Did you know that the A-Class catamaran is the fastest single handed racing catamaran in the world?  In fact it is arguably the world's fastest small sailing boat upwind?  'Never start upwind of an 'A' Class unless you plan to tack off!'

This site has been created to promote the A-Class Catamaran sailing in Britain, inform potential recruits and provide information for those who are already participating in this most exciting of classes.

The 'A' Class Catamaran - The closest thing to empirical evidence that God exists!

The BACCA wishes to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Andrew 'Bart' Simpson who was killed whilst doing what he lived for.  

  AUT/GER/SUI Nationals, Bodensee, 2013

  Carsington Fast Cat Open Report, 2013

The Carsington club has a fair number of cats and has, for several years held a cat open later in the year.  More here

  Training Weekend

A-Class training event at BOGNOR REGIS .Matt Burnett is organising a training day for 8th and 9th of June. Training on the water and boat park run by Chris Field (from a rib) on the Saturday with HD video and review ashore. Chris will cover all abilities. Curry and a few beers on sat night and racing on the Sunday. He's organised launch and retrieval assistance for those concerned about a beach launch. Max numbers are 6 (four spaces left) with a cost of £65 per head including breakfast on Sunday.

  German/Austrian/Swiss nats - Bodensee

For those who are interested in going, here are the English NOR   If you get registered at the club before the 30th April, you can pay the lower fee on arrival. Saves bank transfer charges!

And don't forget you will need valid measurement certificates.  Contact me to arrange if needed!

  2014 First Ranking Event

It is being discussed whether to move the first of the years ranking events from the Datchet Cat Open to Carsington Water Fast Cat Open.  Both venues have pros and cons.  Your feedback is welcomed.  You can vote at out Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/British-A-Class-Catamaran-Association

  Kielder Water Mayday Event

Entry forms for the Open are here and the Dam to Dam Challenge are here.  Please return them if you are going!

Return your forms to;

Geoff Brown. Hon Sec & Sailing Sec. Watsons Walls, Wark, Hexham, Northumberland, NE48 3BP

or scanned copies to this email address baronvonbrown@mac.com

  Datchet Cat Open, 16th-17th March, 2013 -  A Cat Carnage in Berkshire.

The weather forecasters didn’t have a clue about the weather on March 16^th – 17^th.  Early on in the week, they said 7mph and sun.  More here

Official UK Rankings Now Here.

Datchet Open

The chaps at Datchet Water SC say that the club gates will be open to enable those arriving on Friday to drop off boats and camp.  There will be a charge as they will have to provide security, but not too much!  Call them on 01753 683872 for any more details.

Champions All!

Look who dropped by!

In order of height - British Champion Phil Neal. European Champion, Chris Field and World Champion, Mischa Heemskerk,

2013 London Dinghy Show   - Thanks

A big vote of thanks to all those who helped out on the stand at the 2013 Dinghy Show.  It was a great success and we were busy nearly all weekend answering questions and generally promoting the cause.  A greatt time was had by all!

The Sunday Crew - 

Colin Bannister, Struan Wallace, Gordon Upton, Chris Field, Chris Sampson, Matt Burnett and Jamie Walker

2013 London Dinghy Show  HOT NEWS!!

New 2013 UK Events

Carsington Water SC has just announced that there will be a Fast Cat Open on 13th - 14th April 2013.  This is now in addition to their September Slow Cat Open for the Dart 15, Catapult etc.

Also, yet to be confirmed, but Rutland SC hope to hold a dedicated 'A' Class open on 28th - 29th September 2013. This will be designated as a ranking event.  

And, as a result of many UK sailors going over to take part in the German Nationals, the Rutland Cat Open will no longer be designated a ranking event for this year.  Seems unfair to penalize those international adventurers! 

2013 UK National Championships -  6th, 7th, 8th September 2013

It has been confirmed that this years 'A' Class Nationals will be at the Island Yacht Club, Canvey Island, Essex.  The format will be to try to get at least 7 races, with a possibility of 9.  It is being held as part of their Cat Open event and will include 2 evening meals, Saturday night entertainment, bottle of wine with meal, free camping with electric available and free de-rigging BBQ!  Good eh?!

NOR to follow.

2013 Membership forms are now here!  

Struan wants your cash -  Please get it back to him ASAPP!

2015 'A' Class World Championships UK bid.

The BACCA are proud to announce that we have submitted a bid to host the 2015 World Championships at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Centre. If successful and we are chosen to host it by the IACA committee, this would see the world's top 'A' Class sailors racing at this superb place for the first time.  Some sailors, Nathan Outridge to name but one, are already familiar with this world class purpose built sailing facility in Dorset and it's not often the opportunity to race at a premier Olympic venue comes around. The BACCA together with The National Sailing Centre at Weymouth offers the IACA and the world's top 'A' class sailors just that chance in 2015.

Their final decision is some way off yet, but our fingers are crossed!

New look International 'A' Class Website

Check out here!

UK 'A' Class National Championships.    31st Aug - 2nd Sept.

We have a new UK National Champion - Congratulations to Phil Neal!!

Phil Neal 1st, (centre), Bob Fletcher 2nd (left) Dave Lowe 3rd.

Full report here,  Photos Here!

AC45 Hopefulls

Phil Neal, Gordon Upton, Dave Lowe

Whereas most other racing classes are one-design, the A-Class is a development class and as a result it has become the very pinnacle of the high-tech sailing boat.  Many state-of-the-art design developments seen today in, for example, the latest Americas Cup racers, have been first developed and then applied to the 'A' Class cat.

Whilst being a relatively easy boat to actually sail.  They are stable and not particularly prone to cartwheeling or 'pitch-polling' even in the strongest of winds, unless you do something really stupid.  But the 'A' Class Catamaran is difficult to sail well, requiring many subtle tweaks and fine tuning to get it up to it's full potential.  You can be sailing upwind and suddenly realize that everyone else is out-pointing you, for no apparent reason!  A slight sail trim here, a small mast rotation there - it all has an effect, which is more noticeable because you are traveling faster. It suits people who like to fiddle and tune, but the feeling when you hit the sweet-spot is superb! 

It is so responsive that it almost talks to you! You just have to learn to listen.

Hardly any two 'A' Cats are the same.  Each sailor likes to have things customized to suit their own style.  Transom or centre mainsheet, different downhaul and mast rotation systems, even rudder and daggerboard shapes can vary.  You will see many different hull shapes.  The current trend is for wave piercing bows and curved daggerboards which are thought to give an edge when sailing downwind.  

However, the actual hull shape has a lesser effect on the speed than having the correct rig setup.  The mast and sail are designed to work together for a particular crew weight.  Having the correct sail shape and mast stiffness for you is far more important than having the latest hull design.  A smooth sailing style is also crucial, and with an all up minimum weight of 75kg, this is essential to maximizing your potential boatspeed.

So, if you are up for the challenge of the Formula One of the sailing boat world, drop us a line.  We can then hopefully put you in touch with someone who can help, as the 'A' class 'scene' is a very friendly and helpful one!  

Now you wouldn't want to die not knowing, would you?!