We define these dinghies as those designed and built before 1965 which are not already covered by the Vintage classification.

These dinghies are from the hey-day of dinghy racing between the 2nd world war and 1965. They are typically made from plywood or moulded wood veneer construction and use glue to hold them all together.

Best examples would include any Fairey Marine built dinghy, all the Merlin Rockets beyond about No 500 and glued Nat 12s and all the Ply hard chine designs of Proctor and Holt and many other designers of the early 60s.

Fairey Marine spent the 50s and 60s making the highest quality mass-produced wooden hulls ever and here are two fine examples; a 1965 Jollyboat - J332 and a 1963 Firefly F2942.

On the right is a Fairey Finn made in 1963 sailing with an original Bruder wooden mast......great boat!

(left) Pegasus 48 Citrine, another classic beauty from the 60s and still sailing well to its current modern handicap.

Citrine was the winner of the Classic wing at Roadford 2000.

(right) The Graduate was designed by Dick Wyche in 1952.....a stalwart classic dinghy.

This red Merlin Rocket is a Proctor Designed MkIXD built a little after 1965, but still at heart a classic dinghy.

More classic photos