Shark "World's" Regatta at BYC 2011

For those familiar with the Shark, it was one of the first mass produced sailboat, and more than 2500 Sharks have taken their place in the fleet, both on the North American continent and in Europe since its introduction in 1959. Following its introduction it rapidly became the biggest one-design keelboat fleet on the Great Lakes and today there are active fleets in the Montreal and Ottawa areas, as well as in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

A three person, easily trailerable, low-cost boat, the Shark rapidly became the biggest one-design keelboat fleet on the Great Lakes, and today there are also significant fleets in the Montreal and Ottawa areas, as well as in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The sleek hull, straight stem, and long flat run at the stern, fin keel and spade rudder made it a racer that climbs easily over its bow-wave to achieve speeds in excess of 10 knots. The six-foot beam and doghouse accommodate a V-berth, two quarter-berths with sink, stove and coldbox, making it a pocket cruiser with sitting headroom. It draws just over three feet, making it an ideal boat to tuck into anchorages denied deeper draught boats.

The Shark fleet annual circuit comprises ten regattas, beginning at the end of May and concluding in mid September with a regatta at Niagara on the Lake, the original home of the Shark. None of these regattas draws less than twenty boats and many draw over thirty.

This year the BYC will play host to the Canadian Championship and at this time it looks like over thirty boats will be on the line.