Dolphin

Based on the American National One Design this boat became popular in Plymouth. It has a hard chine and a high aspect rig with a large genoa.

Both the Gull and the Dolphin boats were derived from the National One Design of America and can be considered to be a developments of it. The Plymouth Dolphin’s however were built from a set of plans found in a house shortly after the Second World War. The builders of the boats had no idea as to their design origin until they were spotted by an American NOD Sailor(in 1964), on holiday in Plymouth. Plymouth Dolphin sailors have sailed in the North American Championships and they receive each year an invite to take part in them. Boat, beer and crew all to be laid on for free. The Dolphin is recognised by the parent Assoc. as being a NOD although one stuck in the 1950’s. The Plymouth Dolphin is a delight to sail as they are a beautifully balanced boat and is also capable of out tacking a Firefly. They are very quick in light airs, maybe the bastardisation of the original design resulted in a poor boat in the Oulton Gull?.
Due to the shortage of suitable buliding materials the Dolphins were built from what could be obtained from the HM Dockyard. Several were built out of Cedar which was to be used as coffins. Number 1 Cambrian (was owned by me), suffered fatal main frame destruction in a CVRDA event. She was built out of larch packing cases used to ship engines for USAF Lighting fighters and screwed together which steel screws hence auto destruction. The boat in the photographs refered to is built from mahogany brine barrels, used to store salted pork. She is really the last of the class that is active due to her massive construction.