125 (dinghy)
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The 125 is a 12.5 foot (3.83 m) two person intermediate sailing dinghy complete with main, jib, spinnaker and trapeze. The 125 class has a strong following within Australia with national titles being held every year around the country and local state associations. The class was originally designed as an intermediate class for developing skills with the jib, spinnaker and trapeze but has become popular from novice to experienced sailors.
[edit] 125 class specification
- Length 3.83m
- Beam 1.43m
- Mast 5.65m
- Mainsail 6.5m2
- Jib 3.0m2
- Spinnaker 8.6m2
- Min hull weight 50 kg
- Crew 2 (1 trapeze)
- Hull construction fibreglass, foam, sandwich and/or timber
[edit] Popularity
The 125 class of dinghy is quite popular within Australia where it was developed but is uncommon outside Australia. The class appeals to a wide range of levels of sailing ability due to a number of reasons.
1. Fast and exciting with trapeze and spinnaker
2. Low cost
3. Good boat for learning trapeze and spinnaker skills
4. Optimum total crew weight 110 kg to 120 kg appeals to lighter sailors
5. Forgiving boat to learn to sail in
6. Ability for home building full plans and help available
7. Good boat for parents to sail with children
This has led to a class that is family oriented with parents, children and teenagers all sailing and racing together. This often leaves race organisers with difficulties trying to have all sailors finish within a reasonable time due to the range of skill levels present. However due to the family oriented nature of the class it is common for parents and children or siblings to sail together. As of 2009 there are fleets of 125's in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
[edit] References
- National 125 Sailing Association website
- 2004-2005 Yardsticks. Yachting Victoria.
