dragon class yachts

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Breathing on the Dragon class – how the long-lived keelboat gets a makeover in Dubai

• Matthew Sheahan
• July 3, 2015

One of the most famous keelboat classes in the world gets a huge makeover in Dubai. Matthew Sheahan went to find out more

The new Dragon from Premier Composite Technology has been subtly refined in all areas

Receiving Olympic status is not always the blessing you might expect. The rate at which some of the world’s best sailors and teams refine and develop Olympic class boats and the costs that ensue can be a problem in the longer term. You can end up with highly refined boats that often have short competitive shelf lives, taking them out of the normal league for amateur sailors and damaging the grass roots support for a class.

So gaining Olympic credentials can prove to be a poisoned chalice. Some classes have even been said to have actively discouraged the attention of the Olympic committee for fear of alienating their mainstream constituents.

But not the Dragon. Designed in 1929 by Norwegian Johan Anker, the Dragon was made an Olympic class in 1948 and remained one until 1972, since when the elegant and distinctive keelboat has continued to be popular, offering good competition for a broad spread of abilities.

Represented in more than 26 countries, the worldwide fleet is over 1,500 with a high standard of racing for its annual world and European championships as well as the prestigious Gold Cup, which regularly attracts around 100 entries.

On the technical front the class has also managed to strike a careful balance between being a one-design and having areas open to restricted development.

Back to basic design

Yet despite this there have been few, if any, design studies that have gone back to basics and started afresh in optimising the boat. Until now.

Apart from its impressive track record in composite work in architectural, aviation and rail projects, Dubai-based Premier Composite Technology is best known in the marine world for building grand-prix raceboats such as the Farr 400, the GC32 foiling cats and most recently the Farr 280.

But now, after a two-year study that involved designing seven hulls and building five prototypes, the company has launched its brand new, breathed-on Dragon.

Driven by top Dragon sailors Markus Wieser and Hendrik Witzmann, the project pulled in some serious players, including Andy Claughton from the Wolfson Unit in Southampton, Paolo Manganelli, senior engineer at Gurit, and designer Klaus Roeder. They started with seven different hull and keel sections, which were tested using a velocity prediction program (VPP) from which two designs were then selected.

“Initially we looked at a number of radical options,” explains Witzmann. “From these studies there appeared to be some big gains in some areas, but these also meant having to accept some big compromises. In the end we opted for two designs that were more conservative and looked more likely to be good all-rounders.”

While there is room to alter hull shapes within the class rules, the tolerances are small. One example is the measurement around the hull which allows a maximum tolerance of 0.05 per cent at each of the seven templated measurement stations. This translates to a maximum tolerance of 16mm measured away from the hull at midships and just 8mm in the forward sections. The scope for tweaking the hull shape is clearly small, but nonetheless considered to be worthwhile by PCT.

“By creating a shape that is narrow amidships and fuller in her ends we have produced a hull that has a long waterline length,” says Witzmann.

Improved stiffness

Improved stiffness was also a technical goal, especially longitudinally. “Fore and aft stiffness is particularly important on a Dragon because of the running backstays,” continues Witzmann, “as they can induce a good deal of bending in this plane. Keeping the boat stiff maintains the waterline length and hence her maximum speed.”

Also contributing to increased stiffness, the PCT Dragon has all bulkheads bonded into the hull rather than relying on an inner liner for the internal structure.

Decks are clean and watertight

The hull itself is a solid laminate construction using woven rovings and unidirectional fibres throughout rather than chopped strand mat, of which there is none. The PCT Dragon even avoids the use of gelcoat in order to allow more structural material to be included within the rule limit on panel weight of 12kg/m 2 and the resin is vacuum-infused to ensure a tight control on this weight. Under the rules no carbon or Kevlar is allowed in the hull or deck.

But while stiffness was important, so too was keeping weight out of the ends, both in the structure and in the amount of water that might find its way inside. Dispensing with a spinnaker chute and launching the kite from a bag in the cockpit 470-style helped to reduce the weight of the chute and its tube, as well as preventing water being shipped through the bow.

The keel came in for some special attention. “Normally the keels are cast iron, but on this boat we used a CNC milling machine,” says Witzmann. “This is the first time this has been done on a Dragon and the process allows us to get close to the maximum keel weight of 1,010kg, as well as achieving a perfectly symmetrical shape.”

Unlike other Dragons where the ballast for the keel is encapsulated in the hull/keel laminate, the PCT Dragon’s keel is fitted from below and coated with a thin layer of glassfibre, which helps to achieve a slightly lower centre of gravity.

