The Heretaunga Boating Club sails dinghys from Petone Beach, in Wellington Harbour.

Boats sailed at HBC

We sail a wide range of boats at HBC. From boats as small as Optimists to as big as Javelins and Lasers. There is a boat class for everyone. Our main classes are:

Optimist

Optimists are a small, one-person dinghy suited for sailors 25-55kgs but can be sailed 60kgs+. HBC has 14 club Optimists which are used by our junior Learn to Sailors in their first season. Once sailors have graduated the Learn to Sail programme, they will need to buy their own fibreglass Optimist.

P Class

P class, like the optimist, are a small, one-person dinghy suited for 30-45kgs. P classes at HBC are used by sailors who have done 1-2 seasons in a optimist but are too small for a starling. HBC doesn't have a club P Class.

Starling

The Starling is a New Zealand designed boat from Des Townson. It is a great stepping-stone boat between the junior and senior classes. The Starling is suited for sailors 45-65kgs and is generally the next boat up after being in fibreglass optimists for 1-3 seasons. HBC doesn't have a club starling.

Sunburst

The Sunburst is an NZ only class (like the Starling, P Class and Zephyr) with 3 sails: Main, Jib and Spinnaker. The Sunburst is a two-person boat which provides a stable platform for any skill level but still has lively and competitve racing. Sunbursts are used in our Adult Learn to Sail programme which are gennerously voulenteered by our club members. HBC doesn't have a club sunburst.

RS Feva

The RS Feva is part of the new generation of youth boats. It carries a main, jib and gennaker to provide fast and exciting racing. Sailed as part of the SailGP Inspire programme to 2025, this boat has developed a large national following. The RS Feva is also used as a part of our Adult Learn to Sail programme. HBC has 2 club RS Fevas

ILCA 6, 7 (Formally Laser Radial and Full)

When it comes to single handed dinghys, the ILCA is arguably the pinnacle. A boat that rewards good choices and punishes you for the bad choices. The ILCA 6 (Radial rig) is suited to 65-75kgs and the ILCA 7 (full rig) is suited to sailors between 75-90kgs although there are sailors who are 90kgs+ and still competitive. HBC owns one Laser with both Radial and Full rigs.