The Boat

The boat was designed by Richard Hartley of New Zealand, as an affordable trailer sailor that could be built by a person with basic carpentry skills in their own garage. In fact, it was specifically designed to fit inside the standard garage of the 1960’s. The original shape was based on a small New Zealand mullet fishing boat that was a safe and tested design. The Hartley Trailer Sailor was then adjusted in dimensions to fit the garage while taking advantage of the fractional sloop design.  When Richard Hartley presented the trophies at the first Annual Hartley TS 16 Championship in1965, he mentioned that he never had expect the boat he designed from a mullet fishing boat is a day sailor would become such a competitive centreboard racing craft.  George Hearne the founder of the Association was looking for a boat which could take the whole family.