The International 10sq m Canoe has a long association with HISC and it is hoped the present lull in active sailing at the Club is only a temporary situation. With over 120 years of development behind it, the Canoe offers a unique and unmatched sailing experience. Whilst the HISC fleet is low on numbers at present, it is made up by quality, with Simon Allen being the current European and National champion, and often seen at the front of the club’s various pursuit and handicap races.
With its easily driven hull shape, modest sail area and sliding seat that places the helm’s head over 3 metres from the side of the boat, the IC is the antithesis of skiff type boats that rely on huge rigs and flat planning areas for their performance. It is a thinking man’s boat for helms of all ages. The sliding seat is a civilised way to provide enormous righting moment to those whose backs and knees that have seen better days!
Over the last few years the option to use huge mast head asymmetric spinnakers has added a new dimension and this has proved popular in the UK.
However, the class is currently trialing a return to a development rules (that existed prior to the Nethercot one-design hull in 1970). Very few controls are placed on hull design, the main parameters being a minimum waterline width of 750mm and a minimum all-up weight (including the sliding seat) of 50kg! No spinnakers are permitted, but for the first time the option is open to dispense with the jib and have a una rig.
A vote to adopt these rules will follow the World Championship to be held in Melbourne, Australia in January 2008, where over 10 boats built to the trial rule, from all corners of the world, will race against each other for the first time. HISC will be represented in Melbourne by Simon Allen (in a new Australian built IC) and Phil Robin in a new IC designed by Phil Morrison to the development rule.
It is hoped that the new development rules will encourage both former canoeists at HISC back into the fleet, as well as new sailors who have never experienced the delights of canoe sailing.
Contact Phil Robin if you are interested in joining the IC fleet at HISC.
Further information on the boat, including buying one, can be found on the IC Association website
IC Association website
