24 foot shark sailboat

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Shark 24 is a 24 ′ 0 ″ / 7.3 m monohull sailboat designed by George Hinterhoeller and built by Halman Manufacturing Co., Hinterhoeller Yachts Ltd., and C&C Yachts starting in 1959.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Although the first SHARK was built of plywood. But when designer/builder George Hinterhoeller started building them of fiberglass he couldn’t keep up with demand and the design became an international success. Since then, more than 2,500 Sharks have been built. Besides North America, Sharks sail the lakes of Austria, Switzerland, Germany and the waters of the Swedish archipelago. There have been a number of cosmetic changes to the design but, by in large, one-design standards have been maintained. ‘Sharkscan’ has been the class newsletter.

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The Shark 24 is a 24.0ft fractional sloop designed by George Hinterhoeller and built in fiberglass by C&C Yachts since 1959.

2500 units have been built..

The Shark 24 is a light sailboat which is a good performer. It is reasonably stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a day-boat.

Shark 24 for sale elsewhere on the web:

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November 30, 1999 by Sail1Design Editor Leave a Comment

Windrift Judy Kingsley’s “Windrift” off Coboug in 1981

When George Hinterholler designed the Shark in 1959, he was looking for a boat that would “go like hell when the wind blew.”  Growing up sailing in Austria’s Salzkammergut region, Hinterholler was used to light displacement finkeelers; fast, responsive and exciting.

The few sailboats he found on Lake Ontario when he immigrated to Canada in 1952 had heavy displacement hulls.  They were ponderous and had a bad habit of hoppy-horsing in the rough Lake Ontario chop.

The young boat builder/designer was bored by their performance. Announcing that he could build a boat that would sail circles around the rest, he retired to the shed behind his Niagara-on-the-Lake home and built Teeter Totter, a hard-chined 22-foot sloop made of plywood.  It was the forunner of the Shark.  And when the wind blew, it did go like hell. Its designer loved it and so did his friends.

There was an immediate demand for the nimble little boat 35 years ago, so that winter Hinterholler increased the length to 24 feet and began building plywood Sharks in his shed.  Hull number 5 was for a customer by the name of Bill O’Reilly who demanded that his boat be built of a substance relatively new to boat building; fiberglass.  He even offered to teach Hinterholler how to use it.  With fiberglass it took 18 man-hours to produce a hull instead of the 128 hours devoted to a wooden hull, and  fiberglass was virtually maintenance free.  That made his boat the  affordable yacht and Hinterholler and Shark were on their way to  International success.

Since then, more than 2500 Sharks have taken their place in the fleet, both on the North American continent and in Europe.  It rapidly became the biggest one-design keelboat fleet on the Great Lakes and today their are active groups on the east and west coasts and in the Montreal and Ottawa areas.  About 500 Sharks sail the large lakes of Austria, Switzerland and Germany and the waters off the Swedish archipelago.

There have been changes since Hinterholler first designed it, but they have been cosmetic.  The sleek hull, straight stem, and long flat run at the stern, fin keel and spade rudder made it a racer that climbs easily over its bow-wave to achieve speeds in excess of 10 knots.  The six-foot beam and doghouse accommodate a V-berth, two quarterberths with  sink, stove and coldbox, making it a pocket cruiser with sitting headroom.  It draws less than four feet, making it an ideal boat to tuck into anchorages denied deeper draught boats.

The Shark’s prompt success was due in no small part to its early racing record.  In 1960, Hinterholler crewed for George Steffan, later President of Mirage Yachts, in the Freeman Cup.  They cleaned up with three 1sts using brisk 18-knot winds to put a leg them and their nearest competitor in the race.  In the 1963 Freeman Cup the Shark did it again.  For small boats, the course was from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Rochester NY, 80 nautical miles along the south shore of Lake Ontario.  There were no spinnakers and no genoas on Sharks in those days and the race was sailed with main and working jib only.

“We thought our biggest competition would be the “Thunderbirds,” Hinterholler said “but after the first surf, we knew that there would be no contest.  We barreled down the course in seven hours and 44 minutes.”

In 1963, using a spinnaker on a close reach across Lake Ontario, Sid Dakin, one of the first to own a Shark, sailed the blockhouse Bay race from Toronto to Olcott, NY, with an adrenaline pumping average speed of 10.2 knots, beating the 56-footer Innisfree on a boat-for-boat basis.  That sort of speed boggled the minds of sailors unaccustomed to semi-displacement hulls.

Racing boats come and racing boats go, but the shark remains.  With its flexible rig and planing abilities, it is as up to date as anything on the market today.  And, with its low-aspect, 7/8ths rig and heavy keel, it has a sea-kindliness and seaworthiness to match its speed.

Hinterholler admits that the Shark’s scantlings are better suited to a tank, but the proof of his wisdom in overbuilding the boat has been in its longevity.  Virtually each of the 2,500 Sharks built in the last 35 years is still sailing and many of the first hulls off the line are still winning their share of races.

