Flying Junior Section

Uus van Essen of Holland designed the International Flying Junior in 1958. The designer was already known for his Flying Dutchman one design. Listed  as co­designer was Conrad Gulcher, Dutch Olympic sailor. It is estimated that over 10,000 Flying Juniors have been built.

The original Flying junior first appeared in 1955 and was built of cold molded wood. The hull shape had not changed over the years but the mast is now shorter than in the original version even though the jib and main remain the same. The original Junior also had no trapeze.

T Junior is capable boat sailed by persons of all ages even thought the boat was originally meant for "Junior racers" ({hence the name!). With the addition of a  trapeze and larger spinnaker the boat continues to be a real competitor.

The boat is both maneuverable and safe even though things can happen quickly in a regatta, the double hull and open transom make it safe for inland and open waters.

The class enjoys a popularity in clubs in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Japan along with the USA.

The Original builder was 'Jachtwerf van Düsseldorf' at Loosdrecht, Holland. About 1960, Advance Sailboat Corporation, of Parkville, Missouri began to build FJ's out of fiberglass. This was the first U. S. builder.  Advance later moved to Independence, MO, where the boats were built in limestone caves, which provided perfect temperature and humidity control for using the then new fiberglass material. About 1980 the business was sold, where it operated for a short time as Dolphin Sailboats, before closing.  The molds are now owned by Jeff Moses (Moses Ark Sailboats).

 However, the design has enjoyed such popularity that is was built by many fine boat builders including

• Paceship (Canada)
• Galletti (Italy)
• Tiptree (Great Britain)
• Doesburg (Germany)
• Botterill (Australia).
• Advance Sailboat Corporation  (USA)
• Dynamic Plastics (now H&H Sailcraft) (USA)
• Southern Ohio Sailcraft (USA)
• Sailnetics (USA)
• Cabellero (USA)

The only current builder is H&H Sailcraft.