Hello, I’m Robin, naval architect and CEO of FLYMAR. This story is one that begins with a love for sailing and a fascination with wooden yachts, especially the iconic Flying Dutchman (FD) class. Three decades of sailing, of which one decade with my brother in the FD was a journey filled with adventure and challenge, but also moments of revelation that would shape my understanding of boatbuilding and design in profound ways. When we eventually took some time off and sold our last FD, I made myself a promise: one day, I would return to the class with a wooden FD. But it wouldn’t be just any wooden FD!
A Family Connection: The Roots of My Love for Wooden FDs
One of the reasons I was so determined to sail a wooden FD traces back to my father, who also competed in the FD class. I vividly remember watching him sail a Hans Mader built FD back in mid 1980’s as he trained for the Olympics. The image of that gleaming mahogany deck, left an indelible mark on me. I was only a child, but the elegance and beauty of that boat gliding over the sparkling waters of Piran Bay enchanted me. The craftsmanship of that wooden boat stayed with me, fuelling my desire to one day own and sail an FD as iconic as the one my father raced.
Observing Wooden FDs on the International Stage
In the mid 2000’ as we moved into competitive FD racing, I couldn’t help but notice something intriguing during regattas. Occasionally, our paths would cross with the few remaining wooden FDs in the fleet. To my surprise, I felt these boats moved gracefully through the water, gliding with a smoothness that seemed to defy their age. I was sailing a composite FD from 1991, a boat we had rescued from near ruin and carefully restored. Even after countless upgrades and optimizations, we struggled to keep pace with the leading fleet, often feeling as though our boat lacked the innate speed we needed to stay competitive.
My father sailing on an wooden FD in late 70' - Family archive
In those days, my brother and I were no strangers to boat speed. We had years of experience sailing 49ers and before that had spent long hours honing our skills in Laser class. Our struggles on the FD, however, revealed a different set of challenges, especially in terms of upwind speed and angle. Eventually, after a particularly humbling experience at the 2008 European Championships, we decided it was time to invest in a new boat, built with all the latest materials and technology. This post cured epoxy carbon composite boat, we named Vesna after our mother, was an obvious revelation.
But even with Vesna’s speed, I remained fascinated by the performance of the wooden FDs we occasionally encountered. How could boats built decades earlier compete with modern, meticulously engineered composite machines? This question nagged at me for years, especially as I observed that certain boats seemed inherently faster than others, regardless of crew skill or age. As a naval architect, I was drawn to the possibility that these wooden hulls offered unique advantages in wave response and energy transfer. My experiences in competitive sailing had taught me that stiffness isn’t always beneficial - sometimes, a bit of give in the hull can provide a smoother, faster ride over waves, much like adjusting the suspension on a race car to suit the terrain.
Years passed, but my theory remained untested until I stumbled upon a wooden Hans Mader built FD from 1984. She was in rough shape, bearing the scars of a long racing life, but I saw potential beneath the weathered varnish and worn-out rigging. The restoration took over a year as I replaced all the lines, blocks, and hardware while carefully reviving her beautiful wooden structure. Finally, she was ready to sail. The experience of taking her out on the water for the first time was unforgettable - the way she glided through the waves, almost silent, felt entirely different from the composite FDs I was used to. She absorbed the energy of the water instead of pounding over it, delivering a smooth and graceful ride that was both fast and exhilarating.
FD CRO 51 during early stage of refit -personal archive
Putting the Theory to the Test: Racing with a Wooden FD
With her restoration complete, I brought my wooden FD to her first regatta, eager to see if my theory about wooden boats held water in a competitive setting. We started cautiously, opting for a clean start below the fleet to observe her performance. To my astonishment, we quickly pulled ahead, finding ourselves 100 meters clear of the fleet by the first mark. Over that weekend, our wooden FD consistently outperformed the competition, especially in light to medium winds. This wasn’t a fluke; I knew that this boat had untapped potential.
In stronger winds and waves, she continued to impress, handling smoothly without the jarring impacts I was used on composite hulls. As the year progressed, we had the opportunity to test her speed against modern FDs at high-stakes events, including the Croatian Open Nationals and the EuroCup in Pula. These races brought formidable competition, including top crews from Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, and Poland with brand-new boats.
FD CRO 43 gliding through the waves - photo by Hrvoje Duvančić
At the Croatian Nationals, we were joined by some of the best teams in the class, racing in conditions that varied from moderate to light winds over three days. Racing with my nephew on the helm and my brother and father competing in their own Hans Mader built FD from 1982, we realized that our wooden FD was not just competitive - it was exceptionally fast. By the end of the regatta, we secured a second-place finish, just behind the Hungarian team, who managed to outmanoeuvre us tactically. Meanwhile, my brother and father placed sixth, with another wooden FD boat finishing in fourth. The results were clear: our wooden FD was a force to be reckoned with.
The EuroCup in Pula was another proving ground for my theory. Racing against mostly new boats, including some 2024 models crewed by top teams, we faced tough competition. Although tactical errors placed us third overall, we knew the speed was there. Our wooden FD was consistently fast, sometimes even outperforming the latest models. It was an exhilarating experience, especially considering that our boat was over 40 years old.
The Unique Speed Potential of Wooden FDs
Reflecting on these experiences, I believe there is something fundamentally unique about wooden FDs. The natural properties of wood offer a balance between stiffness and flexibility that composite materials struggle to replicate. Wooden hulls seem to respond more gracefully to wave energy, smoothing out the ride in a way that allows them to maintain speed in challenging conditions. It’s a quality that, while difficult to quantify, can be felt palpably on the water.
Moreover, tuning a wooden FD requires a delicate touch, as these boats have a certain softness that can be exploited to gain an edge in light and medium winds. In stronger conditions, their ability to absorb wave impact provides a smoother, faster ride that can make all the difference in a close race. My experiences have taught me that boat speed is not just a matter of the latest technology - it’s about understanding the unique characteristics of each boat and tuning it to match the conditions and crew.
A Love Affair with Wooden Boats
Today, my love for wooden FDs is stronger than ever. They are more than just boats; they are works of art, built with a craftsmanship that respects both the traditions of sailing and the demands of performance. Sailing a wooden FD connects me to the past while challenging me to push the limits of what these boats can achieve. In every regatta, I am reminded of the timeless beauty of wooden boats and the thrill of discovering their hidden potential.
For anyone considering a wooden boat, I can say with certainty that there is something special waiting for you. It may not always be the fastest or most high-tech, but it will bring a richness to your sailing experience that no other boat can offer. Wooden boats remind us that sometimes, the old ways hold secrets that modern materials cannot reveal.
So here’s to the wooden FDs - the graceful, timeless vessels that have captivated my heart and shown me the hidden beauty of boatbuilding. If you’re lucky enough to find one, don’t hesitate to embrace the challenge and magic of sailing her. You may just discover that the journey is as rewarding as the destination.
R.M.
FD CRO 51 Sailing after the refit - photo by Hrvoje Duvančić
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Fantastic read!