The Shark is seem sailing happily in all major Canadian cruising waters, but some owners have taken them much further afield.  In 1972, Clive O’Connor, his wife, two year old baby and their guitar sailed their Shark from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Melbourne, Australia.  They arrived in good form, still speaking to each other and their Shark, at last report, was still being used for research on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Randal Peart sailed his Shark from Windsor and then crossed over to England, cruised the French canals, and then sailed BACK across and cruised the Caribbean for a year.  He’s still alive and well and eccentric. If you’d like to correspond with him, he’d be happy to hear from you at: [email protected]

(Editor’s Note: The text of the above paragraph has been changed from the original, to reflect new information from Randal’s wife, Patricia, received on Sept 11, 2000)

On his return, he reported no structural damage and no bulkheads adrift, but he did ask for a new set of gudgeons to replace his worn ones.

More recently, Bob Lush added a foot to the stern of his Shark to bring it up to a minimum 25-foot size for the OSTAR single-handed transatlantic race.  His biggest problem crossing the Atlantic was getting stuck in the doldrums and listening to empty sails slap for too many mind-destroying days.

The Shark is a forgiving boat which makes it appealing to novices, but with 14 separate lines to tweak, it is as technical as any sailor could wish. An active class association defined the Shark’s measurements and specifications as early as 1966 and in 1984, the association adopted a more formal measurement form patterned after a number of international one-design classes.  The fact that all Sharks, both new and old have been built to these specifications has kept the racing fleet viable and maintained the market value of the boat.

The association is active at the international, national and regional levels giving Shark owners who are not part of a local fleet a point of contact and an active racing program.  In addition to regular club races, there are regional, provincial and national Shark Class regattas.  The highlight of each year is the Shark World Championship, a seven race series held for two consecutive years in North America and, in the third year, in Europe.

Host for the 1994 Shark Worlds, won by Don Ruddy in #268 Dartos, was the Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club, the club Hinterholler helped found.  Fifty-six Sharks competed in the 1994 event  The World Championship in 1995, won by John Clark/Don Ruddy was held in Freidrickshaven on Lake Constance.  Several Canadian Shark sailors competed in this event.

(Editors note:  The host for the World Championship in 1996, won by Jeff Mitchell in #336  Frankly Scarlet, was the Kingston Yacht Club and in 1997, won by Don Ruddy in #268 Dartos, was the Buffalo Canoe Club.  In 1998 the Championship, again won by Don Ruddy,  was sailed June 6 – 12, at the Yachtclub Breitenbrunn, Neusiedlersee, Burgenland, Austria.  The 1999 Championship was sailed at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club in Toronto, Canada and won by Sid Dakin in #1456 “Duck Soup”and the 2000 Championships at Parry Sound on Georgian Bay, in Ontario, was won by Don Ruddy in “Dartos “.  The 2001 Championship also won by Don Ruddy, was held at Yacht-Club Kreuzlingen in Switzerland and the 2002 Worlds is scheduled for Toronto,Ontario at the Mimico Cruising Club)

Class website http://shark24.org/

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Shark 24 sailboat racers are part of the largest one-design, keelboat fleet in Canada and are hopeful that as pandemic restrictions wane that they can gather and race in the world championships to be held this year in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Sailor Peter Van Rossem, who races with fellow Kingston Yacht Club member Matthew Fair and his son, James, is ranked No. 1 in Canada in the class and says he’s hopeful that they can hold the Worlds this year.

Racing was initially scheduled for August but was to be changed in the spring by race officials at the host club, Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club (NOLSC) to later in the season, in October, in hopes a delay will see a lifting of pandemic health restrictions.

“I’m optimistic but also realistic,” Van Rossem says about a possible lifting of restrictions on larger gatherings like a regatta, which is dependant on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout that began slow in the spring in Ontario.

“I think for the government to allow social gatherings we would need herd immunity,” where upwards of 70 per cent of the population gets the vaccine, he says. “The only thing going for us is the event (the Shark 24 Worlds) will be held in late October.”

Van Rossem has been on top of the fleet for a few years, and placed second in world championships that were held in Germany in October 2019, prior to the start of the pandemic. Most events for the class, like those in other fleets, were cancelled in 2020.

It was his last major race in the Shark 24 fleet before major regattas were cancelled, although some club racing went ahead later in 2020. The Shark 24 Worlds was set for Montreal last year but was cancelled because of the pandemic. The event is held in alternate years in Canada, the U.S. and in Europe.

The Shark North American championship is only held every third year, and only when the Worlds is held in Europe, with popular spots being Germany, the headquarters for a company that makes new Shark 24s, Austria and Switzerland.

Regatta organizers for this year’s Worlds at NOLSC had not posted a notice of race in the spring because officials are still trying to determine whether the event can be held this year because of the pandemic, says Van Rossem.

NOLSC organizers are monitoring local public health warnings to see if they can get the green light to go ahead with the regatta this year.

Sail Canada, the governing body for the sport in this country, sanctions events like world championships, and is involved in training some regatta officials like judges and umpires, but doesn’t grant permission for races, based on health restrictions during a pandemic. Neither does World Sailing, the world governing body for the sport.

Van Rossem says Shark 24 Worlds organizers are trying to get the fleet split in two to decrease the number of competitors who would come into contact with each other, as a way to get around government restrictions on larger group gatherings.

There are usually about 50 boats that show up to the Shark 24 Worlds, with up to nine major races held in Ontario and Quebec through the year. There are active fleets in various locations, including Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Whitby, Sarnia, Belleville, and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Rod Gardner, the regatta chairman at NOLSC and a Shark sailor, says they have been monitoring the Niagara health department’s colour-coded system on health restrictions to determine whether they can go ahead with racing. In March, things looked bleak.

