Our Fleet

The Martin 16 

DSA-Alberta is the proud owner of a fleet of five Martin 16s.  The Martin 16 sloop was specifically designed for sailors with mobility impairments.  From a forward-facing sitting position, the sailor has complete control of the boat.

• A ballasted centreboard prevents capsizing
• The rudder is controlled through a joystick
• A self-tacking jib sail frees the sailor from heavy line hauling
• A second seat provides room for a Sailing Instructor, a qualified Sailing Companion or a friend.
• The portable Autohelm Windlass System allows sailors that have no hand function to sail independently, sheeting the sails and steering their Martin 16 with their breath.

The Sonar

With the support of the Parks Foundation Calgary and Calgary Community Lottery Board, DSA-Alberta is the proud owner of a 23' Sonar sloop christened  "PFC Freedom II".  In 1995, the Sonar was chosen as the Paralympic 3-man keelboat class, and adaptions have been made to make the boat accessible to sailors with disabilities.  Our Sonar has:

• a "Strahle-seat" in the helm position, providing secure seating for the helmsperson. Manual joysticks or an Autohelm may be used to steer the Sonar

• plenty of cockpit seating, and lap belts to provide support for our  passengers.

• a jib furler and a reefed mainsail, allowing sail area to be reduced for safety. 

The Sonar is ideally suited to our Community Partnership Programs, providing plenty of seating for 6 - 8 adults, and a lively sail. The Sonar is also available to our Members to sail in Wednesday Evening Racing or regattas. In time, some DSA Alberta members hope to form a Paralympic Team. 

The Access Dinghy

The Disabled Sailing Association of Alberta now has four Access Dinghies and hopes to be able to use them in lessons and further our outreach for 2007.

The Outreach program will take the form of a mobile Community Partner program, which will visit appropriate lakes and communities around Alberta, in order to provide sailing opportunities for groups of persons with a disability, seniors and disadvantaged youth.