Cockpit layout

But it’s not just the structural elements that have come up for review; the layout of the cockpit has also been studied carefully. Among subtle changes, the coachroof and coamings have been altered to allow better control of the horizontal jib car travellers and more comfortable positions for hiking.

A modern Dragon’s cockpit is a string fest and a dream for deck hardware suppliers

The position of the mainsheet traveller drew plenty of attention as the team tried to exploit all the structural benefit they could from this member, as well as making it more efficient from a sail trim point of view. But the area also provided another important detail: support for the helmsman. Toestraps are not allowed in the class so the shape and positioning of the central unit was refined to allow foot support when hiking.

The theory was put into practice for the first time in October 2013 when the first prototype was launched in Dubai. Since then two boats have been shipped to Europe for further testing. This season the company will start to build production versions and engage in the international circuit.

For all the detailed analysis and testing of the previous two years it is here on the circuit in this fiercely competitive fleet that the results will be revealed and the company finds out whether breathing on the Dragon really has made her fly.

New Dragon in build

The longitudinal bulkhead in the after section extends up to the underside of the deck to maximise the stiffness of the boat in this area

Refining the mainsheet traveller control area helps when it comes to foot support for the helmsman. Toestraps are prohibited by the Dragon class rules

All bulkheads and structural members are laminated into the hull rather than use an inner liner

Among subtle changes, the flared coachroof allows for more efficient horizontal jib travellers

She may be elegant above decks, but a snake pit below as many of the control lines run under deck

Milling the keel from an oversized casting achieves precise weight and a perfectly symmetrical section

This is an extract from a feature in the June issue of Yachting World

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Sailing yachts

Classic International Dragon

• Designer: Johan Anker
• Builder: Camper and Nicholson
• Location: Cornwall
• Length on deck: 29'3"
• Draft: 3'10"

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Full specification

Classic international dragon yacht for sale, 29 ft sailing boat for sale.

International Dragon was designed by Johan Anker and built by Camper and Nicholson in 1947, yard No.740.

She was one of 4 Dragons built by C&N that year, including Bluebottle, a wedding present from the Island Sailing Club to the late Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip.

The Dragon is a Scandinavian design from the pen of Johan Anker and was first drawn in 1929. A fast and exciting boat to sail that has become popular worldwide, with many examples being built not only in Scandinavia but right across Europe.  The Class is still very active today, and the boats are now built in GRP and raced very competitively.

This boat was completely rebuilt by the previous owner between 2000 – 2002, full list of work done below.

Since 2004 she has been sailed by the current owner in and around Falmouth, used for day sailing in the summer and stored undercover every winter.

She has a custom-made road trailer from Tyrone Snell, making her versatile and easy to keep.

Length on Deck                 29’3”

Length Waterline             18’8”

Beam                                    6’5”

Draft                                      3’10”

2000-2002 refit work

• Hull stripped to bare wood and seams splined
• All cracked timbers replaced
• All new bronze screw plank fastenings
• New bronze keel bolts
• New transom
• New teak on ply deck
• Coachroof rebuilt with new deck
• Hull faired and painted with 2 pack polyurethane paint

Other classic yachts for sale

International Dragon One Design

Dragon class keelboat

Construction

Carvel planked in pitch pine all bronze screw fastened to steam bent oak timbers.  All new screw fastenings in the refit.

Bottom 5 planks each side fastened with copper rivets.

During the major rebuild the hull was splined to give a tight and fair finish.

Heavy sawn timber floors across the centreline with keel bolts passing through them.

External lead ballast keel of 1 ton with bronze keel bolts.  New keel bolts in the refit.

Marine plywood bulkheads fore and aft of the cockpit bonded to the hull with epoxy for added rigidity.

Plywood hanging knees bonded into the hull with epoxy.

Yacht laid teak deck with varnished teak covering boards and king plank.  Teak deck is glued to a marine plywood sub deck that is screwed to the deck beams.

Simple cockpit with varnished bench seat either side and a painted plywood sole boards.

Small coachroof in the Dragon style with varnished mahogany coamings and a laid teak coachroof deck.

Masthead Bermudan sloop rig on a keel stepped varnished spruce mast.

Varnished spruce slab reefing boom.

Stainless steel standing rigging to internal stainless steel chain plates.  These have been fixed to large wooden blocks bonded to the side of the hull which spread the load of the rig down the topsides.

Plastimo roller furling headsail system

Pair of original bronze cockpit sheet winches plus a newer pair of Anderson non-self tailing cockpit sheet winches.

Set of Patrick Selman sails in fair condition including mainsail and genoa, also a spinnaker plus a collection of spare sails which include a set of North Sails.

