As long ago as 1973, a number of members of Poole Yacht Club felt that I.O.R. Cruiser Racing was too expensive to remain competitive for more than a season and the problem of finding good crew was a permanent head-ache. Dinghy racing was good fun of course, but could be wet, cold and was restricted to sheltered waters.
As far as family racing was concerned, the deep draught of most racing cruisers limited the areas where they could be sailed. Further, the time most helmsmen can afford to spend away from their business means only a few Ports and Harbours can be visited. Finally, the strength necessary to wind genoa sheets, when tacking finds the average wife a little daunted.
Dinghies too, have disadvatages. Usually they are a little frightening to a wife when she steps aboard. There is no shelter if it rains, one gets cold, there is no toilet and everything such as spare clothing gets wet and rolls around in the bilges.
Although these are dangerous generalities, we decided that we would like a boat small enough to be cheap to build and maintain, be capable of off-shore cruiser racing, have two berths, so that a crew of two could rest on passage or in Port, and have a toilet and gimballed cooker.
We wanted a very strict O.D., so that a deep cheque book would not buy racing success, a lifting keel for shallow water moorings and shallow water racing courses, and the ability with the family on board to potter about all those interesting places that a keel boat can only watch. We wanted an electrifying performance and the ability to plane off the wind. Finally, we wanted a boat that could be raced by a man and his wife.
Richard Roscoe was asked to design such a boat and the R. 19 is the result.
The R.19 is 19ft 1" oa., the Beam is 8ft. oa,, and 6ft at the waterline. She has a 3/4 rig, with a tapered mast and adjustable backstay. The jib is only 60 sq. ft. so that the crew does not need massive muscles to pull it in. The mainsail is 120 sq, ft. with three slab reefing points. It is cut fairly flat, but is loose footed so the draught can be varied with the adjustable outhaul for power when reaching. The sails are made by Tabb Sails or Quay Sails.
A main sheet traveller crosses the SD Cockpit and a kicking strap is provided. Main and jib halyards are of wire, with rope tails and with the Spinnaker Halyard are internal. All halyards, spinnaker boom topping lift and - down haul are led off aft to the cockpit and are colour coded.
The Keel is cast iron, or acrofoil section, weighs 500lb., giving a ballast ratio of 40% and can be raised into a keel box, When fully retracted, a small amount of keel remains below the hull to provide some grip on the water, when for example, picking up a shallow mooring or reaching in shallow water It can be locked up or downas required. The rudder is also of acrofoil sections, made of fibreglass and is of the lifting type.
The Hull is of 3/5° balsa core sandwich construction, to provide an extremely stiff hull. The bottom of the hull is very flat, and will plane easily. The foredeck below the level of the topsides to allow the use of a deck mounted spinnaker chute. Adequate draining exists to avoid the weight of water forward. The spinnaker itself is 200 sq. ft. Radial Head and there is built in buoyancy.
The pulpit stanchions etc, are all of stainless steel and all the deck fittings are of high quality including two winches.
Below, we have resisted all temptation to make this a cruising boat. We supply two root canvas quarter berths, gimballed single ring gas bottle and a Yachtex sea toilet.
Headroom is naturally restricted but adequate for sitting ete. The hatch is large and removable.
We originally started the fleet at Poole in the early summer of 1979 with ten boats with the class being officially adopted by the Club. Since then there has been a steady increase in the numbers. Currently we have twenty boats so close one design racing is enjoyed by all owners. There may be a further three boats on the water by the end of the year. Currently all the R.19 s so far built are at Poole Y.C.
Racing is now undertaken for about 9 months of the year - early March through to New Years Day's. usually as a Class but on occasions over the years we have done some Handicap Racing both in the Harbour with P.Y.R.A. and on the West Solent in the Lymington Warm Up Series.
The R.19 is also an ideal boat for Match Racing and over the years the Lionheart Trophy, an annual event for local helms, Club Champion and invited Match Racing specialists has grown in popularity.
If further information about this popular small yacht is required please have a word with either Fleet Captain Len Holland or Class Association Secretary Roy Owers.
Incidently a new boat will cost around £6,400 including VAT
