Bolger Proa Racer - historical design
The first Bolger design ever to draw my attention, was his entry in
a major design competition, sponsered by the venerable english
magazine, Yachting World, around 1968. Following a lull after the
frantic pioneering work in the 50's, in the late 60's after the
success of Toria in the Round Britain race, there was another multi
boom, resulting in an establishment magazine running a major design
competition.
Bolgers entry was very sophisticated, compared with his later simple
proas.
The boat was around 32-33ft. The main hull was rather like a slim
fast motorboat. Round bilge with a very tight radius chine and MTB
high chine bow. Obviously designed to plane. The amma was similar
but much scaled down. If you didn't look at the amma, in profile you
would have thought it an RORC ocean racer of the time, with tall
modern genoa sloop rig. The interior was also like a yacht of that
time. It would have tacked like a normal yacht, so it would be a
Pacific proa on one tack, an Atlantic on the other.
The plans were beautifully drawn, probably by a professional
draughtsman employed by the magazine. The innovative concept was
highly praised by the judges. Bolger did not win first prize, but
either 2nd, 3rd or honourable mention. I doubt it was ever built.
I no longer have the magazine, regretably my collection of the time
being lost during a shift. I hope someone may still have a copy,
because it would be worth adding to the Bolger archives.
DonB
a major design competition, sponsered by the venerable english
magazine, Yachting World, around 1968. Following a lull after the
frantic pioneering work in the 50's, in the late 60's after the
success of Toria in the Round Britain race, there was another multi
boom, resulting in an establishment magazine running a major design
competition.
Bolgers entry was very sophisticated, compared with his later simple
proas.
The boat was around 32-33ft. The main hull was rather like a slim
fast motorboat. Round bilge with a very tight radius chine and MTB
high chine bow. Obviously designed to plane. The amma was similar
but much scaled down. If you didn't look at the amma, in profile you
would have thought it an RORC ocean racer of the time, with tall
modern genoa sloop rig. The interior was also like a yacht of that
time. It would have tacked like a normal yacht, so it would be a
Pacific proa on one tack, an Atlantic on the other.
The plans were beautifully drawn, probably by a professional
draughtsman employed by the magazine. The innovative concept was
highly praised by the judges. Bolger did not win first prize, but
either 2nd, 3rd or honourable mention. I doubt it was ever built.
I no longer have the magazine, regretably my collection of the time
being lost during a shift. I hope someone may still have a copy,
because it would be worth adding to the Bolger archives.
DonB