Tyrone Snell twin axle galvanised road trailer

5hp outboard engine with bracket

Mainsail and genoa by North Sails

Mainsail cover

Spinnaker plus other spare sails

Spinnaker pole

Plastimo roller furling genoa system

Whale Gusher manual bilge pump

Cockpit cover

Warps and fenders

15kg CQR anchor with warp and chain

Wooden Ships classic yachts brokers have an extensive database of boats for sale. With a wide range of sailboats , classic yachts , motor yachts and small classic boats , Wooden Ships has one of the largest selections of traditional wooden boats and yachts for sale in the UK.

Disclaimer:

These particulars have been prepared in good faith from information provided by the Vendors and are intended as a guide, Wooden Ships cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. The Purchaser should instruct his agent or surveyor to validate all details as necessary and satisfy himself with the condition of the vessel and its equipment.

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Upcoming Dragon Events

Bda scottish championship 2024, bda committee meeting november 2024, wa state and australasian championship 2025, bda agm and dinner 2025.

Dragon Class

Class contact information.

Click below

Class Email

Class Website

One-Design Class Type: Keelboat

Was this boat built to be sailed by youth or adults? Adult

Approximately how many class members do you have? 40

Photo Credit:Christopher Nordhoff

Photo Credit: Chip Riegel

Photo Credit: Dale Northey

About Dragon Class

The Boat – Technically demanding, Classic lines, Modern spars and rigging The People – Raced by a range of ages and genders – crew of 3 or 4 within weight limits, Great social events The Class – Active in 30 countries, 5 continents, with 1420 registered boats, Racing at local, national and world levels, Classic and Corinthian trophies, Active racing fleets in NA on the West Coast, Great Lakes

IDA Yearbook 2020/2021: http://bit.ly/35Gtiwm

Boats Produced: 1500

Class boat builder(s):

BB Sailing I/S, Denmark Doomernik Dragons, Netherlands Petticrows Ltd, UK Pinnacle Yachts / Ridgeway Dragons, Australia Premier Composite Technologies LLC, United Arab Emirates Vejle Yacht Services APS / Royal Dragon, Denmark

Approximately how many boats are in the USA/North America? 80

Where is your One-Design class typically sailed in the USA? List regions of the country:

West Coast, North East, Great Lakes

Does this class have a spinnaker or gennaker? Yes

How many people sail as a crew including the helm?  4

Ideal combined weight of range of crew:  max weight 628 lb (285 kg)

Boat Designed in  1929

Length (feet/inches): 29 feet 2 inches

Beam: 6 feet 5 inches

Weight of rigged boat without sails: 2 tons

Draft: 3 feet 10 inches

Mast Height: 35 feet (stepped to keel)

Tuning Guides Tuning Guides Tuning Guides

Class rules (pdf doc).

Back to One-Design Central

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Year of the dragon: superyachts and sailing yachts to celebrate Chinese New Year

To celebrate the Chinese New Year (10 February) and the Year of the Wood Dragon, enjoy our roundup of yachts with nautical dragon connections and learn about the history of traditional Chinese dragon rowing boats. Finally, discover how the Dragon sailing yacht came to be named.

Fiery dragons have long been an inspiration for designers – as witnessed with the 79.9-metre superyacht Dragon , designed by Hydro Tec , the majestic 51.7-metre Dubois -designed sailing yacht Red Dragon and last (but no means least), the Bannenberg & Rowell -designed superyacht Blue Sky in Hainan in 2013. This was the first superyacht to be built by Feadship for a client in mainland China and the 44.7-metre yacht was launched in a colourful ceremony that combined Chinese and Dutch maritime cultures, with lion dancers included.

Dragon boats: their history and meaning

Dragon boats are long, narrow wooden boats with a carved dragon’s head at the bow and a tail in the stern, with a hull that is often painted with dragon scales. Paddlers compete in traditional sport racing, along with a Paradragon (para athlete) class. In sport racing there are 18 to 20 paddlers in a standard boat and eight to 10 paddlers in a smaller boat, plus a drummer and a helm – sometimes more – for festivals. Strength, endurance, skill, teamwork and harmony of purpose are all factors that come into play over courses of 200 to 2000 metres. The British Dragon Boat Association explains why the Dragon is symbolic for the Chinese people: "A classic dragon has the head of an ox; a deer's antlers; the mane of a horse; the body and scales of a snake; the claws of an eagle and the tail of a fish. With its strength and power the Dragon rides the clouds in the sky and commands the wind, mist and rain."

