Colourful Albacores line the shore of Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club, in Shelburne, Nova Scotia photographed by Helen Archer. keeping watch

The Albacore The Albacore Association and Evolution Sails join EVOLUTION forces for Success “Believe me, my young friend, there is turnout by any measure, and a sold nothing - absolutely nothing - half so out event. much worth doing as simply messing The afternoon with Greg Bratkiw, about in boats.” John Dakin and their dedicated team, offered attendees the opportunity to K. Grahame The Wind in the Willows gain a greater appreciation for the With beloved vessels huddled aspects of sail design and production, under snow covered canvas tarp including everything from optimal sail through the cold Canadian winter shape design and the technical aspects who knew bendiness was even a months, avid sailors are always on of CAM-cutting fabric, to taping, word, and yet in the depth of winter the lookout for the closest thing to stitching and finishing. Discussions such words are like oxygen to sailors “messing about on boats”. One could be overheard covering subjects deprived of their favourite pastime. grey day this past February, sixty only a sailor could love, including Albacores are a common sight on plus enthusiastic Albacore sailors and the level of complexity of cutting Canada’s lakes and sailing schools, racers, members of the Canadian and stitching a jib sail compared to a and Toronto’s Friday night racing Albacore Association, found just that , vertical depth distribution, series held from early May through opportunity at Evolution Sail’s 11,000 and the importance of creating just September consistently starts with sq. ft. sail loft in Toronto, spending a the right curve in the stitch line for 45-60 boats. The Commodore of the great afternoon gamming with fellow optimum sail shape. You could have Canadian Albacore Association Mary sailors and learning the art and science even participated in discussion on Neumann and Secretary Ian Brayshaw of sailmaking first hand from a couple the bendiness of individual masts. It commented that this successful event of the most experienced sailmakers in seems that even if all Albacore sails was not only a wonderful example of the country. Representing half of the were made exactly the same, sail the ongoing support and collaborative entire Toronto fleet of 100 Albacores, performance will differ on each boat relationship between Evolution Sails docked at several clubs within the depending on the bendiness of the and the Albacore fleet, but also a clear Toronto Harbour, it was an impressive individual mast. It makes sense, but example of the immense enthusiasm

32 2013 LAUNCH Say you saw it in GAM for Canadian sailors and racers use of the boats and participation of Albacore dinghies, proudly in the social activities, creating a committing on its website to the wonderful community in which to promotion and support of “anyone step into the wonderful world of in Canada who races, learns to sailing, or take the next sail on, or simply just loves this step to excel in racing. awesome boat.” The CAS acts as Toronto Clubs a facilitator, coordinating regattas, maintaining an The Commodore of the Canadian Albacore ensuring national standards are Albacore fleet include Toronto Association Mary Neumann shown here maintained, coordinating purchases Island Club, Moordale Club, St. with Secretary Ian Brayshaw of boats, (The Albacore fleet is James Town and Westwood. Other constantly being renewed. Twelve Ontario clubs with fleets include Albacore sailors have for their sport new Albacores will be delivered to Hamilton Bay, Nepean and Kanata and their class. the Toronto Harbour in 2013.) and Sailing Clubs. assisting participating clubs, in every CANADIAN ALBACORE way they can. The clubs purchase the THE ALBACORE ASSOCIATION fleet of Albacores and the club racers SAILING DINGHY The Canadian Albacore Association maintain them, and for reasonable The 2011 International Albacore (CAS) is a volunteer association monthly club fees, offered unlimited Champion described the Albacore as

Evolution Sails is a world-renowned manufacturer of cruising and racing sails, with a worldwide network of lofts all linked by cutting edge technology and world-class expertise. With locations in Canada, U.S. Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and The Netherlands, Evolution Sails offers world-class expertise in the art and science of sailmaking. Of all the sails manufactured in their Toronto location, Albacores top the chart with 40-60 sails produced annually, and more when the Internationals and Worlds are held locally. PHOTOS: TOP CLOCKWISE: John Dakin demonstrates taping cut sail pieces, Greg Bratkiw reviewing components of good sail design. Greg demonstrating computerized sail cutting sytems.

