12sqM Sharpie European Championship at Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club - Preview

by James Case, UK class chairman 5 Aug 2025 17:08 BST 10-15 August 2025

Sharpies, 94 Not Out!

Few dinghy classes can boast such a long and fascinating history as the Sharpie. Designed in 1931 by the German Kruger brothers, they won a design competition for a fast sailing dinghy under 6M, capable of being used for camping.

Good design endures, hence next week the Brancaster entry list for the Euros is edging towards 50 of these classic mahogany Gaff rigged beauties from the UK, Netherlands, Germany, and hopefully Portugal.

There are also groups of Heavyweight Sharpies still active in Australia, Brazil, and South Africa, reflecting the International and former Olympic class status earned in Melbourne in 1956. The Australians use "heavyweight" to distinguish from the Lightweight Sharpie which uses the identical hull shape, modern boats are now built in epoxy foam sandwich with bermudan rigs, trapeze,spinnaker, and a crew of three. A thriving class in Australia, with the kangaroo class logo!

Many of the top Sharpies competing next week have been fully restored, either with new planks, decks, or frames, up to full epoxy coating leaving them virtually maintenance free for many years to come. Entries include "Chuckles", the UK Bronze medal winning boat from 1956.

To maintain such a strong following the Sharpie is still fast, close winded, and a joy to sail. Many of the boats competing are second and third generation Sharpie owning families, adding to the unique atmosphere of a European meeting.

Whilst some classes are struggling for open and Nationals entries, the Sharpie bucks the trend and still provides competitive racing throughout the fleet, followed by equally entertaining multinational social events.

The Euros start in earnest on Monday 11th, with a 2 race per day format. Start times are ruled by the tides, from 0700 on Monday through to a more civilised 0930 start on Friday.