The Niagara region was in a red zone, meaning that large gatherings at a regatta would not be allowed, he says. And even if the region moved into a less-restrictive Orange or even Green zone, they still couldn’t run the Worlds properly.

Gardner, who’s sons and step-daughter also race Sharks, says under a Green zone, only about 13 Shark three-member crews would be allowed to race because the rest of the gathering would consist of volunteers, judges, umpires and other race officials.

The last time NOLSC hosted the Shark 24 worlds was in 2009 and that event drew a whopping 72 boats, with Gardner saying more “fringe” racers like to show up in Niagara-on-the-Lake because it’s where the Shark 24 sailboat was first designed and built.

He’s expecting less boats this year, because of quarantine regulations and closed borders, but the event could still see upwards of 50 boats, provided the regatta is allowed.

The Shark was designed in 1959 by the late Canadian boat designer George Hinterhoeller (who would later merge with others to form the successful boat-building company C&C Yachts) in Niagara-on-the-Lake. He made the first Shark sailboat for himself, and then others wanted one of their own. A relative of the designer, Richard Hinterhoeller, is based out of NOLSC and races regularly in the fleet.

The 24 ft. three-crew sailboat has proven popular over the years because of its light weight and flatter hull aft that can lift the boat on a bow wave, allowing the boat to plane, making it faster than other sailboats of a similar size.

“Bang for your buck, it’s a great boat,” says Van Rossem, adding there are not many one-design fleets that can draw 50 sailboats to a start line, locally. Racing other popular boats, like the J24 or J70, means travelling to Annapolis, New York or Chicago for big events.

“The best thing about the Shark fleet is it’s an inexpensive boat,” he says. A good, used boat may cost $2,500, Van Rossem says. It’s easy to transport by trailer, with a three-foot fixed keel, and is appealing for youths graduating from racing a 420 or other dingy.

Cameron Smith, a racer based out of the Whitby Yacht Club (WYC), has helped to build the fleet there, which now numbers more than 20 crews. Three years ago, there were only about five Sharks at the club.

He used to race a Tripp 33 sailboat and a J22, but found that travel to and from major events often held in the southern U.S. became onerous. “You’ve got to book two days on the road there and back to do the regatta,” he says, while Shark 24 events are held within three- or four-hours of driving time, in cities from Montreal to Sarnia.

Smith appealed to WYC club officials and got a separate race night for Shark racers, a day earlier than the regular Wednesday night, and began posting about the fleet online. “One-design is great racing and handicap racing is a pain,” he notes.

“I convinced the club to do a separate race night. That’s what drives the fleet.”

He also encourages others at WYC to buy a Shark 24, and offers some used equipment at discounted pricing to fellow racers. He bought a half interest in his Shark 24 along with a racing friend in 2018 and by that summer the WYC fleet jumped from five boats to 12.

Smith says they are one of only a few WYC crews who travel to regular Shark events. He is planning to race at the Worlds to be held in Switzerland next spring.

A new set of sails for his Shark cost about $1,500 instead of about $8,000 for his Tripp 33 sailboat. He goes through a set of racing sails in one season, and uses them for a season of club racing before selling them for about $500 to a fellow local racer.

“This helps everyone out,” says Smith, who joined WYC in 2002 and pushed for the club to hold a major event like the Shark 24 Gold Club, which it did in 2019. That Shark race now alternates between WYC and National Yacht Club in Toronto.

“We wanted to do a regatta in Whitby. It helps drive the fleet, too.”

He says when he bought his Shark and joined the fleet he was impressed with the skill level of the racers. Some in Ontario have been racing their Sharks for decades. And the fleet has grown because of the reasonable costs for a boat, with a decent Shark costing about $5,000 in ready-to-go condition, Smith says.

New Sharks are no longer built in North America, and are now built in Poland, with the moulds owned by a German firm. A new yacht can costs upwards of 30,000 Euros. Masts and other rigging and supplies are available in Ontario.

“The Shark 24 is the largest one-design keelboat fleet in Canada and is the perfect choice for competitive sailors and cruisers alike,” says the association’s website.

“The Shark is fun, responsive and affordable. Shark sailors past and present are the heart and soul of most sailing clubs in Canada. The Shark makes high performance one-design sailing available to everyone.”

The racing boat is popular with youth graduating from the various Olympic dinghy classes, and the Canadian Shark Class offers to pay the entry fee for two “counter” or major regattas each season for boats with crew members under age 28.

“The Canadian Shark Class is a friendly community passionate about sailing, whether cruising or racing.” The boat can accommodate three for day sails or overnight cruising.

Many race the boat, and its appeal for boat owners is getting out to regattas, whether at the club or regional level. Keeners like to circle the Worlds on their calendars.

It usually takes many months to organize a top-flight regatta and, the more the pandemic stretches on, the less likely organizers can pull off an event and may be forced to cancel again, Van Rossem says.

Gardner confirmed that the NOLSC committee will probably decide in late March to postpone the decision on the regatta until early to mid-summer, which still gives them a few months and enough time to organize and host the visiting racers.

He says the regatta may be pared down a little because of the pandemic and time crunch for organizers, and things like boat measuring, which is time consuming, may be curtailed. All entries need a certificate which indicates boat weights, anyways.