The history of dragon boats can be traced back over 2000 years ago, to Qu Yuan, the poet and philosopher, who committed suicide by drowning himself in the river Mi Lo to protest against political corruption. Fishermen raced to recover his body before it could be devoured by fish, beating drums to distract them. To commemorate Qu Yuan's sacrifice, Dragon boat races were organised and became part of Chinese culture, representing patriotism and group integrity. 

The "Modern Era" of International Dragon Boat racing started in 1976 in Hong Kong and the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) was founded in 1991. There are over 300,000 participants in Europe, from the UK to Ukraine, and 90,000 in the USA and Canada, not forgetting the nearly 50 million in China.

The International Dragon Class

Having nearly a century of history behind it – and 1,300 boats in 31 countries registered as active – this class was first conceived in 1929 in Scandinavia by Norwegian sailor Johan Anker. At the time there was a need for an inexpensive yacht, especially for younger sailors, as the economic outlook was poor in Europe. The original boat featured a cabin and bunks, but by the 1940s most Dragons were used for racing and the bunks were removed. 

Enquiries to Petticrows, an established builder of Dragons (now based in Portugal), uncovered the reason this class is named the Dragon. Nicky Wilton, Dragon sailor and editor of the IDA Dragon Year Book, explained the name came about because of a clever play with words. The designer, Johan Anker, was Norwegian. Anker in English sounds like anchor. An anchor in Norwegian is drage , which is quite close to draga , which is Norwegian for a dragon beast, which leads to the English word "dragon".

In 1946 Peter Lunde, one of Norway's best Dragon sailors at the time, travelled to London with the aim of promoting international regatta Dragon classes, having sought the Anker family's permission to use Johan Anker's drawings. The Dragon was awarded Olympic status that year and the first races featured in the 1948 Olympics in Torbay. The French, in fact, chartered a Dragon from Torbay local William E. Jeffery as their boat did not pass the measurement scrutineers' attention. To no avail – Norway, Sweden and Denmark picked up Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. 

By then, Dragon fever had swept the country. The same year as the Olympics, the Camper & Nicholsons -constructed Dragon Bluebottle was presented to the late Duke of Edinburgh and then Princess Elizabeth as a wedding present, paid for by the Island Sailing Club members in Cowes. One reason for the Dragon's success is said by the International Dragon Association to be its "paradoxical emphasis on tradition and renewal". Alloy spars were introduced in 1970 and GRP boats arrived in 1973, a year after the Dragon ceased to be an Olympic class.

Wood Dragons are still constructed and there is a separate Classic Dragon class for carvel-planked wooden Dragons, mostly built before 1972, and a Vintage class for GRP Dragons of over 25 years old. Sailors from all backgrounds compete, between the ages of 8 and 85 – from ex-Olympic medallists to kings, princesses and local club sailors.

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This year, the Dragon class is 90. The story of the amazing “dragon” of history dedicated to material that was published in the September issue of magazine Yacht Russia.

© Elena Razina

The history of the Dragon class began in 1928, when the owner of a small shipyard and already famous designer Johan Anker decided to take part in the competition of the Gothenburg Royal yacht club. The contest was required to submit the draft budget of the “youth” of the boat that would be comfortable to walk in the skerries and the fjords

Text Anton Shibaeva and Arthur Grokhovsky, with assistance from Fiona brown

Keel yacht with Bermuda weapons, presented by the Norwegian designer, was surprisingly graceful. Long fore and aft overhangs made it elegant and at the same time rapid. In a small cabin had two berths, without special comfort, but still allowed to indulge in Autonomous navigation. This project has been so successful that it became the winner of the competition. The first boat was built in 1929 at the shipyard Anker & Jensen.

The total length of the “Dragon” for the project was $ 8.9 m, but on the waterline all of 5.65 m, width 1.95 m, draft 1.2 m, cast iron ballast keel weighed 1000 kg. Originally the boats were small cabins, but they are “cabin” turned into a simple cabin shelter. First boat had a sail area of 20 m2, and spinnakers were not allowed until 1938, but since then the total area of the mainsail and Genoa has increased to nearly 28 m2. The mast at that time were made of wood, had one a couple of long graspic. In 1945, the mast was changed, there was upper pair of graspic and rombo guys.

About how the boat got its name “Dragon”, I bet to this day. Of the many versions of the most trusted two. The first is that Johan Anker gave the boat this name in honor of the Viking ships, the famous drukarov that ancient navigators were decorated with carved images of dragon heads. The second version claims that all the fault of the case. When the project entered the headquarters of the International Union of sailing (IYRU), which, as the headquarters of the current International sailing Federation (ISAF), was in England, the name Anker English translated as anchor – “anchor”, and in reverse translation into Norwegian “anchor” someone was recorded as a draggen. And then those English “corrected” draggen, turning it into a dragon. Thus, the name of the boat, and then the whole class yachts.