Say you saw it in GAM 2013 LAUNCH 33 Albacore is considered a very forgiv- core Championships, attracting sailors ing boat to learn to sail on. Regatta mostly from Nova Scotia and On- results show that the Albacore is often tario, so hosting the Nationals marks a sailed by husband/wife and parent/ significant and proud step forward for child combinations, and that some SHYC. of the all-women teams are the most Guy Tipton was one of the main competitive in the class. catalysts for the interest in dinghy Albacore dinghies gather for fun, sailing. Representing SHYC, Guy and sailing and racing from Nova Sco- his crewman, Matt King, placed 1st in tia to the Ontario cottage country, the 2012 North American Albacore and in states along the Eastern US Championships and, with enthusiastic and throughout the United Kingdom, Club support, has introduced many with a particularly large concentration local youngsters to sailing, with some of Albacores in Toronto, where the already proving to be highly proficient Friday night club race series sees an racers; young SHYC crew has placed average of 45 boats, and peaks at over 1st two years in a row at the Sea Ca- 60 boats, on the start line every week det 420. during the summer sailing season. In preparation for hosting the Nationals, SHYC has invested CANADIAN ALBACORE extensively to improve its infrastruc- NATIONAL ture, including the recent conversion CHAMPIONSHIPS of an adjacent former boatyard a boat that is simple to get into at first, The 2013 CAA Canadian Albacore building into new premises for the but one that will challenge the tuning National Championships will take Sailing Academy and Family Waters- and tactical skills of a sailor for the rest place on Shelburne Harbour from ports Centre. The inception of the of their life. July 26 to 28, hosted by the Shelburne Family Watersports Centre recognizes The Albacore is a 4.6 m (15 ft) two Harbour Yacht Club, reputed to be the value SHYC places on encourag- person dinghy, for lake and one of the most welcoming yacht ing a broader spectrum of interest in near-inshore day sailing. Hulls are clubs on the East Coast. nautical pursuits, particularly targeting made of either wood or fibreglass. Shelburne Harbour, jutting 10 km the younger families. As well, an The basic shape was developed into Nova Scotia’s southwest shore- additional launching slipway has been in 1954 from an design. line, is situated in an area affection- constructed, bringing the number of Recent boats retain the same classic ately known locally as the banana belt, slipways to three in order to maximize dimensions, and use modern materi- in reference to the warming effect speed of launch and recovery of als and modern control systems. A of the ocean that tends to keep local competitors. These improvements deep airfoil section centerboard and temperatures reasonably moderate. will ensure that Shelburne Harbour rudder make the Albacore highly ma- Situated at the head of the expansive Yacht Club will not only be an noeuvrable. The Albacore’s rig uses Shelburne Harbour, Shelburne Yacht excellent venue for the 2013 CAA swept spreaders supporting a tapered Club, (SHYC) is situated well in from Canadian Albacore National Champi- mast, a powerful vang, and adjustable open ocean so, although the winds onship races, but also a place where jib halyard and other sail controls to can be sporty especially in the after- competitors’ families can enjoy lovely depower in high winds. This adjust- noon when the diurnal effect kicks in, Club facilities. ability enables light crews and heavy the seas are normally flat, making for crews to race head-to-head in all ideal sailing conditions. The 2013 Canadian Albacore but the most extreme conditions. Formally established in 1903, Championships will be held July 26-28 It does not have a trapeze or spin- SHYC has supported a keelboat at the SHYC, in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. naker, and hence avoids the difficult racing program for many years, and Albacore International Championships handling of sport boats. The powerful has only recently taken an active are held every two years, rotating rig and easily-driven hull give excel- role in re-starting in between Canada, U.S. and U.K. The 2011 lent performance over a wide range the harbour. For the past five years Championships were hosted in Toronto. of wind and wave conditions. The SHYC hosted the East Coast Alba- This year’s 2013 races will be in Wales, UK.

34 2013 LAUNCH Say you saw it in GAM The Shelburne Sailing Academy has put over 300 children and adults through it’s Learn The docks of the historic Shelburne to Sail program. Every year since 2008, SHYC has hosted the East Coast Albacore Harbour Yacht Club, photographed Championships, the largest open International Class Dinghy regatta in the whole of the by Helen Archer of Shelburne, Nova Province of Nova Scotia. For more information on the Nationals, how to transport your boats, Scotia. You can view more of Helen’s accommodations etc., please watch the CAA site at albacore.ca and SHYC site at shyc.ca photos via Facebook or contact her through GAM

Say you saw it in GAM 2013 LAUNCH 35