Javelin Association of Great Britain
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      • Twin Pole System
  • HOME
  • About
    • History
  • Builders
    • JJ Boats 13-20
    • Jeff Green 03-13
    • B Bootsbau 01-05
    • Porter Bros. 00-03
    • Tony Lincoln 90-00
    • Fröschke 90-92
    • Paul Wright 72- 89
  • For Sale
  • Class Rules
  • Constitution
  • EVENTS
    • 2023 Season >
      • Glossop 22-23 April
      • Nationals 27-28 May
      • Euros 24-28 July
    • Past Seasons >
      • 2022 Season >
        • Tiger 5/6 Feb
        • AGM 20th Feb
        • Dinghy Show 26 Feb
        • Kielder 1 & 2 May
        • Filey 20/21 May
        • Lymington 9 & 10 July
        • Euros 23-28 July
        • Rutland Nats. 15/16 Oct
      • 2021 Season >
        • Lymington Regatta 3/4 July
        • Nats. 24-26 July 2021
        • Filey 31 - 1 Aug
        • Carsington 16/17 Oct
      • 2020 Season >
        • Dinghy Show 2020
        • Bala Massacre 15th March
        • Kielder 9/10 May
        • Lymington Regatta 11//12 July
        • Filey 20/21 June
        • Euros 26-31 July 2020
        • Nationals Glossop 3/4 Oct 2020
      • 2019 Season >
        • Dinghy Show 2019
        • Kielder 5/6 May
        • Filey 29/30 June
        • Lymington 13/14 July
        • Euros 26-31 July
        • Nat's. 24-25 August
        • Carsington 14/15 Sept
        • Rutland 19-20 Oct
      • 2018 Season >
        • March - DinghyShow
        • April - Glossop
        • May - Inlands
        • June - Nationals
        • July - European
        • October - Rutland SC
      • 2017 Season >
        • 28 & 29 October Rutland
        • 30 Sept - Buckenham Triple B
        • 6 August - Anglesey Offshore race
        • 23-28 July Euros
        • 24th & 25th June - Bala Long distance race
        • 17-18 June 17 Southwold
        • 27 & 28 May - Carsington Open
        • 20-21 May 17 - Lymington to Cowes cruise
        • 30 April Keilder Dam to Dam
        • 22 & 23 April - Glossop Open
      • 2016 Season >
        • Bala Open 8/9 October
        • Euros Holland
        • Inlands Carsington
        • Nationals Southwold
      • 2015 Season >
        • Bala Long Distance
        • Bala Open
      • 2014 Season >
        • Nat's. Southwold
        • Euros Zwischenahner Meer
      • 2013 Season >
        • Nat's 8/9 June 13
        • 2013 Euros Tjeukemeer, Holland
      • 2011 Season >
        • Carsington Open
        • Nationals Southwold
      • 2010 Season
      • 2009 Season >
        • 2008 Season >
          • 2007 Season >
            • 2005 Season >
              • Bridlington Nationals
              • Carsington Open
              • Glossop Open
            • Euros Hourtin
            • Southwold Open
          • Euros Travemunde
          • National Championships
        • Alton Water Open
        • Glossop Nationals
        • Southwold Euros
      • 2006 Season
      • 2005 Season
      • 2004 Season
      • 2003 Season
  • Facebook Group
  • Gallery
    • Event Photos
    • Event Videos
    • Javelins
  • International
    • Minutes
    • BOAT REGISTER
    • Germany
    • Netherlands
    • United Kingdom
  • Membership
    • Articles >
      • 30 years Javelin
      • Boat Launch
      • Bought an old Javelin? >
        • How to refurbish an old Javelin?
      • Build Years
      • Editorials >
        • 1969 boat test
        • 1968 Yachts & Yachting
      • How to go fast
      • Humour
      • Javelin wives
      • Old Javelins
      • Original Adverts >
        • Paul Wright - 1970's
        • Paul Wright - 1980's
      • Pull on your wires
    • Clubs & Venues
    • Committee >
      • Past Committees
      • Honorary
    • Join/Renewal
    • Stolen
    • TROPHIES
    • Yearbooks
  • NEW JAVELIN
  • Parts
    • Masts >
      • Seldon
      • Super Spars
    • Insurance >
      • Craft Insure
      • Mercia Marine Insurance
      • Noble Marine Insurance
    • Sails >
      • Hyde Sails
      • North Sails
      • Pinnel & Bax
      • Speed Sails
      • Ullman Sails
  • Technical
    • Ropes & sheets
    • Mast control
    • Sail Measurement
    • Spinnaker >
      • Spin. guy cleat bracket
      • Twin Pole System
Javelin Association of Great Britain
The three wise men in the dinghy racing world are Ian Proctor, Jack Holt and Peter Milne. Between them, they have virtually captured the market and I have already sampled wares offered in Proctor’s Typhoon and Holt’s Jacksnipe. It is fitting therefore that the third vessel to be tried was Milne’s Javelin. The designer is of course justly famous for his fireball inspiration, can he pull off a double with the latest Javelin? Philip Smith of Southern Service Boat Centre believes that the answer is yes and is distributing the boat in the Southern Area for £325 plus sails.
Picture
Picture
The opportunity to test the boat came on a blustery Sunday. The day that the rains came down, might be an appropriate tune. 