“The fleet is pretty tight,” and the top contenders all know each other, which lessens the chance of someone trying to skirt the rules, Gardner says.

With the one-design, the Shark 24 must be raced with a minimum weight of 2,300 lbs, which includes sails and safety equipment, but not the crew or personal items.

“There is no way we could see hosting a regatta in August,” Gardner said in an interview with Ontario Sailor Magazine in mid-March. “That’s why we moved it to October.”

He said he’s been watching closely the loosening of some government restriction like the number of people who can attend an outdoor wedding or funeral, and says maybe there could be some exemption for sports like sailing, where isolation is assured on the water.

“I’m hoping that sports like sailing will get special guidelines but I don’t see that happening, to be honest with you.”

Gardner says his priority is keeping both visiting sailors and club members safe, and if the racing event proceeds they will have to follow all health protocols that are in place and required by local government officials.

It may mean limiting use of the ramp to one boat at a time, having a wrist-band policy for the use of portable toilets in different locations, and even holding an awards ceremony virtually, with competitors going online from hotel rooms to take part in celebrations.

“A big part of sailing is always planning for hospitality and the social side” and those plans may change, too, says Gardner, who grew up racing a Mirror dinghy and joined NOLSC in 2009 after moving back to Canada from Australia, where he was working.

Because of uncertainly surrounding the race ahead of time, Gardner says he reticent to spend money too far in advance on souvenir t-shirts, trophies or entertainment, and pay for these at the last moment. He could even mail trophies to winners after the race.

“With the current (health) guidelines, I don’t think we will be able to play,” he said in March of the Worlds. “I don’t see a declaration that the pandemic is over until 2022.”

The Shark 24 fleet has been growing in Ontario and people are “dragging old Sharks out of the woods and rebuilding them,” says Gardner. “The Shark is currently the hottest selling boat in Ontario.” Even boats in disrepair are scooped up fast.

Van Rossem says he missed racing the Shark 24 during lockdowns in 2020 and hopes racing comes back in 2021. He picked up a Finn sailboat, a 14.9 ft. cat-rigged, single-handed, Olympic-class sailboat, and “self-isolated” for much of 2020 learning the boat.

Prior to the pandemic, he attended two Finn races in the U.S. in 2019, and came second in the 14-boat fleet in one of the regattas. He joked that the Finn sailors gave his a free ride so that he would go out and buy one of the sailboats, which he did.

Van Rossem, who also races DN ice boats during the winter months, attended one other Shark 24 Worlds regatta in Europe, but wasn’t helming and was added as a last-minute as a crew member. But he was hooked on Shark 24 sailboats well before that race.

And now he wants to defend his win at the 2019 Shark North American championships, held at the Pointe-Claire Yacht Club in Quebec.

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Engineering:Shark 24

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The Shark 24 is a Canada -designed 24 ft sailing yacht which has earned itself a reputation of extraordinary reliability and longevity among sailors both in North America and Central Europe . Having been designed by George Hinterhoeller back in 1959 to cope well even with the harshest conditions found in the Great Lakes region, the vessel has proven to be well suited for extended leisure trips as well as for tough racing. [1]

The Shark 24 was awarded International status by World Sailing in 2000. [2]

• 3.1 World Championship
• 5 References
• 6 External links

George Hinterhoeller grew up in Austria where he sailed the light displacement fin keel sailboats that were common there. By 1959 he had emigrated to Canada and was working for a boat builder in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Hinterhoeller decided to design and build a sailboat for himself that was similar to what he had sailed in his youth in Austria. The result was a 22 ft (6.7 m) plywood boat he named Teeter Totter . Other sailors saw the resulting boat, and how fast it sailed compared to the heavy displacement boats common on the Great Lakes at the time and asked Hinterhoeller to build similar boats for them. Hinterhoeller modified the design, stretching it out to 24 ft (7.3 m) and started production of what he then called the Shark . The customer who commissioned the fifth hull requested it be built in fibreglass and offered to help Hinterhoeller build it using this new material. The resulting boat was a success and all subsequent Shark produced were built in fibreglass as this resulted in a lighter boat that took far less time to build so was less expensive and required much less ongoing maintenance. [1] [3]

The shark is a light displacement cruising and racing sailboat. It has a 7/8 fractional sloop rig, a small cabin and a self-bailing cockpit. The iron fin keel, combined with a transom hung spade rudder, and a flat run aft allows the hull to ride up on its bow wave and plane under the right conditions, giving the Shark more speed than a displacement hull of the same waterline length. It had a displacement-length ratio of 123, extraordinarily low for its time. [3] [4] [5]

The Shark has a V-berth, two quarter berths, and a small galley with sink, stove and icebox. It has sitting headroom under the small deckhouse. [3]

World Championship

A World Championship Regatta for the Shark 24 class has been continuously contested for over 50 years. The regatta follows a three-year rotation where for two consecutive years the regatta is hosted by the Canadian Shark Class Association in Canada, and the third year it is held in Europe in Austria, Germany, or Switzerland. [6]

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• ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The Shark" . http://www.shark24.org/the-shark-24.html .  
• ↑ "World Sailing - Shark 24" . http://www.sailing.org/classesandequipment/SHK.php .  
• ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Shark" . Canadian Yachting . http://www.canadianyachting.ca/boat-reviews/one-design/1972-shark-boat-review-sail .  
• ↑ "George Hinterhoeller" . https://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/26_1/editorial/3992-1.html .  
• ↑ "Royal Canadian Yacht Club Models - Panel 11, Shark 1960" . https://rcyc.ca/Doc-Types/RCYCModels/rcycmodels_p11.aspx .  
• ↑ "Shark 24 Racing" . http://www.shark24.ca/racing .  

