The International 505
This powerful single-trapeze double-handed dinghy is an all-out, hang-out, screaming machine. Its extreme adjustability puts a premium on good systems. Hull shape and sailplan are regulated, but the foils, spar, and rigging setups are open so deck layouts suit individual sailors. Construction materials are unrestricted.
International 505 Deck Layout
The International 14
This demanding double-handed, twin-trapeze skiff, is not for the faint-hearted. A development class, technique is the key to sailing this nimble boat well. The I-14 is tippy (especially downwind) and it takes work to learn to tack quickly. But once the basics are mastered, it is a thrill to sail. The I-14 features a T-foil rudder to reduce downwind instability and the carbon rig supports a square-top main for power in light conditions.
International 14 Deck Layout
International 18 Ft Class
In a first, Howard Hamlin and crew Mike Martin and Paul Allen beat windsurfers, kite boarders, and Seve Jarvin's Gotta Love It 7 to win the notoriously windy "anything goes" 2008 "Bridge to Bridge" Race in San Francisco Bay. The 5 1/2 nautical mile, downwind dash began under the famous Golden Gate, finishing 13 minutes later at the Bay Bridge. With 20-knot winds and a strong ebb tide this race was not for the fainthearted. But the biggest problem was getting the race committe boats to the Bay Bridge in time to score the competitors.
Howard Hamlin
Howard Hamlin is a third-generation Californian with shorts, flip-flops, and sunglasses as his normal laid-back attire. But don’t be fooled. With world titles in the 505, 18' Skiff, and I-14 classes, he’s anything but laid back on the water. His secret? Meticulous boat preparation, talented crew, and honing muscle memory until every move on the boat is automatic. Growing up, Howard's passion was surfing and he still surfs most mornings. But in the '70s, Howard’s life changed when a friend took him for a wet and wild ride in a 505. He was hooked. It took 20 years of sailing and an intense training program for the last three, before he and crew Mike Martin won the big one—the 1999 505 World Championships in Quiberon, France. Since then, Howard has never looked back and today is recognized as one of the world's top high-performance skippers.
You are a top 505, International 14, and 18' skiff sailor. These boats all require different rig setups and sailing techniques. How do you keep them straight?
I keep all the rig and set-up numbers in my Blackberry. We constantly work on sailing techniques so they are automatic.
Describe how rigging/boat handling differs between a 505 and an 18' skiff.
The rigging on the 505 is very, very complex. Everything on the rig (shrouds, forestay, mast ram, etc.) must adjust easily while sailing. The rigging on the 18' is actually quite simple, with the shrouds and forestay fixed. Given the challenge of sailing the 18', the simplicity is a good thing. Boat handling on both must be precisely choreographed. Obviously, the 18' demands near perfect boat handling. Who goes first? How far behind is the next guy during a tack or jibe? For example on the 18', there are 14 feet between unhooking from the wire, crossing the boat, and re-hooking. Crew work must be practiced until the moves are down cold and imprinted in your brain—muscle memory.
What kind of techniques do you use to hone your skills?
When Mike Martin and I raced 505s, we experimented by sailing with our eyes shut. First, I'd steer with my eyes closed and ask Mike if I was doing anything wrong, then he'd ask me if he was off on anything. We could finally sail together in 12 knots, tacking and jibing from wire-to-wire with our eyes closed.
Another key to improving boat handling is to simplify each move. Whenever I take a new crew out on the 505 I often change their footwork. A couple of months ago I was able to reduce the number of steps my new crew took through a tack from eight to three—unhook, grab the new sheet with the proper hand at the right spot, and hit the new wire, trimming as he goes. The simpler the maneuver, the easier muscle memory follows.
How do you reduce friction?
A MUST for my boats is to reduce friction in the sail handling systems.
1. Wherever possible, I use cascading systems instead of double and triple blocks. This way, I get the same purchase while keeping the bends in the line to a minimum. The only limitation to cascade systems is the amount of space they require—or the distance of travel. When space isn't a problem, everything should be cascaded.
2. I also try to use the biggest block possible, again to avoid sharp turns for the rope and to make things run more smoothly. A big plus for the Harken Carbos is they're all-plastic blocks and super-light; it's no problem to go up a size, reducing friction without a significant weight penalty. Carbo blocks have the smoothest bearing systems available.
3. Lead angles must be perfect. I recently changed a lead from a fixed bullet block to a Ti-Lite block that articulates to the loads. With that simple change, I think friction and load went down close to 30%.
4. Harken has a fantastic variety of blocks. My goal is to have systems run as freely as possible, so I have to choose the right block for the job.
What differentiates your boat and its setup from others?
Really, nothing brilliant. I just look at every detail and make sure my hardware systems work smoothly. My goal is effortless fingertip control so I can keep my head out of the boat.
How do you prepare for a regatta?
I work out, stretch, and surf most mornings, plus sail a couple of days a week. Mentally, I try to get in a frame of mind somewhere between being too relaxed and too excited. To handle stress, I stay busy working on the boat.
What advice would you give a sailor new to the sport?
Find a boat that is fun to sail and that suits you physically, economically, and mentally. Then travel as much as possible and never quit sailing.
What do you find most rewarding about the sport?
Winning is far more rewarding than I ever imagined.
