Nils Schildt is nearly 80 years old, was part of the Olympic squad in 1972, and now sails a classic 12-foot dinghy – a boat that has been built and sailed according to virtually the same rules for over 100 years. In this interview on the fringes of the Hamburg Summer Classics He explains what fascinates him about this Olympic class and why, at almost 80, he is still so passionate about these boats, which are mainly built from wood.
Tell me, Mr Schildt, what is it about the 12-foot dinghy that fascinates you?
I’ve been keen on the 12-foot dinghy scene for a long time. I used to sail a lot of kites and large boats, but I’ve been eyeing up these boats for quite some time. I’ll be turning 80 shortly. So I said to myself: I’ll buy one again, restore it and see if I can still do it – and for how long.
And why this particular class of boat?
You feel very close to nature – in such a small 12-foot dinghy, just 3.66 metres long, with a sail area of almost ten square metres. What’s more, it’s sailed with a lugger sail, where – just like on a youth cutter – you shift the sprit to the other side at every tack.
You’re close to nature, without any major technical equipment. In fact, there are just three lines allowed in the cockpit: the centreboard halyard, the boom vang and the tensioner, which pulls the boom down to tighten the luff. No other lines are permitted.
Experience required
It almost sounds minimalist.
Admittedly, there are fewer things you need to keep an eye on. But sailing fast isn’t actually that easy. It’s just like a kite: it’s big, heavy and looks fast. But it does take quite a bit of experience.
What exactly is the difficulty?
The reason for this is that when sailing close to the wind, the Lugger sail is set up correctly. This is much easier with modern sails, as the sail’s profile is already built in. Here, you have to adjust everything individually: the luff, foot and leech, as well as the gaff. Everything has to be optimised. That’s precisely what makes it so appealing.
If a wooden boat is launched after a long period out of the water, it takes on water. This isn’t the case with 12-foot dinghies. Why?
This has to do with the riveting of the planks. They are riveted together very closely, using a specified number of rivets. This holds the wood – or, more precisely, the planks – so tightly together that the structure is truly watertight and no water can get in.
Designed as a tender
The open deck is also a special feature.
That’s right. The reason for this is that it was designed as a sailing or rowing boat for large yachts. Space had to be left free at the sides for the oarlocks. As such, there is only a small deck at the bow, which mainly serves to stiffen the hull.
Does ‘open’ mean that you sail even when it’s wet?
Yes, that’s true. The 12-foot dinghy isn’t designed to sail in strong winds. The sail area is simply too large, so there’s a real risk of taking on water. Jibes are no longer possible either, so you can only do Q-turns. The boat is so slender that it’s in danger of capsizing very quickly. That’s why regattas for 12-foot dinghies are normally only held in winds of up to force four. This is the case throughout Europe.
Although it was designed as a tender, it has a sporting history. What exactly is it?
The 12-foot dinghies were Olympic classes in 1920 and 1928, in Amsterdam. They were subsequently replaced – in 1936 by the Olympic dinghy and later by the Finn dinghy. However, these boats have been in existence ever since. As an Olympic class, they are subject to very strict rules.
Represented across Europe
How big is the 12-foot dinghy scene?
Today, there are large fleets, particularly in Europe. In the south, some of the boats are made of plastic. Otherwise, they can be found in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The fleets are traditional and, judging by their fittings and equipment, are sailed in the same way as they were back in 1920. The Dutch, in particular, attach great importance to ensuring that these rules are observed.
What sort of 12-foot dinghy do you sail?
A joiner bought the timber in 2005 and spent two years building this boat with his students. He taught at a woodworking college. He eventually sold this boat to me because he was retiring. However, I was only given the invoice for the timber, not for the finished boat. This means that, although it was built in 2005, it was constructed entirely in accordance with the plans and regulations from 1913.
More information You can find out more about the 12-foot dinghy class here.
Fabian Boerger
Editor News & Panorama