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ONE DESIGN // SHARK 24

When the one designs come down to one, it's Doyle. The big difference in one design.

Doyle Raudaschl has been developing Shark 24 sails together with the top sailors of the class for years. In addition to our top domestic sailors around Ernst Felsecker “Flossi” and Michael Scharper, Bodo Günther and Horst Rudorffer advise us on sail design.

Get in touch with an expert below or contact your local loft here

MEET THE TEAM

Florian Raudaschl Doyle Austria +43 6138 2333 [email protected]

DR 16 mainsail Application: all-round sail Wind range: 5 to 30 knots The sail is made of Contender Polykote Regattadacron and cut horizontally. We can add a row of reefs on request. Class symbols, sail numbers, sail windows, trim strips, Woolies, battens and sail bag are included in the price.

DR 17 Genoa 180% Application: light and medium wind Wind range: 5 to 20 knots The sail is made of Contender Polykote Regattadacron and cut radially. Soft hanks on the luff, trim strips, Woolies, sail numbers, sail window and sail carrier bag are included in the price.

DR 17 Genoa 150% and 120% Area of ​​application: medium and strong winds Wind range: 15 to 30 knots The sail is made of Dimension Polyant SQ Dacron MTO cloth and cut radially. Soft hanks on the luff, trim strips, Woolies, sail numbers, sail window and sail carrier bag are included in the price.

DR 20 jib 105% Application: strong wind Wind range: 18 to 30 knots The sail is made of Dimension Polyant SQ Dacron MTO cloth and cut radially. Soft hanks on the luff, trim strips, Woolies, battens, sail window and sail bag are included in the price.

DR 20 spinnaker Area of ​​use: all-round Wind range: 5 to 30 knots The sail is made of Contender Superlite 50 spinnaker cloth and cut horizontally / sheet radially. Sail numbers, individual color selection and sail carrier bag are included in the price.

• Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - Niagara Now

• August 17, 2023

Richard Hinterhoeller was only four years old when his father designed the Shark 24 sailboat.

Sixty-four years later, it has gone on to become a favourite of many across North America and is set to be the star of a sailboat racing championship starting this Friday in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Hinterhoeller said his late father, George Hinterhoeller, created the 24-foot sailboat in 1959, here in NOTL, to serve as a family-friendly means of sailing the water.

“He moved to Canada in the mid-1950s and he’d built himself a Lightning class boat,” he said.

The Lightning class sailboat is a 19-foot racing sailboat first built in 1938 and used all over the world.

However, when his dad took his older sister out onto Lake Ontario one day in the Lightning, and as he looked out at the water – with no shoreline in sight – he realized something.

“He said, ‘This lake is too big to take a family sailing in a boat that could capsize,’” Hinterhoeller said.

So, in 1959, Hinterhoeller’s father built a boat that was safe for the family and performed well on the water.

“The result of that was the Shark,” he said. 

Hinterhoeller will be the race director at this year’s World Shark Championship being held at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club from Aug. 18 to 25.

More than 150 contestants from around the globe will be in NOTL for the competition, racing a boat that his father created.

“I’m just dazzled by the fact that he came up with something that is this popular,” he said.

The younger Hinterhoeller grew up in Niagara-on-the-Lake and is now retired in Mississauga. 

“I identify as being from around Niagara-on-the-Lake — always have always will,” he said. 

He still has his foot in the sailing world and volunteers with World Sailing and other international committees. 

“This is the home of the Shark: this is where it all started,” he said, referring to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

“To be a part of it is always wonderful,” he added. 

The Shark boats are still being built in Europe in small numbers, he said, adding that a few years ago his mother received a royalty check.

“My one niece says, ‘Boy, our grandfather sure set a pretty high standard for all of us, didn’t he?'” he said.

George Hinterhoeller would be “tickled” to see how popular the boat still is over 60 years later, his son added.

“His grandchildren’s generation is now buying these boats and fixing them up and then racing them competitively,” he said.

Hinterhoeller’s sailboat from 1982 will be out on the water during next week’s competition — but he won’t be behind the helm.

“I’m lending it to one of the European sailors who’s coming over,” he said.

He’ll be out on the water with his daughter, Madeleine, who will be one of the recorders.

One of the recorders’ jobs is to record the order in which the boats finish. 

“It sounds simple until you have 20 boats crossing the line in 14 seconds,” he said. 

He’s excited about the competition and looks forward to seeing the boats out on the water — and hopes for some good wind. 

“The Sharks are quite an impressive boat when the wind kicks up,” he said.

His father’s sailing partner always had three pieces of advice for sailors.

“His advice was to start first, sail fast and head in the right direction,” he said.

“I will add one — have fun.”

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Best Bluewater Sailboats Under 24 Feet

Last Updated by

Jacob Collier

December 28, 2023

Looking for a sailboat but don't want to bear the high costs? The best bluewater sailboats under 24 feet are trailerable and require low maintenance.

