The Martin 16 Sailboat

John C. Anderson
Stroke Survivors Tattler

SSTattler: I lived in Ottawa and I was introduced to the Martin-16 the first year of my stroke. Martin-16 is a keel-boat type, efficient, fast, and specially for disability. In Nepean Sailing Club in Ottawa have a small but active disability with Martin-16's among 500+ keel-boats.  Wheelchairs is simple access from your car to Martin-16 slips.

See Martin 16 Sailboat for able and disabled sailors for details. Here is a summary:

Design

The Martin 16 is an ideal One-Design race boat and recreational day sailor in all weather conditions, for all ages and levels of experience. Whether you are competitive or recreational, the Martin 16 ideology and spirit has been purified to enhance fair tactical sailing. 

In competition, there are two Martin 16 fleets; sailors begin in a Silver Fleet and then graduate to the Gold Fleet. The boat allows all sailors to compete on equal playing field. 

The Martin 16 design combines stability, maneuverability, control and lively performance. It attracts sailors from the ages of 10-and-under to 70+, from 40 kg to heavyweights, from novice to national champion. In addition, the boat is ideal for sailing schools and training clubs, while it is also accessible for seniors and persons with disabilities. 

Its weighted high lift keel makes it a very stable and safe boat, which can be easily trailer launched and rigged by one person. The Martin 16 philosophy is built on simplicity and versatility. 

An Accessible Keelboat

The Martin 16 has design features that make sailing accessible to all sailors with mobility impairments. Stability, adjustable seating and specialized control systems make it user friendly for sailors with any level of physical ability. The Martin 16 offers optional automated systems for steering, sail sheeting and bilge pumping. By incorporating the needs of high quadriplegic sailing, the Martin 16 is the most accessible One-Design on the market, providing high quads with ‘sip and puff’ options, enabling them to race competitively.

See as well Assistive Technology - Joystick, Windlass Power Winch, Sip & Puff.