The ascent to the top

It so happened that the clubs Clyde has searched for a suitable boat to replace the large and expensive classes. Despite the lack of interest on the part of the Association of racing yachts and objections of the “old guard” (say, “in good old England can’t be boats of foreign design and foreign production”), j. Howden Hume and George Paisley announced that they have already bought “Dragon” named “Anita”, which and showed at the shipyard of MacGregor in Klindera.

By 1933, the yacht Johan Anker became popular not only in Scandinavia but also in Europe. Including they appeared in UK waters, which is considered a trendsetter in all that concerns the sails. In that year Mr. ball, a member of the Royal Clyde YC, traveled to Scandinavia, where he saw the “Dragon” and was so impressed with them that he had received the drawings and brought them home.

The first six British Dragon was built the same Makhtaaral who took them for 220 ft. article the success of the class in Scotland was stunning and, by 1936, Clyde was already 14 “Dragons”. There was the first of a series of international races, and the conference of yacht clubs of the Clyde in 1937, established the Golden Cup “the Dragon” which to this day remains the most coveted international trophy. Then the Dragon was recognized as an international class.

“Dragon” won the hearts of the yachtsmen not only in appearance but also ease of management, fast. This was a born racer, therefore there is nothing surprising in the fact that in the end the boat got rid of the profession “skerry cruiser”. She was just doomed to participate in regattas, sharp wrestling and to become a monotype.

In 1946, V. M. Mackinlay, the Secretary of the conference of yacht clubs of the Clyde, visited Norway and learned from his son Johan Anker, Erik following. Before his death his father had insisted that in recognition of the fact that the British Navy did for Norway during the war, no British Builder “Dragons” do not have to pay design royalties.

Since 1947 shipyard for the construction of “Dragons” opened in France. In 1948, in a fair competition “Dragon” replaced the more costly 6-, 8 – and 12-Mitrovici with the Olympic waters, having received the status of Olympic class.

After 1948, “Dragon” has participated in six Olympic games, after which he was replaced by the Soling. Then many have decided that the popularity of the class instantly falls, and he gradually die. This did not happen, and now many yachtsmen believe that this class is generally better to be outside the focus of attention and fierce competition for those fighting for Olympic medals. Sailors-drakonita enough awards without them.

International Association “Dragons” (IDA) have always been vision and in 1957 was allowed to use synthetic sail cloth, and in 1971 the metal stringers. Meanwhile, Berg Borresen, winner of the Gold Cup 1967, in collaboration with Lloyds Register of shipping has developed a specification, which in 1972 was “legalized” and became the basis for the even more fateful decision – the construction of the “Dragons” made of fiberglass. The rules demanded that the boat was entirely built of plastic. However, it later became clear that many owners prefer the idea of easily maintained hull combined with attractive wooden deck and superstructure, and the rules have been amended accordingly. What has remained unchanged – the all-new “Dragons” to pass the test inclining test to prove that the construction was carried out in accordance with the specification. But what old wooden boats? Not all of them were scrapped in the scrap, many sailors continue to care and cherish, and sometimes win them the prestigious competition. Such is the power of beauty.

“Dragon” in the Soviet Union

The first “Dragons” appeared in the USSR in the early 1950-ies. The country was intended to enter the arena and defeat her. Of course, on the sail too. Therefore, attention to “Dragon” as one of the most popular classes of yachts, it was understandable.

Appearing in the Union, the boat caused real furor. Her perfect body, light trim by the stern, a little overwhelmed mast is delighted. Loved literally everything! A special appeal to sailors found even in the inscription of the Latin letter D on the grotto, which after the number of the ship was complemented by the letters SR (Soviet Russia).

Already in 1952, it established its own production of “Dragons” and after a few years the yachts of this class became the basis of the fleet of many yacht clubs. Over 20 years in the USSR were built more than 1000 “Dragons”, and they were all in demand. Even when the boat was finished “athletic” career, it’s not meant her sailing life ended. “Dragons” was altered to “cruiser”, and natural seaworthiness allows these yachts to successfully cope with their new role. And remember – Johan Anker conceived the “Dragon” it is like a skerry cruiser.

The class has evolved steadily and successfully until 1972, when “Dragon” was removed from the Olympic games. The construction of the “Dragons” in the USSR was immediately discontinued. Prospective riders move on “perspective”, that is the Olympic classes. Sports management has ceased to support the organization of racing the non-Olympic class. At the yacht club blazed the fires of the Dragons. Where the hand does not rise to burn this beauty, boats were left to rot in the rain and snow.