Many sailing enthusiasts cannot afford a large boat due to the docking fee and maintenance costs. Fortunately, bluewater sailboats under 24 feet, also known as pocket sailboats, are affordable small yachts that are trailerable to your choice of destination, so you don't have to bear the unnecessary docking fee.

The best bluewater sailboats under 24 feet are the Pacific Seacraft Dana 24, Norseboat 21.5, Catalina 22 Sport, Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20, and West Wight Potter 19. These sailboats have ample space for a couple and even a moderately-sized family along with all the amenities you may need.

A roomy cabin, galley, and settees are necessary to go cruising in the bluewater. However, sailboats are a cheaper and more convenient way to enjoy the shallow waters as all you require for sailing is a hull, rudder, mast, and sail. The sailboats on this list make your sailing experience even better with accommodations such as bedding.

We are a bunch of sailing enthusiasts and spend most of our weekends trailing our pocket sailboats, traveling to various offshore destinations. With years of knowledge, we have drafted a list of the best bluewater sailboats under 24 feet and discussed them in detail, so you can make an informed decision before buying your sailboat.

Table of contents

‍ Our Top Picks

West wight potter 19.

{{boat-info="/boats/west-wight-potter-19"}}

The West Wight Potter 19 is one of the most popular sailboats and has been at the top for over three decades. This sailboat is manufactured in California by International Marine, known for making reliable and robust sailboats.

Over the years, the West Wight 19 has seen significant changes in its design, making the boat easy to sail and increasing the storage space while keeping the design compact and available.

The 19-footer is the smallest sailboat on this list, but it doesn’t keep the boat from offering accommodations to make your experience comfortable.

Small sailboats are more about sailing instead of cruising with luxury. However, the Potter 19 offers several luxurious amenities.

The four berths allow you to camp in for a couple of days instead of spending only a day out on the water. Each berth is around six and a half feet long, with two settees and a v-berth.

The storage space under each berth and the ample walking space in between provide enough room for a small family to spend quality time. A small sink, stove, and mobile head increase the boat's functionality and ease the voyage.

The West Wight Potter 19 is far from disappointing when it comes to its sailing chops. Due to its lightweight build, you don't need a powerful truck to trail this sailboat to your preferred destination.

The hull and deck are fiberglass, which keeps the boat steady against rough water. A high freeboard keeps the cockpit and the deck dry.

The West White Potter 19's design is ideal for lake, river, and coastal sailing. However, this boat is up for the challenges as an individual has sailed from California to Hawaii, making history for the Potter 19.

You can buy West White Potter 19 from  Sailboat Listings  for $6,900.

Specifications

• Hull Type: Lifting keel
• LOA: 18.9 ft.
• LWL: 16.9 ft.
• Beam: 7.5 ft.
• Displacement: 1225 lbs.
• Ballast: 370 lbs.
• Sail Area: 115 sq. ft.
• First built: 1979
• Developer: International Marine (USA)
• Designer: Herb Stewart

Catalina 22 Sport

{{boat-info="/boats/catalina-22-sport"}}

The Catalina 22 Sport has quickly become a hot cake sailboat since the Sport version of the 22 feet hull was recently released. A retractable lead keel in the upgraded version makes it easier to haul the boat.

Other than that, the vinyl seating, a chrome fence, and a more dynamic frame give the boat a sporty yet exclusive look, putting it above its close competitors. That is why the Catalina 22 Sport has become a common sight at harbors across the state.

The update maintains the superior quality of the original Catalina yacht with a robust built, easy and comfortable sailing, and several accommodation features. The hull is made from hand-laid fiberglass bonded with a hull liner.

Beautiful single-piece fiberglass makes the deck a sight for sore eyes. It is treated with non-slippery material to keep the passengers safe from injuries.

A complete standing rig with an upgraded stern rail with controls keeps the boat sailing steadily. But the absolute joy of sailing this beautiful sailboat lies in an exclusive cockpit design. Raised contoured coamings keep the cockpit high and dry.

This boat is not just all about the looks and easy sailing. As mentioned earlier, it also has a roomy cabin with accommodations that can allow you to spend a couple of days on the boat. Two full-length berths measuring over six and a half feet are comfortable for full-grown people to sleep peacefully.

The V berth makes a bed for two where children can rest. Even though the Catalina 22 sport has enough space for a family of four to walk around without stepping on each other's toes, it is ideal for a couple to get away for a refreshing couple of days.

The best thing about Catalina releasing a newer model is that it boasts a 12 Volt electrical panel. You can keep electrical appliances working for a comfortable sailing experience.

Besides that, Catalina offers several optional features to enhance your experience on the 22-footer. These include a mast carrier at the front and rear, fabric cushion upgrade, headsail furling gear, and more.

Since the Catalina 22 Sport is made on order, you can contact dealers from  YachtWorld  to get the price of this boat.

• Hull Type: Fin w/spade rudder
• LOA: 23.62 ft.
• LWL: 19.32 ft.
• Beam: 8.67 ft.
• Displacement: 2,380 lbs.
• Ballast: 550 lbs.
• Sail Area: 110 sq. ft.
• First built: 2004
• Last built: -
• Developer: Catalina Yachts
• Designer: Gary Douglas

Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20

{{boat-info="/boats/pacific-seacraft-flicka-20"}}

The Pacific Seacraft Flicka is the most convenient and trailerable sailboat on our list, with an overall length of 20 feet. If you like a minimalist lifestyle and want the same in your bluewater pocket sailboat, this one's for you.

