Rainbow, the iconic C&C 61 that won the 1972 Newport Bermuda Race

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Rainbow c&C61
Rainbow (formerly Robon) – C&C61

Claiming that a ‘plasticone’ can be as fascinating as a vintage boat is finally (almost) accepted. And not only that, it is perhaps also important to do so, because it underscores the fundamental role that these boats have also played, and continue to play.

Indeed, as we are seeing, the sailing world is changing, opening up to so many Classic Boats, emblematic, if you will, of its own history. Telling the genius and stories behind fiberglass boats thus becomes welcome, if not necessary. Especially when it comes to big names and big boats, as in the case of the
Rainbow
(C&C 61, 1972), a design capable of marking an epic turning point in the boating world.

Rainbow – C&C 61

Rainbow – C&C 61

At 18.67 meters long overall, 15.24 meters at waterline and 4.60 meters at maximum beam, the C&C 61 was, in its own way, a dazzling design. Built beginning in 1971 by C&C Shipyards (Ontario; CAN) to a design by Cuthbertson&Cassian, it was one of the first and largest balsa sandwich boats ever built.

In fact, in 1971, no one had ever seen a sandwich hull of this size, demonstrating how far-sighted the two Canadians were as pioneers in the boating world, assembling fiberglass and balsa (balsa sandwich) so as to create lighter and stiffer hulls.


Sandwich construction was in fact “the egg of Columbus” for achieving lightweight and extremely rigid structures. A technique still used today and recognized in common parlance as “composite,” although the materials used are different.


However, the “risk” of having such an innovative boat built for those years could only be taken by an already “visionary” person. And so, it was. Today’s Rainbow (ex – Robon III) in fact, was by comic book artist Stan Lee – daddy of Spider-Man and the whole “Marvel World.”

rainbow sailboat
The Rainbow racing during the VELA Cup

Taking a closer look at the design, however, the C&C 61 was originally born as a fast-cruiser, a boat designed to be as high-performance as it was comfortable, thus favoring both cruising and competitiveness, the latter based on the 12-Meter International Tonnage standard of the time. An undoubtedly ambitious intent that was, however, achieved smoothly.

Competitive from the very first races, the C&C 61 indeed proved to be a design loaded with winning numbers, a quality well demonstrated by the Rainbow himself (then Robon), winner of the famous
1972 Newport Bermuda Race.
, a race of over 635 nautical miles fought among 178 boats, mainly upwind, with winds, at times, over 70kn…

Robon at the 1972 Newport Bermuda Race – Mitchell

From 2000 to the present

In 2000 Rainbow changed ownership, acquired by the Rocca family, who restored it to its former glory after a total refit of the facilities and parts of the deck equipment, which retained the original character and style. Eight long months in the shipyard later, the Rainbow takes to the sea again, to participate in regattas and cruise all corners of the Mediterranean.

To participate in the most prestigious vintage and modern circuits, however, the Rainbow has encountered quite a few problems, at least until more recent openings to the IOR and Classic Boats, which just today we see reaching a climax. Of course, not every case has been unpleasant, however, and among the many, we recall the Rainbow ‘s successful participation in the
Vela Cup
of 2015 or the more recent
17th edition of the Raduno Vele Storiche Viareggio
, in 2022.


Do you have a Classic Boat? Tell us about it!

  • Do you have a Classic Boat and want to tell us its story?
    Write it to us at
    deluise@panamaeditore.it
    , accompanying it with a few pictures of the boat. We will publish it in the Sailing Newspaper!

  • Do you have a Classic Boat and want to sell it?
    Place it on our
    classifieds marketplace
    , it’s free and we’ll help you out!

  • Do you have an IOR / Classic Boat?
    Participate in the


    SAIL CUP


    , from this year is also open to the

    Classic IOR

    and Classic Boats more generally, as well as to all boats over 25 years old!

 

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