Fortunately, not all “Dragons” were to suffer the same sad fate. Sailors liked these yachts to so simply and fearlessly to part with them. And yet many thought that the class was doomed, that the revival is impossible. They were wrong.

The revival in Russia

By the beginning of 2000-ies of the boat, ready to go out on the water were one. To prevent the death of the “Dragon” as a class came from enthusiasts Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Sergei Ivanov (Director of the Moscow yacht-club “Neptune”) and Sergey Bogdanov (photographer and designer) to assemble the fleet and continue to chase the “Dragons” was organized by the Moscow “Dragon club”. Twenty-first of may 2003, held its first meeting. The year before, began the project to restore miraculously surviving old buildings, and renovated in the summer of the first “Dragon” can be seen on championship of Moscow on Pestovskoe reservoir. In 2003, was completed on the second case, and, characteristically, yachts are not just repaired, they are returned to their original look, the former beauty of lacquered wood.

At the start of the first championship of Russia in a class “the Dragon”, held in 2003, there were five yachts. Then everything was on the rise. After five years, the fleet of “Dragons” consisted of more than fifty yachts, the Championships became an annual event, the Association was established. This was made possible thanks to the sailors of the yacht club “Pirogovo” Alexander Ikovo, Arnold Sternberg, Anatoly Karachinsky enthusiasts also obsessed with the dream to revive the Dragon class in Russia.

Muscovites supported the St. Petersburg yachtsmen. In 2006, Igor Frolov, Sergey Jazykovym and Vladimir Loginov was created by the West shipyard Project. For the construction of boats from a British shipyard Petticrows was acquired by the matrix Dragon. By 2013 the shipyard was built seven yachts that now make up the backbone of the modern Navy the “Dragons” of St. Petersburg.

Today overseas sailors from Germany, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Ukraine and even Hong Kong come to Russia to our water to converge in a fight with the Russians. In turn, the Russian draconity participate in all the major international regattas, as formidable rivals in foreign yachtsmen and consistent favorites of the competition.

In any areas are increasingly sailing close to the traditional letter D you can see the letters RU. And it’s not revival, that’s life.

“Dragon” today

Since 1990, the world’s Dragons ‘ undisputed leader was the shipyard Petticrows under the direction of Paul-Ricarda hoy Jensen. Since the founding of the shipyards in 1988, it was released almost 800 boats, and recently the number of yachts built by Petticrows shipyard exceeded Børresen.

It should be noted that in 1990-x years the yacht has undergone a number of changes (in particular, have changed the wiring gear), carried out under the close supervision of the Technical Committee of the IDA. It was a difficult time when EU regulations required buoyancy improvements for all pleasure craft.

Along with the development of new boats guide IDA has actively implemented a strategy to support national associations in marketing and promoting new countries to increase the fleet of Dragon class. This carefully selected venues for regattas, was also improved control of the race with the introduction of the regulations of the championship, which was the starting point for the development of many other classes. And the result is obvious: on the major Championships going more than 75 boats.

In the new Millennium the most striking event was the 75th anniversary of the class. In 2004, on the French Riviera gathered 275 “Dragons”. All the big names of the sailing world consider it an honor to arrive in Saint-Tropez. All sailors, celebrated their participation in the race, the anniversary of the “Dragon”, still talking about this event, and best of all it says on the start line with a length of over 2.5 km!

Today Petticrows (now shipyard in the ownership of Tim Tavinor, one of the most successful builders of boats of the Olympic class) has attracted designers of America’s Cup to improve the shape of the hull. What is the evidence? The constant effort to improve the boat that is balanced by the mandate of the IDA to control development, which ultimately does not lead to an immediate obsolescence of the previous models.

This is the key to the success of the “Dragon” today: although he was 90 years old, he is still developing.

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Dragon Class

History of the dragon, the first dragon.

In 1928, a design competition was launched by the Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club in Sweden for an affordable cruising keelboat that was “relatively fast, externally attractive and seaworthy.” Johan Anker (1871-1940), already an eminent yacht designer and winner of an Olympic Gold Medal in the 6-meter class, won the competition with his one-design entry based on the 20 square-meter rule. The name of the design was, of course , the Dragon and the first was built in 1929. The dimensions were, and remain, LOA 8.9m, LWL 5.7m, beam 2.0m and draught 1.2m with a total overall weight of 1,700 kg. The Dragon quickly became popular in many nearby countries. International competition began with the donation of the Dragon Gold Cup by the Clyde Yacht Club Conference in 1937.

