The Pacer is the "Yachting Australia Preferred Equipment" for School and Youth Team Racing in Australia.
The class is spread through ALL states and territories of Australia and many State/Territory Yachting Associations, clubs and schools have fleets of Pacers that they use for top level team racing competition. The boat is also suitable to be used for weekend club racing and learn to sail programs.
"Whilst we cannot dictate to clubs and schools what equipment they should buy, we would very strongly encourage them to go with the Pacer. This ensures a national consistency and makes it easier for the kids when they travel interstate for National events." commented Jacqueline Ellis, Operations Manager who is responsible for managing AYF events. "This ensures a good second hand market for the fleets and it also opens up our options as to which clubs may host the Australian Secondary Schools Team Racing Championship".
The spread and strength of the Pacer being used for youth team racing is a result of the introduction back in 1989 and sponsorship for 12 years of a national school team racing competition by Epiglass (now International Paint). The Pacer was originally chosen for the championship as it was well suited to the weights of school aged sailors and was a sturdy yet high performance boat. Epiglass also initiated and sponsored an Interdominion Schools Team Racing event between Australian and New Zealand in order to develop this discipline of the sport in both countries.
Yachting Australia have no plans to change the Pacer’s preferred status. Several independent builders throughout the country build the Pacer.
For more information on the Pacer, contact the Pacer Association of Australia through President Robin Endersbee on 03 9890 9676 or at endersbe@melbpc.org.au
The Pacer is a two person centreboard dinghy. It has three sails – main, jib and spinnaker –however, the spinnaker is not used during Team Racing. The boats are distinctive and recognisable as the class rules specify that the sails are made of blue sailcloth. When used for Team Racing is it usual for 3 boats to have the standard blue jibs and the other 3 boats to have white jibs – therefore identifying the two Teams.
The Pacer is also suitable for use as a “learn to sail” training boat. With comfortable seating, simple rigging and an optional high tensile rubber bow (for greater protection), they are a good dual purpose boat.
Many yacht clubs, schools and sail training establishments throughout Australia have invested in a fleet (usually 6 to 7 boats) to use for both sail training and for school, youth and adult Team Racing.
There is an active class association who promotes the class and manages the class rules. Current contact details for the President and Secretary of the class association can be found in the search of class contact details in the “Clubs & Classes” section of this website.
There are currently two licenced builders in Australia:
30 Allworth Street, NORTHGATE QLD 4013
PH: 07 3266 2786
Factory 16, 59-65 Keys Road, MOORABBIN VIC 3189
PH: 03 9532 6177
Sails can be made by any sailmaker (to the class rules) and the boat maybe purchased either fully fitted or “clean” and the fittings attached by yourself (again to class rules specifications).
Should you have any questions regarding the Pacer and it’s “Yachting Australia Preferred Equipment” status for Team Racing, please contact Yachting Australia on office@yachting.org.au