Great boat I built 45 years ago as a teenager. She is still a beauty even though rather an oddity and an antique around here on Lake Ontario. Got the plans from a Ron Davis an Englishman who had built a kit one back home. Her claim to fame is I raced her against the very first Laser, which I believe was being helmed by its designer Bruce Kirby at a club race at Bronte Harbour Yacht Club. He was trying out the Laser for the first time I believe. We had a tacking duel in light air and his prowess proved more than I could handle. Still I love the old girl, she is easy to row, and I have used a small motor on her but dont recommend it, as it will scar up your transom. Unfortunately, there is no racing around here as the class has died out in Canada. Good boat at as it will teach you how to sail or you get wet rather quickly.
I have E178, which my dad bought for me in 1957, she's wooden obviously. I still have the original two sets of cotten sailes, racing and cruising. Built by Jack Holt. She is now in Finland at our summerhouse which is on Lake Saiima, where I sail her every year.
In the winter she is stored undercover (cold and snow). She still goes like a storm and has given me the greates fun for a very long time.
I've raced and saied a wide range of boats up to Swan 65's, but my Enterprise I love the best!!
Every year, the blue sails are admired and she plains beautifully!
My dad has a 1959 Enterprise. The only problem we've had with it is we have broken to rudders. on two occasions in strong winds the rudder has just smashed to pieces and the boat has gone out of control and capsized. The reason for this might be that we have a twenty ft racing mast which means the sail area is massive.
what an excellent boat. good performance, despite the heavy/bulky appearance of the dinghy, even in quite light winds. quite tippy though, and when capsised, it tends to fill with alot of water, (well it does in mine)
A great boat to start racing with, or cruising , or just having fun. There are many reasons why it is one of the most popular sailing boats in the world (ever!)
Good basic dinghy for first timers although can be a little unstable in novice hands - be prepared to swim! Not suited to combined crew/helm weight above aout 22st
The Enterprise is one of the longest surviving and largest classes in the UK. Originally designed by Jack Holt in 1956 the boat continues to thrive with a very active racing circuit and may owners who use their boats for cruising and pottering about.
The boat is 4.04m long, of double chine design and is instantly recognisable by it's blue sails. Although not carrying a spinnaker the boat is still popular as a racing dinghy, and the very active class association provide regional travellers series across the country, together with World, National and Inland Championships.
To describe the Enterprise as a multi purpose boat would be a denial of it's strengths, racing is invariably close, and with a one design hull and sailplan, the successful are usually the best crews, the lack of blistering pace meaning the boats are usually close together and tactics are more important.
With many years of production behind it, and over 22000 registered boats there are plenty of 2nd hand bargains about, newer 1990s fibreglass boats are strong and should last where as older glass boats from the 1960's & 70's were soft and probably not a good buy. The majority of boats however were made in wood, and should you find a well looked after example with no rot it will probably be worth it's purchace price and should hold it's value.
Length 4.04m Beam 1.6m Hull weight 94kg Sail area 10.5sq m Portsmouth Number 1116
I have an Enterprise with the sail number 208. I also have what I think are original cotton cruising sails as well as Terylene racing sails. Is there anyone out there with a lower sail number.
Owned for more than 5 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed October 2002.
Performance
Racing Scene
Cruising and Pottering
Overall Value for Money
I have got two ent's and I am only 15! Top Boat!
Owned for 3 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed August 2002.
Performance
Racing Scene
Cruising and Pottering
Overall Value for Money
i have a 1963 enterprise with all the origional mast boom sails etc although to be competetive the mast sails and boom would have to be replaced but i love having a boat which everyone notes as a boat in great condition, a bit tippy but thats sailing
Owned for 5 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed February 2002.
Performance
Racing Scene
Cruising and Pottering
Overall Value for Money
I bought a 1975 composite 3 years ago. Re-equipped it with MacNamara sails and Kevlar halyards and have been very pleased with performance. Boat has won several handicap races and is usually first Ent home at our club. Good day-boat as well. Cost me £450 including a combi-trailer. There are plenty of good old Ents around for peanuts. Don't be put off by what you hear about plastic or composite Enterprises, at club level they can still win races and the floors don't fall out of them. I first raced Ents in the 70s, I have tried lots of other boats since, but for value for money an old Ent takes some beating. Should have been Sir Jack Holt years ago.
Never owned
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed January 2002.
Performance
Racing Scene
Cruising and Pottering
Overall Value for Money
I bought an 11 year old wooden one in 1997 for 2000, owned it for two years, raced it, and sold it to a good friend for not much less. He still sails it regularly and occasionally lets me play too. The performance is good, although in handicap racing you can forget it in over 5 knots when lasers are about. The recing is close, tactical and full of decent sailor, and with a varied raceing programme its one 'old' class that will not be lost.
Owned for 3 years.
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