Paper Tiger History

Design

The Paper Tiger is a catamaran designed by Ron Given of New Zealand in 1968. It is widely sailed in New Zealand and Australia.  

Class rules allow hull construction from plywood, kelvar, fibreglass or carbon fibre. The boat is suitable for home built construction.

The rig features an aluminium mast with  a fully battened sail.  Class rules allow adjustable downhaul, outhaul, kicker and lower forestays . This provides a wide sailing envelope over a range of wind and sea conditions. Optimium sailing conditions are 5-25 knots.

Centreboards and rudders can be retractable.

 Paper Tiger Overall Dimensions

Length: 14 ft (4.3m)

Width: 7ft (2.2m)

Minimum Weight: 110 lbs (50kg)

Sail Area: 100 sq ft (9.2 m2)

Historic Paper Tiger Register 

Plans for over 3200 Paper Tigers have been sold, and its estimated that over 3000 Paper Tigers have been built. The NZPTOA maintains a register of New Zealand Paper Tigers. 

If you own, or have owned a Paper Tiger, you can check out some of it's history in the register. Download 2M. We endeavor to keep this register as current as possible, and this need your help. If you have information to update this register please email the Webmaster.

 

 

 

Don Blow, build the hulls for #17... “Bobcat” 

Picture taken around 1968 in Tamaki estuary with Bob Morse at the helm.  

 

National Championships

New Zealand National Championship Regatta's have been held every year since 1969. Nationals also serve as selection trials for the new Zealand team to compete in Trans Tasman Interdominion regatta's. 

Past New Zealand National Champions

1969

D. Peet

1983

P. Gray

1997

T. Valder

1970

D. Peet

1984

P. Gray

1998

S. Manning

1971

K. Skelton

1985

R. Hughes

1999

S. Manning

1972

B. Frecklington

1986

W. Galloway

2000

J. Thomson

1973

P. Gray

1987

T. Valder

2001

J. Thomson

1974

B. Little

1988

T. Valder

2002

K. Peet

1975

P. Gray

1989

R. Sly

2003

J. Thomson  

1976

P. Lyell

1990

R. Sly

2004 B. Preston

1977

P. Lyell

1991

J. Thomson

2005 B. Preston

1978

D. Partington

1992

J. Thomson

  2006

  M. Bell

1979

B. Preston

1993

I. Maclennan

2007 M. Bell

1980

H. Handley

1994

J. Thomson

2008 S. Manning

1981

H. Handley

1995

T. Valder

2009 B. Preston

1982

P. Gray

1996

J. Thomson

2010 B. Preston

 

 

New Zealand Paper Tiger site maintained by:
Fleet Wellington
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