A functional galley with a sink and a counter and a small sink, toilet, and shower provides you with the basic amenities you and a couple of your friends and family need for a few days offshore.

There's more to the accommodation you can expect from this 20-footer sailboat. This boat has four berths, including a v-berth, so sleeping comfortably or stretching your legs occasionally is not an issue. A pop-up dining table and a chart table within the cabin make eating and other activities doable.

Nevertheless, most people underestimate the Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20’s ability to handle offshore rigidity, and they are often surprised at what this boat has to offer. A full-ballast keel, hull shape, manageable rig, and a self-draining cockpit ensure satisfactory offshore performance by the littlest contender.

Moreover, we find its outstanding standing headspace one of the boat's best features. Unlike other pocket sailboats, the Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 has a six ft. headspace. You don't have to duck every time to save your head from banging against the roof.

The Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20's size and its minimalistic yet fulfilling features are why this boat is in high demand. With only 400 of them ever made, you will have to dig deeper and longer to find one worth buying. Due to this, the price of this boat is also slightly higher.

You can buy the Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 from  YachtWorld  for $29,900.

• Hull Type: Long keel
• LOA: 24 ft.
• LWL: 18.75 ft.
• Beam: 8 ft.
• Displacement: 6,000 lbs.
• Ballast: 1,750 lbs.
• Sail Area: 261.89 sq. ft.
• Fuel: 12 gallons
• Fresh Water: 20 gallons
• Engine: Yanmar
• First built: 1974
• Last built: 1994
• Developer: Pacific Seacraft
• Designer: Bruce Bingham

Pacific Seacraft Dana 24

{{boat-info="/boats/pacific-seacraft-dana-24"}}

The Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 is the best overall sailboat on our list. This one is the larger of the two Pacific Seacraft sailboats mentioned. It has an overall length of 24 feet but provides you with loads of amenities.

According to the features listed, the boat might seem insufficient for an overnight sail on the water. Once you are on the boat, it won't occur to you that you are on a sailboat that is just 24 feet long.

While only four feet longer than the Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20, it adds enough space to make the cabin roomier and another berth for one more person. Not only that, the extra length provides more space to the galley.

You have increased movement and work it better. However, the length still keeps the sailboat maintaining the qualities of a smaller sailboat, allowing you easy maintenance and mobility.

Despite being larger, Pacific Seacraft Dana 20 is faster than the smaller one. As surprising as it may sound, this is because this boat's engine is more powerful and helps the hull sail faster. A high bow flare and freeboard ensure the deck remains dry unless high tides take charge.

It is ideal for a pair, especially couples who do not look for much except spending quality days offshore with the basic amenities on hand.

The Dana 24 were sold as kits and bare hulls. No one knows how many of these sailboats exist and how many of those are factory assembled. Due to this, you might also find slight differences in the build from unit to unit.

You can get the Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 from  YachtWorld  for $49,000.

• LOA: 27.25 ft.
• LWL: 21.42 ft.
• Beam: 8.85 ft.
• Displacement: 8,000 lbs.
• Ballast: 3,200 lbs.
• Sail Area: 361.22 sq. ft.
• Fuel: 18 gallons
• Fresh Water 40 gallons
• First built: 1948
• Last built: 2007
• Designer: W.I.B Crealock

Norseboat 21.5

{{boat-info="/boats/norseboat-21-5"}}

Do you prefer an open sailboat with a rugged design to keep your sailing experience raw? Get your hands on the Open Cockpit Norseboat 21.5. This boat has no cabin.

Simple sailboat design with settees on the side and enough storage room for a couple of passengers to enjoy a voyage across the lake or cruise near the coast.

But that's not all. The Norseboat 21.5 also comes in a cabin design that offers enhanced comfort. Whichever version you prefer, this boat offers a rugged design with carbon-fiber material instead of fiberglass, making it stronger than most sailboats.

However, you will have to compromise on the beauty part. Still, the boat provides a steady sailing experience with all the necessities you might require.

The Norseboat 21.5 sits lower near the water, and with a simple handling sloop rig and fully battened mainsail, it sails light and quick against the light wind. The boat is highly responsive to the tiller, requiring minimum effort from you to put it in the right direction.

Both versions of Norseboat 21.5 are lightweight, making them easy to haul and trail. You won't need a large truck to trail this boat to your favorite spot.

A mid-sized vehicle will do the job. On the other hand, their build maintains a strong presence uplifting their seaworthiness while a foil-shaped stub keel maintains stability.

You can buy the Norseboat 21.5 directly from  Norseboat .

• LOA: 21.8 ft.
• LWL: 19 ft.
• Beam: 7.1 ft.
• Displacement: 1,750 lbs.
• Ballast: 275 lbs.
• Sail Area: 197.2 sq. ft.
• Developer: NorseBoat Limited (CAN)
• Designer: Kevin Jeffrey/Mark Fitzgerald

Easy handling, low cost of maintenance, minimalistic designs, basic amenities, all while going offshore — these are the main selling points of pocket sailboats. All the boats mentioned above will serve you well if you are looking for the best bluewater pocket sailboats. Choose wisely!

