Minnow Fleet

What is a Minnow?

It’s an 8 foot long dinghy, with a minimum hull weight of 20kg, and a single sail – sailed by one person. The class has a series of measurement rules to ensure it is a ‘one-design’ class. The hull features 3 separate buoyancy tanks giving the twin advantage of a cockpit that doesn’t completely fill with water after a capsize, and providing a nice comfy side for sitting on. The class rules also prevent the use of exotic (read expensive) materials like carbon fibre hulls, kevlar sails, and tapered masts. And let’s not forget out favourite feature – the distinctive blue sail shared by every one of the 1150 Minnows built so far. All hail the blue sail !! (or Sailing, not Bailing as a former bumper-sticker boasted!)

What age group are Minnows suitable for?

Most kids are ready to start sailing by themselves in training once they turn 8. That should see the start of a period that can easily extend to the age of 13 or so – by which time they’ll just be getting too big to fit in the boat. (Actually – some kids stay in the class up to the age of 16 or so if they haven’t gone through an early growth squirt).

Isn’t 8 a bit young to be going out in a boat single-handed?

We’ve had a whole generation of kids at BYS who have started their sailing careers in Minnows at this age – they’ll be fine. Sailing is a fabulous character builder – it teaches independence, quick thinking and decision making, and gets them outdoors away from the TV and computer. And all the while, they are being watched by our patrol boats and the control tower (and they have buoyancy vests on, and most wear a wetsuit!)

What training is available at Blairgowrie?

Blairgowrie offers a large sail training program for our juniors. It is broken down into 5 different groups reflecting the different levels of experience. The minimum age is 8 (as at November each year) Training happens on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings in January, and on Sunday mornings in November, December and February.. During this time, those beginning will learn to rig their boats, to sail them in the sheltered waters between the shore and the moored boats, and to right their boats after a capsize. By the end of their summer, one of the special occasions is their first sail down to Rye. Parents are strongly encouraged be part of the training program.

Beyond the beginner group, the kids are taught more advanced levels of boat control, and to sail in stronger wind conditions. They will also enjoy their first introduction to racing. For all groups, the sail training is conducted by experienced and qualified members of the club, and the boats are overseen by plenty of club rescue boats.

When do they start racing?

We find that some of our juniors are ready to enter our club races after just a year in the sail training – and there are very few who won’t be confident to try their first race after 2 years.

For many, the first race will seem a bit scary. Don’t worry! Ask one of the other Minnow parents or sailors to explain the courses, flags and starting/finishing procedures if you’d like a helping hand. Pick a day when it’s not forecast to blow too hard, and perhaps set a goal of at least getting through the start-line and up the first leg.