Olympic Era

After many yacht classes disappeared during World War II, Peter Lunde, one of Norway’s top Dragon sailors, traveled to London in 1946 with the goal of promoting new international regatta classes. He brought with him the Anker family’s permission to use their drawings internationally, as long as they were approved by the International Yacht Racing Union (now known as World Sailing). The Dragon was awarded Olympic status that year. It remained the Olympic one-design three-person keelboat class from 1948 to 1972, during which time it was upgraded for racing with the addition of a genoa and spinnaker, as well as supporting rigging changes. In 1961, the International Dragon Association (IDA) was formed to manage the evolution and consistency of the boat. This era saw the greatest expansion of the Dragon class worldwide, with individual Dragons or Dragon fleets on almost every continent.

Olympic Aftermath

After being dropped from the Olympics in 1972, there was much debate about the future of the Dragon class. Until that point, Dragons were built with carvel-planked wood, but fiberglass was the latest technology. The IDA, in collaboration with Børresen in Denmark, developed plans for a fiberglass Dragon that would maintain the competitiveness of the wooden Dragons. The class owes a great deal to Børresen, who managed the transition from wood to fiberglass construction expertly, ensuring that both types of boats could compete on equal terms. Despite this important development, the Dragon class declined and was significantly reduced in numbers in many countries. However, it continued to attract top sailors looking for strong competition in a non-Olympic class. In the mid-1980s, the class began to grow again with the emergence of a second major builder, Petticrows . By the mid-1990s, the average number of boats built each year was 25-30, and major competitions regularly had 80-100 boats.

Modern Days

Today, the Dragon class is active in 30 countries on five continents, with over 1,400 registered boats and many more used for day sailing or cruising. The World Championships are held in odd-numbered years, and the European Championships are held annually. The Gold Cup, held annually in certain specified European countries, is unique in that all six races count without discard.

The crew of three or four makes for a tightly knit unit without the need for hired heavyweights. Class rules ensure level racing, and the ease of trailing makes international competition accessible to all budgets. Spars and sails are easily adjustable while racing, allowing a skilled crew to optimize the boat for any conditions. Dragon races cannot be won by brute strength. The Dragon’s design philosophy has made it a class where extremely close racing is the norm, and where races are won by the crew’s mastery of the conditions and tactics on the course.

Plenty of information regarding the class, its various regattas and championships is available via the International Dragon Class Association website .

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Dragon boat

A new influence from the east.

From its roots in the Far East, Dragon Boat Racing is fast becoming a global discipline for both competition and social interaction. These long, open canoes are paddled by 20 paddlers, or a smaller version with ten paddlers, using single-bladed paddles. Often the craft will be elaborately decorated, and include a drummer and a coxwain / helmsman.

DOCUMENTS can be found here.

ECA Competitions

After four days of racing the 2019 ECA Dragon Boat Nations and Clubs European Championships and European Cup in Moscow has come to an end. Teams and clubs competed in 500 metres 20-seater events and in 10- and 20-seater 2000 metres finals. Russian national team picked up eleven gold medals more on Sunday.

Russian, Romanian and German national teams reached the top podium positions during the third competition day of the 2019 ECA Dragon Boat Nations and Clubs European Championships and European Cup in Moscow, Russia.

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DRAGON LEPRECHAUN

IRL 40 (originally K412)

A rare opportunity to acquire a 1964 Pedersen & Thuesen in immaculate condition

Original Owners:  Renowned Sailmaker Bruce Banks, Col. Somers and two others based in Cowes [RYS]

Good Racing record – 3 rd Edinburgh Cup 1966

Bought by Dan O’Connor and Lt. Col. Cyril J. Midmer in 1969, imported into Ireland (all taxes paid) and sailed out of Royal Irish Yacht Club, Dun Leary, Dublin Bay.

Owned by current owner since 1969.

Significant racing successes:

3 rd Irish Championships, 15 th out of Fleet of 77 Gold Cup 1990. 

Regates Royale 2000 19 th out of Fleet of 110 (1 st Wooden)

75 th Anniversary Regatta, St Tropez 2003, 6 th out of 48 wooden boats, 50 th out of 267 in whole fleet race and 1 st wooden boat in that race by a country mile!

Lovingly, meticulously and professionally maintained since 1969 on a proactive and cherished basis – Paddy Murphy Head Boatman RIYC, generally regarded as the best varnisher in Ireland. No restoration was ever necessary but updated to Petticrows standard many years ago.

Stored in shed since 2004 apart from racing in Gold Cup in Kinsale 2012,

shake down sail – sea trials 2018 preparation for 90 th Anniversary in San Remo

Now For Sale immediately after 1 st Wooden Dragon Worlds 24 – 27 August in San Remo.

