I have already described modifications, both made and contemplated, to my Devon Day Boat (Bulletin 103 — spring 1984). This note comments on the performance of these and other modifications made since 1984. I still sail single-handed, and have found all these arrangements excellent.

The use of the extra inboard headsail set on the inner forestay has been so successful that I now rarely sail without it. The boat balances better and sails much easier than with the headsail on the bowsprit alone. I carry three inner foresails, which might seem excessive. I happened to have them and each suited a different purpose. The smallest is the storm jib from my Wayfarer, and it makes an excellent storm jib on my Devon Day Boat. The second is a much larger jib, 2.8 metres on the luff and 1.3 on the foot, which completely fills the triangle between the inner forestay and the mast. Intermediate in size between these is a Firefly jib, which is infrequently used. The large inner foresail provides excellent drive and control in winds up to about f4, but as this wind speed is approached it makes the boat increasingly difficult to handle; it must be replaced by the storm jib before work on the small foredeck becomes dangerous. In winds over f4, the storm jib, in conjunction with the roller reefed headsail, provides excellent control and good drive to windward. I have sailed in winds up to f7 and f8, but would not choose to do this.

There are two other major advantages of an inboard headsail. One is that the boat will now heave-to under the inner foresail alone after the roller reefing headsail on the bowsprit has been completely furled. The second is that the boat can be set up to self‑steer, and will do so for considerable periods, especially in winds of less than f3. I conclude that these two effects are due to the inner foresail being close to the centre of effort within the boat. The considerable moment which accrues from the headsail set on the end of the bowsprit is thus largely eliminated, and this prevents the head being blown off. John Deacon (Bulletin no. 105 — winter 1984) suggested a simple method of self‑steering which I am quite unable to operate on my Day Boat. I consider this is due to the large centreplate providing an easy pivot around which the boat can yaw. The rapid reduction of keel area aft of the centreplate also reduces the grip of the stern on the water, which further accentuates the effect.

I now get reasonable self-steering with shock cords stretched right across the aft cockpit, which are looped around the tiller. Adjustment is easy. Some attention is needed to ensure the course is maintained.

The larger mizzen is also an improvement and, with the inner foresail, helps to balance the boat. I have always found it difficult to sail a Devon Day Boat on headsail and mizzen alone with the wind before the beam, although it is stated that this can be done with the Devon Yawl. I suspect this is due to windage on the cuddy blowing off the head. In light airs I can set a mizzen staysail shackled to the centreplate housing which gives useful extra drive. I installed an extra halyard on the mizzen for this purpose.

The original Salcombe Yawl was clinker built and gaff rigged. This would have resulted in considerably different handling characteristics. There would be different moments about the centre of effort compared to the Bermudian rig now in use. There would also be a better grip on the water. The fibreglass Devon Yawl and Day Boat are, nevertheless, remarkably fine and easily handled, seaworthy little vessels; they are not dinghies or anything like them. This is not surprising considering they are fishing boats, built to work over a dangerous bar. I regard ‘sailing dinghies’ as unballasted boats where crew weight is essential to balance the boat when she heels over. These boats are not self-righting from a knock-down.* Devon Yawls have internal ballast; the steel centreplate weights 100 kg and there is 20 kg extra internal ballast on either side of the centreplate. She is thus very stable, and I can stand on the gunwale without effect on the equilibrium. Devon Yawls are little ships and thus carry sail and wind, and because of the great stability they can easily be sailed singlehanded.

By this definition perhaps we had better change the name of the Association; I for one have never owned a dinghy so defined! Editor