Costs are kept down and uniform performance is maintained by only buying sails, as a class, from a single source; adhering to strict scrubbing and antifouling rules; and only using one carefully controlled yard who knows each boat and the Class as a whole very well.