Description
The El Toro is a small, one-design sailing dinghy known for its simplicity, affordability, and popularity as a youth and adult racing boat. Designed by Charles McGregor in 1939, it’s managed by the El Toro International Yacht Racing Association (ETIYRA) and widely raced in the U.S., particularly in California. Plans ensure one-design consistency, with rules specifying sail measurements (e.g., headboard: 4.5 in max, battens: upper 26 in max, lower 30 in max) and materials (no restrictions on sailcloth). Fiberglass versions are common for durability. Sleeve-Luff Design: The El Toro’s cat rig (single mainsail, no jib) features a sail with a luff sleeve (also called a mast sleeve or pocket luff). This sleeve is a fabric tube along the sail’s luff that fits snugly over the free-standing mast, eliminating the need for a boltrope or mast groove. The sleeve slides onto the mast before it is stepped, ensuring a secure and simple attachment.
Class Rules Confirmation: The ETIYRA specifications (available via sites.google.com, “Specifications & Sail Plan”) outline sail measurements (e.g., luff: 10 ft 11 in nominal, leech: 12 ft 2 in max for new sails) The rules focus on sail dimensions, battens (two allowed: upper 26 in max, lower 30 in max), and insignia, with no reference to slides, slugs, or grooves, supporting the sleeve-luff design.
Mast Design: The El Toro uses a free-standing mast (no stays or shrouds), typically wood or aluminum, which is simple and lightweight. A sleeve-luff sail is practical for this setup, as it avoids the complexity of a grooved mast or boltrope, which is more common in larger boats or those with stayed rigs (e.g., Ericson 25).