The Weirwood Reservoir was alive with white caps as the sleek 17ft 7inch racing craft was lifted into the water by an all too willing band of helpers. Eddie Mays a veteran crew of two previous tests, cheerfully pushed off and we settled down for a force five thrash to windward. What a relief to be sailing a single-bottomed boat with plenty of room to bounce about in and a far greater sense of security.


A few quick tacks and it became clear that the Javelin is an easy performance boat to handle, the main sheet controls are in the correct position and the rig is well balanced. Lively tacking came naturally and the first impression was of 505 and Dutchman performance but without the remoteness associated with these craft.
 The next thought was the anxious one of how the boat would handle downwind. We could carry on “up the Kyber” forever; the moment of truth spelt out in planery language was near. Up with the plate, out with the jib and main and a cloud of spray chorused to the extra speed. Nothing to it, a real joy.
Eddie grinned as always and the camera crews of the two rescue boats clicked happily. Perhaps the bird would fly fast enough on a dead run to take the bite out of the wind and enable the spinnaker to be set. Eddie shook his head, the photographers nodded theirs. I dithered for a while and tried a few dead runs. It all felt great so we finally set the third sail and roared down the reservoir. Nearing the clubhouse we discreetly began to lower the spinnaker. Half way down in the best traditions of the Gerald Hoffnung saga the spinnaker halyard jammed. What a way to go I thought, right through the reservoir wall on a full plane with the gay cry “no brakes on this thing.” Fortunately a violent tug brought the spinnaker clew just within range, and it was quickly uncleated. Saved by Eddie.

Back on shore, the boat was looked at in more detail. Built-in buoyancy in the side tanks and that glorious freedom of movement with the single-bottomed floor were obvious merits for long-legged crews. Reasonable spinnaker stowage and a very well thought out arrangement for fairleads and cleats. Twin stainless steel tracks house both the nylon fairleads and jib jambers and this simple scheme gives easy adjustment for any possible requirement.

A 1 inch diameter spinnaker pole is fitted as standard but although this was satisfactory on a dead run, a larger one would be necessary for heavy weather reaching.


The rudder blade seems to be on the small size but gave perfect control on the reservoir. It could be that in a heavy sea increased depth with more area low down would be advisable. 

​With a Portsmouth Yardstick hovering around 80, the Javelin is definitely in the sports class and the at present price (slightly under £400) for the complete craft with sails represents exceptionally good value.
Picture
Picture
Unfortunately all of the "Three wise men" are no longer with us. 
  • Ian Proctor (1918-1992) designed such classics as the Tempest, Topper, Wayfarer and the Osprey.
  • Jack Holt (1912-1995) was responsible, amongst many others, for the Enterprise, GP14, Solo and Hornet.
  • Peter Milne (1934-2010) the father of the Javelin and one of Britains best known designers and sailing journalists.
He was actually the editor of Yachts & Yacting at the time of this test, which was handy !

  • Sail area increas since 1969
  • Mainsail 97 > 112 sqft +14%
  • Genoa 53 > 60 sqft +12%
  • Spinnaker 140 > 204 sqft +31%

Javelin No8 was the third fully grp boat built. The referance to single bottomed boat is due to the fasion at the time to have a raised floor or double bottom. Sheeting positions for the Genoa were outboard back in 69 and the shrouds were 6" inboard.

The spinnaker chute as we know it had not been invented so the shute box in front of the mast was an innovation at the time and a step towards the chute which arrived about four years later. They were right about the spinny pole - 1" alloy is a bit light weight! The rudder blade also has been increased to the point where it is no longer controlled in the rules.
Cost comparison
New boat ex sails =£325 in 1969
Inflation price would be £3,900 today.


Sails were £75 for a set in 1969
Inflation price would be £900 today.
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