Sabre class sticks with current sail design
by Bruce Abbott 29 Jun 2021 22:40 UTC
Starting line - 2021 46th Victorian Sabre State Championships © Russell Bates
Sabre, the well known Australian one design single handed dinghy, continues to grow its fleet as evidenced by the recent 62 Victorian State Championship entries.
Although having strict measurement rules, for the almost 50 years history of the class, it has always been open to rule amendments incorporating improvements in building techniques and materials. During the past two years Sabres have been trialling a new sail design. This involved extensive sailing in different wind, wave and crew conditions around Australia. Individual reports on each trial were received and a survey of participants and other interested Sabre sailors was undertaken by Sabre Sailing Association of Australia (SSAA).
Whilst the trial design was positively received, SSAA have unanimously agreed that there is insufficient support from current sailors to warrant a change. Hence the current well recognised sail will continue to power the Sabre for the foreseeable future.