Raven (sailboat)

The Raven is an American trailerable, planing sailboat that was designed by Roger McAleer and first built in 1949.[1][2]

Raven
Development
DesignerRoger McAleer
LocationUnited States
Year1949
No. built400
Builder(s)Sound Marine Contruction
Cape Cod Shipbuilding
O'Day Corp.
Nevins Inc.
Boat
Crewthree
Boat weight1,170 lb (531 kg)
Draft5.33 ft (1.62 m) with centerboard down
Hull
TypeMonohull
ConstructionCold molded plywood or fiberglass
LOA24.25 ft (7.39 m)
LWL21.58 ft (6.58 m)
Beam7.00 ft (2.13 m)
Hull appendages
Keel/board typecenterboard
Ballastnone
Rudder(s)internally-mounted spade-type rudder
Rig
Rig typeBermuda rig
Sails
SailplanFractional rigged sloop
Total sail area300 sq ft (28 m2)
Racing
D-PN82.6

Production

In the past the design has been built by Sound Marine Contruction, the O'Day Corp. and Nevins Inc., all in the United States. Today it is built by Cape Cod Shipbuilding and remains in production. A total of 400 boats have been built.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Design

The Raven is a recreational sailboat, originally built of cold molded plywood. In 1951 it was converted to be constructed of fiberglass, with teak wood trim, including the cockpit coaming. It has a fractional sloop rig with aluminum spars, including a double-spreader mast, supported by stainless steel standing rigging. The hull has a spooned raked stem, an angled transom, an internally mounted, fiberglass, spade-type rudder controlled by a tiller and a retractable fiberglass centerboard. It displaces 1,170 lb (531 kg) and carries no ballast.[1][2][6]

The boat has a draft of 5.33 ft (1.62 m) with the centreboard extended and 7 in (18 cm) with it retracted, allowing beaching or ground transportation on a trailer.[1]

For sailing the design has roller reefing for the mainsail, dual self-bailers and a 6:1 mechanical advantage outhaul. A spinnaker is optional.[2][6]

Class rule changes instituted in 1970 allowed for a one-piece aluminum centerboard, a trapeze, a full width mainsheet traveler mounted on the aft deck and hiking straps.[2]

The design has a Portsmouth Yardstick racing average handicap of 82.6 and is normally raced by a crew of three sailors.[2]

Operational history

When the Raven was first built of fiberglass, starting in 1951, the initial eight production boats were purchased by the United States Coast Guard Academy for cadet training.[2]

See also

References
  1. McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Raven (USA) sailboat". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  2. Sherwood, Richard M.: A Field Guide to Sailboats of North America, Second Edition, pages 124-125. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1994. ISBN 0-395-65239-1
  3. McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Cape Cod Shipbuilding". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  4. McArthur, Bruce (2020). "O'Day Corp. 1958 - 1989". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  5. McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Nevins Inc. 1907 - 1959". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  6. Cape Cod Shipbuilding (2020). "Raven". capecodshipbuilding.com. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
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