CONSTRUCTION G.R.P. Hull, Deck and interior tanks mouldings

• LENGTH 5m (16’ 6")
• BEAM 2.025m
• HEIGHT 0.756m
• WEIGHT 480Kg
• DRAUGHT PLATE UP 0.26m
• OARSMEN 5 – 6
• DRAUGHT PLATE DOWN 1.14m
• BUOYANCY PU. With 10% (mm) Reserve
• RIG Gunter
• MAIN SAIL 127.5 sqft
• JIB 44 sqft
• TOTAL SAIL AREA 171.5 sqft

The 5M Pulling and Sailing Dinghy was redesigned by Bossoms Boatyard Ltd for the Ministry of Defence, to take full advantage of the proper application of modern materials for a wll tried and proven boat.

The 5M P & S dinghy continues in service as an uncomplicated, robust open sail training dinghy. Due to their uniform shape and weight they are also excellent for pulling, training and regattas, and are in use extensively with Sea Cadet Units on coastal and inland waters.

The construction is such that the boat can be kept in service with minimum skills and equipment and to be safe and simple. The 5M P & S dinghy is a traditional open dinghy with a gunter rig, and lifting centreboard and rudder. It is suitable for pulling with 5 – 6 oars and has a stern sculling facility.

Construction is of G.R.P. with wooden thwarts, bilge rails and handholds and heavy wooden gunnel rubbers. The substantial wood bottom boards are covered with non-slip treadmaster and are fitted with stretcher cleats and moveable stretchers. The majority of fittings are in polished stainless steel and mast, boom and gaff are in Sitka Spruce.

The history of this particular craft as far as we are aware dates back to the original craft with a specification which was written by the MOD in 1925, this was a wooden Clinker craft. 16’ long and was a Pulling and Sailing Dinghy. This is what we would call 16’ 6" ASC Mark 1.

In 1961 the specification was updated and the hull only was constructed out of glass reinforced plastic with the remaining internal structure constructed out of wood. Most of the fittings based upon the 16’ 6" ASC Mark 1 were fitted to this particular model and we call this the 16’ 6" ASC Mark 11.

In 1975 a complete revamp was undertaken by Bossoms Boatyard, the hull and all the internal structures were then constructed out of glass reinforced plastic and the rig was changed with a new type of arrangement for the adjustment of the mainsail and its associated parts, and all of the fittings were made in stainless steel. This has been manufactured to the specification for the last 20 years with very few minor changes. This boat is what we would call the 16’ 6" ASC Mark 111.