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Background
The Disabled Sailing Association of BC's (DSA)
was born when in 1988 Rick Hansen presented Sam Sullivan with
a British Sunbird that he had received from then British Prime
Minister Margaret Thatcher. The Sunbird was a great success and
provided DSA with many years of service. The Sunbird, however,
was an aging design, and even though the addition of a Sip 'n'
Puff control system made it more accessible to quadriplegics,
its performance was negatively affected, and it seized to be a
competitive sailboat. This prompted DSA to turn to world renowned
yacht designer and manufacturer Don Martin of Richmond. The joint
effort resulted in the Martin 16, the first boat in the world
to make the needs of high quadriplegics an integral part of it
design.
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The Martin 16 is a breakthrough
in small boat design. The weighted keel makes it a very safe boat
for people with severe disabilities. The high lift keel makes
the boat very stable, trailer launching is simple and the boat
can be easily rigged by one person.
The inherent stability of the boat,
along with the adjustable seating and specialized control systems
make the Martin 16 truly accessible to all physically challenged
sailors. It is also a lively performance boat for able bodied
sailors; this promotes DSA's goal of integrated sailing for recreation
and competition.
"Facilitator, innovator, supporter,
promoter, Steve's passion has had a profound impact on many lives,"
Sam said.
A Perfect Daysailer
The Martin 16 is perfect for solo
day sail. It is easily managed by one person with any level of
physical ability, yet its sprightly performance will thrill even
the most experienced sailors. The boat can easily placed on a
trailer, and it can be rigged and ready to go in minutes. The
low draft makes for simple ramp launching and the ballasted drop
keel makes it impossible to capsize. Sail trimming has been combined
to one line, making it simple and easy.
A Racing Boat
The Martin 16 is a no compromise
one-design high performance sloop. The narrow, easily-driven hull
provides impressive performance and excellent responsiveness.
By incorporating the needs of high quad sailing, the Martin 16
is the most accessible one-design; high quads using the sip and
puff options can race competitively.
An Accessible Keelboat
From its inception the Martin 16
was designed to be accessible to all sailors with mobility impairments-without
specialized adaptation. Stability, adjustable seating and specialized
control systems make it sailable by sailors with any level of
physical ability. The Martin 16 offers optional automated systems
for steering, sail sheeting and bilge pumping.
A Program Boat
The inherent stability of the boat,
combined with the simplicity of use makes for an ideal program
boat. A 'rumble' seat can accommodate an instructor, caregiver,
spouse or parent. It is safe; it will stay afloat even when totally
flooded.
Martin 16 Specifications
Length overall: 16'0" 4.90M
Beam: 4'4" 1.21M
Draft, keel up: 1'4" 0.40M
Draft, keel down: 3'4" 1.0M
Displacement: 700lbs 318kg
Ballast: 300lbs 136kg
Sail area: 100sq ft 9.50sqM
Mast height: 20' 6.15M
Crew: 1-2 persons
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