Stingray catamaran
 |
This article is an orphan, as few or no other articles link to it. Please introduce links to this page from related articles; suggestions are available. (July 2010) |
The Stingray Catamaran sport catamaran is an Australian designed 5.5 m long beach catamaran with a twin trapeze setup.
It is sailed doublehanded with a jib and mainsail.
Overview
The Stingrays high volume 18 ft (5.5m) hulls are constructed of plywood or fibreglass/foam sandwich to produce a light 88.5 kg platform. The Stingray carries both a mainsail and jib giving a total sail area of 225 square feet, with both skipper and crew on trapeze this cat truly flies. The simple but highly efficient rig and predictable performance means the Stingray is safe and comfortable (though often very wet) even for those with limited experience.
The Stingray platform was designed in 1960's. However in the 1980 the boat was given a major rig overhaul with the addition of a taller Wing-shaped mast and an increase in sail area. Boats with the "Big Rig" are now known as Mk2 Stingrays, very few Mk1 Stingrays still exist.
Although the Stingray could be considered an older design it continues to be a VERY fast boat. With a very large head sail (jib) few boats are faster on a reach, this is highlighted by the fact that traditionally Stingrays have done very well in passage style races such as the Goolwa-Milang in SA.
Class Development
The Stingray is still actively sailing in South Australia and Victoria. National titles continue to be held each summer.
Although outside of class rules and unable to be used in class competition (ie. National Titles) recent years have seen Asymmetric Spinnakers or 'Kites' added to the Stingray for increased downwind performance. Two of the Kite enabled Stingrays were set up in South Australia by members of the Victor Harbor Yacht Club. Despite speculation that the rig would not be able sustain the high loads inflicted by the Kite The Shadow (#582) now based in VIC is yet to have any serious malfunction, and the manufacturer of the "Superwing" mast feels the mast is strong enough. It is widely accepted that sailing catamarans downwind is their slowest and most boring point of sail, the spinnaker changes this dramatically... what a ride!
