Heavyweight Dinghy
The Finn is a men's single-handed heavyweight dinghy, which is sailed worldwide.
The Finn dinghy was designed in 1949 by Swedish canoe designer Rickard Sarby for the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games, in Finland. These boats have been part of the Olympic line-up ever since.
Since 1949, the heavyweight dinghy’s hull has remained the same, although there have been several developments to other parts of the boat. The original Finn masts were made of wood. In the early ’70s there was the move to aluminium masts, as aluminium is more flexible and provides greater control. More recently, carbon fibre masts have become popular. The Finn, due to its long lasting hull and mast, is considered to be one of the cheaper sailing dinghies.
The Finn is sometimes referred to as the only truly athletic single-hander for sailors weighing from 90 to 115 kg. Training is an important aspect of sailing a Finn. To race these boats at Olympic level sailors require a high level of fitness, strength and agility.
A further advantage to these boats is their adaptability. Sailors with varying physiques can easily adjust the centreboard position or mast rake to adapt the boat to their weight and height to assist them in sailing competitively.
Due to regular upgrades and refinements to the class rules, the Finn is technically innovative with its simple but high-tech rig. The class rules have successfully produced many boats, which are widely acknowledged as having uniform speed potential, yet have allowed the class to lead the sport in the development and use of new materials and construction techniques. With these ongoing technological advances, the quality of Finns produced today enables international sailors to charter boats and compete at World Championships.
- Type: Centerboard Boat
- Year Designed: 1949
- Mainsail Area: 10.2 m²
- No. of Crew: 1
- Number of Trapeze: 0
- Hull Weight: 107 kg
- Designer: Rickard Sarby
- Hull Length: 4.5 m
- Advertising Cat: C
- Hull Material : GRP (classic boats wood)
- Beam Length: 1.5 m
International Finn Class Rules
