International 'H' Boats
So far...
The INTERNATIONAL H BOAT was designed by Hans Groop in 1967. Basically it is a follow on from the very successful Folk Boat. Whilst it immediately became popular in Scandinavia and Germany, it never quite caught on in U.K. About 40 have been imported, many of the older boats came in as bare hulls and were fitted out by their owners. No wonder all boats have different deck layouts! Most of the early boats were to be found on the South coast and Isle of Wight.
In the Seventies, John White of Sea Span imported two H-boats , as he thought they would suit ageing Dragon sailors looking for exciting sailing with a bit of comfort thrown in. Unfortunately dragon sailors continued to age and did not think much of H-boats at that time.
However we now have eleven boats on the Forth, several on the Clyde, and six at Tighnabruich on the Kyles of Bute. The U.K. class association began to break up in the early 1990`s, mainly, I think, because there was a difference of opinion as to the purpose and use of the boats. The die-hards wanted to continue as before with level one design racing, but others were more interested in cruiser racing over greater distances, hence the proliferation of stanchions, guard rails, pulpits, radios, etc. For whatever reason, the U.K. class association is moribund, and it is our hope and expectation to have it up and running again soon. One of the advantages of having a U.K. assoc. is that we are entitled to an entry in the European and World Championships! Going for Gold!
INTERNATIONAL ‘H’ BOAT REGISTER
If you own, or know the owner of, an International H-boat help us form a U.K. database of boats. Please send us the following details:-
- Name of boat
- Sail number
- Owners name and address
- Telephone and E-mail address
Together with any comments (including rude ones) and tales of success and woe, to mark.kisby@blueyonder.co.uk or robin.brownlie@bosinternet.com - Alternatively you may contact us through the RFYC and all club details can be found on the contact page of this site.
Email group
There is now an H-boat email group to join this group click on the link below or send an email to the address shown, follow the instruction given and you will then start to receive emails from this group.
h-boats-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Specification
- length overall: 8,28 m
- length waterline: 6,30 m
- beam: 2,18 m
- draft: 1,30 m
- displacement: 1450 kg.
- wetted surface: 12.7 m²
- ballast ratio: 50 %
- mainsail: 14,8 m²
- jib: 10,2 m²
- spinnaker: 36,0 m²
'Hocus Pocus' - One of the H-boats now based at RFYC