Having taken over the copyright and building rights of the Wayfarer, Hartley Laminates introduced a new version of the Wayfarer, which changed the interior layout to a more modern design and reduced the costs of production, thus allowing the boat to be sold at a more competitive price. These changes resulted in increased sales for the boat.

There have however been problems with acceptance of the new design by the racing element of the membership. These mainly related to measurements outside class rules of the lower transom of the hull, and a change in shape to the bilge rails. A full history and explanation of the details relating to the design of the Hartley Wayfarer is available on the UKWA Website (for members’ access only).

The change in the shape of the bilge rails was introduced only to expedite production of the hull. Since the new bilge rail design has a greater wetted surface area than the minimum allowed for the other Wayfarer Marks, it is not regarded as a change that improves the speed of the new Hartley Wayfarer.

Because of the measurement discrepancies noted by the UKWA measurers, Hartley Laminates withdrew the racing model from the range of Wayfarers being marketed, offering a full refund to any racing owners dissatisfied with the current situation. Hartley Laminates felt that this was their only option as they were unable to invest the considerable amount needed to manufacture a new mould for the hull.

Roger Proctor of Ian Proctor Designs Ltd has been in long and detailed discussions with Hartley Laminates over the last few months in order to establish the cause of the problem, as well as to seek a solution. The Class Association Committee and Hartley Laminates recognise that a declining racing fleet and/or a split between the disparate sailing interests in the Wayfarer Assn. is not conducive to marketing the Wayfarer as one of the most popular all-purpose dinghies in the sailing world.

Hartley Laminates have agreed to consider making modifications to their hull mould, so that the transom will conform to the shape required for it to 'measure'. Gordon Harris (President of Waldringfield SC, and an experienced boat builder), as well as Paul Wren, (an experienced class measurer and past R&T chairman), have offered to work with the builder to carry out the necessary changes and verify the shape of the transom, before further new racing boats are produced, which will qualify for measurement certificates.

In order to prevent any future recurrence of disputes over what constitutes a legal Wayfarer hull, it is proposed that Hartley Laminates provide the UKWA with a full set of reference drawings of the new boat. Since Richard Hartley now owns the copyright to these drawings, the UKWA committee propose to pay him a substantial amount for the right to possess this information.  This will be the first time that the UKWA have had access to full set of Wayfarer drawings, and is seen as an important safeguard for the future of the class.

In addition, IPD Ltd will contribute £7,000 to the cost of altering the moulds in order to help solve the difficult situation faced both by Hartley Laminates and the Class.

However, before Hartley Laminates feel able to invest the significant amount of money that they will also be contributing to make the changes to the hull shape negotiated, they require full acceptance of the following proposal by UKWA members at the forthcoming AGM by a two-thirds majority, together with International acceptance from the 4 overseas NCA’s.

The UKWA committee therefore propose to put the following resolution to the membership at the AGM on 1st March 2008. The Executive Committee unanimously endorses this proposal and recommends it to you. The future production of the Wayfarer is currently at a difficult crossroads and your vote is very important for the continued success of the Wayfarer sailing dinghy.

1. Changes will be made to the present hull mould for the Hartley Wayfarer, which will ensure that the transom of the new boat conforms to the current measurement criteria as described within the class rules.

2. The change in shape to the bilge rails will be allowed to remain.

3. The internal changes of the new Hartley Wayfarer design will be allowed to remain, since it is considered that these are design and manufacturing features, rather than performance advantages. These include a different height measurement for the foredeck, and the position of the thwart being moved further aft. An acceptance of the self-draining aspect of the boat will also be granted. (This has been an accepted feature of the Wayfarer World, already acknowledged as a Wayfarer and qualifying for a measurement certificate).

5. The UKWA will pay the sum of £7,000 from Assn. Funds to Hartley Laminates for a complete set of reference drawings of the Hartley Wayfarer to be retained by UKWA/WIC.

6. A dispensation will be granted for all Hartley-built Wayfarers produced from the UKWA/WIC approved mould to be issued with a valid measurement certificate until this version of the Wayfarer is officially approved by the WIC.