Pelican (dinghy)

For The Bill Short Pelican designs, see Pelican (Bill Short).

Pelican

Boat
Crew	2
Hull
Hull weight	54 kilograms (119 lb) (min)
LOA	2.900 metres (9 ft 6.2 in)
Sails
Jib/genoa area	none

The Pelican is a pram dinghy, peculiar to Perth, Western Australia

Design

It is similar to the ubiquitous Mirror, being a gunter-rigged pram designed for a crew of two. However, it's a little smaller and is usually rigged only with main and spinnaker. Originally constructed in timber, many are now constructed in fibreglass. A variant of the Pelican class sailed at Lake Maquarie is also rigged with a jib.

Foils

The rudder is made from wood or fibreglass. The daggerboard is made of aluminium improving its longevity and ease of maintenance.

Sails

In 2014 the class rules were updated to allow Polyester Laminate sails (Mylar). This and Dacron are the only materials allowed.

The class evolved in the 1950s from the tenders of local sail boats – these were jury rigged with sails for races between crews of sail boats moored at Rottnest. The class peaked with over 270 hulls registered with about 70 currently active (cite WA newspapers report Jan 2008).

It remains a popular beginners' dingy class in Perth.

Class associations

• The Pelican Sailing Association