Dan O’Connor Jnr: [email protected]

+353 87 2418090

Danish Blue, 2018 V6; built for me at Petticrows with extra mould time.  Very little used, in better than new condition including: Latest Petticrow Mast and boom new 2022. Full specification; adjustable diamond, crew seats, covers, Harbeck aluminium trailer with three boxes, suit of 2023 sails, all singing and dancing.  Delivery in mainland Europe can be arranged. Price €85,000.   Email: [email protected] or WhatsApp +447753650803.

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DEN 413 “Lady in Red” , build 2007 is for sale 2nd generation Vejle Yacht Service in good condition and ready for regatta sailing.With Harbeck Alu trailer. Always indoor stored during winter and when not in sailing. Location: South France   • Hull: white without waterline. • No Antifouling. • Teak floor in cockpit • Hull no.: 0021 • Build: 2007 • Plaquette: #1286 Inclusive: HARBECK BT AluTrailer with 2 large boxes and 1 smaller box in the front. New shock absorbers and wheels. Sails: • 1x North Main • 3x North Genoa, Heavy, light and medium  • 3x spinnaker  Equipment: New John mast from 2022 • sailmon max compas • Electric pump with battery and charger • Mastcover • Fullcover for transportation • Crane for stepping the mast Price:: Eur. 20.000 / DKK 150.000 (Tax Paid) Contact: Felix Jacobsen +45 61 69 29 20 [email protected]

Price reduced on 1/5/23

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• White hull / Double water line green / Teak duckboard floors
• Complete fittings Harken
• Petticrows mast (2015) with adjustable diamonds, backstay and runners rope with quick attachment systems.
• Petticrows boom and spi pole (2021)
• Complete set of North sails for racing (Main 2018, 2 genoas 2018 et 2019, spi 2018).
• Complete set of North sails for training (Main 2014, 2 genoas 2016 and 2013, spi 2013).
• Harbeck road trailer 2500 AL ( 2009), 3 boxes
• All transport covers and full deck 3 piece cover
• Equipment : Tacktick compass, Tension gauge, manual and electric pumps with 2 batteries, 4 mast supports, 2 round side fenders, 1 mast hoisting tripod, 2 paddles, 2 buckets, 1 anchor, 3 life jackets.

Boat and trailer in excellent condition due to having been used for only five or six events each year and otherwise have been storage in closed shed.

Available to view at : Arcachon

Prix : 22 000 €  REDUCED TO €20,000

Contact  : Bertrand MOUSSIE  [email protected]     TEL : 0635579051

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What is dragon boat.

Dragon Boat is a race over a clearly defined unobstructed course in the shortest possible time. There are two classes that compete in this discipline, 10-seater and 20-seater referring to the number of paddlers in the boat. Paddlers sit in twos side-by-side and use a single-bladed paddle. Both classes will also have a drummer and a steerer, with everybody in the boat paddling to the rhythm of the drum.

Dragon Boat has ancient Chinese origins and dates back more than 2,000 years. The first participants were Chinese villagers who held races on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese calendar in the belief it would show worship to the dragon, a traditional symbol of water in Asia, and so encourage the rains needed for prosperity and to avert misfortune. Dragon Boat took on further prominence following the death of great poet Qu Yuan in 278 BC. He committed suicide in the Miluo River in a protest against corruption. Local people went in their fishing boats to try and save him, and beat drums and splashed oars in the water to keep fish away from his body. His death is marked by a Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival) each year.

Dragon boats are designed to resemble the classic dragon that had the head of an ox, antler of a deer, mane of a horse, body of a python, claws of a hawk, and fins and tail of a fish, so the bow is crafted as the head of a dragon with the stern the tail, the hull painted with scales and the paddles symbolically representing the claws. Modern Dragon Boat is generally recognised as having its origins in the Hong Kong International Races, first held in 1976.

The official race distances recognised by the International Canoe Federation (ICF) are 200 or 250, 500 and 2000 metres. The 2000 is conducted as a pursuit race with two laps of the 500-metre course completed incorporating three turns. Events are held for men’s team, women’s team and mixed team. The mixed team must include a minimum of eight women (four in the 10-seater class).

The 2018 edition of the World Championships was held Lake Lanier, Gainesville, United States of America. There were 90 races altogether including heats and finals in junior, senior and masters categories. Germany topped the medal table with 16 golds, ahead of the host nation USA on eight golds. The Philippines picked up five gold medals. A total of 13 countries took part. The 2020 World Championships was scheduled for Bilawali Lake in Indore, India but was cancelled becuase of the coronavirus pandemic. The World Championships returned in 2022 with Racice, Czechia playing host.

The ICF also hosts a World Championships for club crews in alternate years to the World Championships.

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