The MIT Fleet

The Sailing Pavilion has the following boats.

• A fleet of 34 Tech Dinghies.

  (From Sailing and the Tech Dinghy.) The Tech was designed specifically for MIT by Professor George Owen, and the first boats were made for the opening of the Sailing Pavilion in 1935. These boats were built of wood, lapstrake construction by the famous Herreshoff Yard in Bristol, Rhode Island. They featured a movable mast so they could be either sloop or cat rigged. A large half model of these early boats still exists in the stairway at the Pavilion. In 1953 the first fiberglass Techs were built by Beetle Boat of Cape Cod, and their construction marked a pioneering effort in this material that would soon take over the boat building industry. These boats had a relatively low freeboard and were famous for their rugged construction. Our present Techs were built in 1993 by OSP Composites of Wisconsin, and the design was modified by yacht designed Halsey Herreshoff, grandson of the original builders. The boats are 12.5 feet (3.81m) long, cat rigged, weigh about 200 pounds (90kg), and represent the best technology in heavy duty fiberglass construction. Although it is designed as a beginner's boat and for casual recreational use, the Tech is a popular boat for racing and one of the most popular of the college racing classes.

• 6 Rhodes 19s

  The Rhodes 19 is a 19-foot sloop that is large enough to easily accomodate six or more crew. Five of MIT's boats have a heavy fixed keel, and one has a retractable centerboard. The Rhodes 19 is best sailed with at least two persons for proper trim of the main and jib sails. A Provisional Rating is required to take out one of these boats. For sailors who have never handled any boats larger than a Tech Dinghy, we offer an Introduction to Sailing the Rhodes 19 class to get you started. (more info on Rhodes 19s)

• Two Lasers (for recreational use)

  A Laser is a small, lightweight, single-person sailboat. On a breezy day, expect to go very fast and get wet! A Provisional Rating is required to go out in a Laser. (more info on Lasers)

• A Hobie 20 catamaran

• 18 Club Flying Juniors (FJ's) and Six 420's (used by the Sailing Team)

• Nevermore, a 37-foot Tartan sloop.

  Nevermore is the Pavilion's large, ocean-going sailboat. She is moored in Boston Harbor just off Long Wharf, next to the New England Aquarium. MIT sailors can sign up for trips to learn all about ocean sailing. No sailing experience is necessary. Learn more about Nevermore and MIT's bluewater sailing program.