Swallow (keelboat)

The Swallow (also known as the National Swallow) is a type of one-design keelboat that was used as a two-man Olympic class for the 1948 Olympics. It is now sailed with three crew. The main fleet is at Itchenor in Chichester Harbour, West Sussex, with a smaller fleet at Aldeburgh, Suffolk.There are around 40 active boats.As a National Class, the rules and affairs of the Class are regulated by the Royal Yachting Association. Many of these boats are named after birds and, in particular, sea birds.

Major changes to the National Swallow Class Rules in the 1970s enabled the move to grp construction, the addition of self-bailers (4) and, in 2010, the modernisation of the fore and aft rig, with a higher aspect ratio mainsail and lower footed jib. The latest rule change for 2014 is to allow electric bilge pumps.

It was designed by Tom Thornycroft as a potential replacement for the Star class still in use. The design was entered in a 1946 competition sponsored by Yachting magazine, but never became significantly popular outside the United Kingdom.

The design has a  ³⁄₄ keel with an attached raked rudder. It has dinghy-like characteristics and is capable of planing in strong breezes. It was designed both "to go fast and look beautiful". Many Swallow sailors have moved to the Class from dinghy classes, including the International 14.

Sail numbers have now reached 94 and the current builder is Composite Craft of the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England www.compositecraft.co.uk . As at January 2014, the Class Secretary is Nigel Glennie and the National Class Chairman and Captain is Paul Ward. The National Championships 2014 were held on 19 and 20 July 2014 under the flag of The Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes. The winnere were Carolyn Brigg and David and Hugo Sloper in S82 'Marengo'.This will be followed by Cowes Classics Week and Cowes Week. Further details are on the Itchenor Sailing Club website www.itchenorsc.co.uk at the Swallow Class page.