Dinghy Sailing
Spearhead Dinghy
In 1961 the fleet accepted that class would settle on this hull as the basis of a restricted design class. The fleet blossomed in the 1960s through to the early 1980s with approximately 330 built in South Africa. A successful showing at at a One of a Kind regatta at Anzio, Italy, in the late 60s saw a few boats built in that country.
Most boats were cold moulded with four seperate fibreglass models produced. The most successful of these by Jack White in Johanessburg, who built about thirty boats from 1977 to 1982. The Spearhead was a shock to the SA sailing scene as no other high performance 16 footer existed, though the Fireball and 505 were to follow shortly. Rightly described as both a crews boa and a missile only the more daring crews and skippers sailed on them. The Spearhead is revelationary as its stability increases the faster she sails. Equally at home in light airs and howling gales and without vice, however requiring competant and athletic crew.
The Spearhead pops onto a plane easily with its large genoa and efficient high aspect mainsail. Onto a run they like a little more centreboard than the broader dinghies, and are very quick with their full 16ft waterline and low wetted surface. The reach is what the Spearhead lives for. Superbly responsive to the rudder, and clean through the water, they sweep up into the puffs and bare off with the slightest control effected. It is a rare crew who goes back to another boat, after having been on a reach in a well managed Spearhead in anything over 15kts.
In later years theyve upped their spinnakers to the old 505 size, which has made them even more exciting to sail. The Spearhead is a match for the modern 505 going to weather, and marginally slower on a run, she comes back into contention on a reach, particularly in the higher wind speeds.
Spearhead Sailing Dinghy Specifications
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