Related Articles

Best Bluewater Pocket Sailboats

Best Bluewater Sailboats Under $100k

Born into a family of sailing enthusiasts, words like “ballast” and “jibing” were often a part of dinner conversations. These days Jacob sails a Hallberg-Rassy 44, having covered almost 6000 NM. While he’s made several voyages, his favorite one is the trip from California to Hawaii as it was his first fully independent voyage.

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Best cruising boat (24 feet or less)

• Add to quote

My husband and I have some sailing experience. We sailed J-27s several years back when we belonged to a yacht club. Here we are five years later with two small children. We just got a slip on a small lake. Boats must be 24 feet or less. We are looking with something that could sleep two people in case we want to do some weekend coastal cruising. Any recommendations as to the best sailboat manufacturers for boats about 24 feet? Thanks!!!  

If you are on a lake you should probably focus on boats that offer reasonably good light air performance. You haven''t stipulated a budget or how you will use the boat besides needing to "sleep two people in case we want to do some weekend coastal cruising". If the boat is mainly a daysailor, a couple quick thoughts might be a Oday 22/23,Tanzer 22, Ranger 23, Beneteau First 235, Pearson 23 (catboat), J-24, C&C 24, Farr 727, Cal 25, Catalina 25, and Oday 25. Of that list, I would lean towards either the Ranger 23 or the Beneteau 235 with young children. You can''t teach them to love sailing too young. If you wanted to do a little racing or cared more about performance I would look for a J-24 or Farr 727. Good hunting, Jeff  

The O''DAy 22 or the fractionally rigged O''Day 222, however 22 seems a bit small for 4 people. ( I have an O''Day 22 and it is small for two of us for more than 2 days.) If you are planning on doing ANY overnights I would definately look closer to that 24ft.length. The O''Day 23 gives you a bit more room than either the 22 or the 222, O''day 25 (centerboard, if it is shallow), Catalina 25 (I prefer the fixed keel over the swing keel versoin), Seaward 24, Morgan 24, how about the corsair F-24 tri-maran?? Just some thoughts....good luck  

J-24 is an obvious choice if you want to lean more toward the performance end. I would also take a look at the C&C 24/25; a well built boat with a good turn of speed. Perhaps the J-22 would also meet your needs. I guess you could use a boom tent and convert its large cockpit into an area to sleep 2. It has a very small cabin.  

CNJ: As you can see, there are lots of choices. And Jeff''s point about light winds could be expanded on just a bit; when we lake sailed, I''d describe the typical wind pattern as ''light and shifty'' due to the topography that most lakes present...at least, until a summer thunderstorm ripped through.<g> Given you''re looking at a small, inexpensive boat, it might make little economic sense to search out the ''best'' choice and then face a significant transport cost. Instead, I''d talk with a few local brokers (it there are any in your area, there weren''t where we lake sailed - all powerboat brokers), marina owners and club members near you in order to learn which brands are popular near your lake. This will help keep the purchase price reasonable while allowing you local shopping, and make resale easier, as well. Then shop that shorter list of brands to see what the crew think. And if shopping that subset of brands back here and to other BBs, be sure to tell us a bit more about where you''ll be sailing. You could be up on frigid Donner Lake in the Sierras, one of the huge manmade lakes in the South, or perhaps in dessert country out west, and be part of an active club, racing fleet...or just doing this on your own. Location and use could shape your criteria, significantly. Good luck to all four of you! Jack  

C@c Or Mirage 24 I'm a little biased as an owner of a C@C 24 but either that or a Mirage 24 is the best all around boat of that size for the money. They are quick well outfitted strong hulls and rigging, good ratings for racing and there are plenty around at a good price. I got my 1983 for $2,200 U.S. with a new main, a roller furled mylar genoa and add a 8 H.P. yamaha outboard for $650.00 and I was ready to go for under $3,000. It all depends what you are looking for. Good Luck!  

ahab211, sounds like you got a nice deal on a nice boat with some nice add ons. just be prepared for others to chew you out a little for reviving a four year old thread because i dont chew anyone out. welcome to the forum. lots of good info and people. have fun, explore and enjoy!  

San Juan 24 we spend atleast 2 weeks a year crusing 2 adults 1 kid 1 dog its tight but fun and still a fast and fun boat to sail  

I would look at what everyone else in the club has. If there are a lot of Sharks I would get a Shark just for the class racing. If the club had Moores, J24's or whatever, ditto. I think that being able to do beer can races without worrying about handicaps is a great thing. Two people can weekend coastal cruise in just about anything. Gaz Racing a Shark amongst Sharks and loving it.  

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The First 24 SE is a  modern high-tech sport cruiser , capable of delivering thrilling performance in a versatile package that is easy to use and maintain. She is of course  trailerable , and her smart mast-raising system allows a single user to launch and go, giving you access to a wide variety of cruising and racing grounds, from international  one-design regattas  to coastal adventure races. And at the end of the day, she will welcome you with a simple but smart interior, offering all basic cruising amenities for four people. No matter the mode, she is a  true sailing sensation .

NAVAL ARCHITECT : Manuard YD INTERIOR DESIGN : Sito Concept & R&D: Seascape

WHY FIRST 24 SE ?

PERFORMANCE

Ultimate performance & high-tech building technology deliver the promised performance of the Seascape Edition: a very light, modern vacuum-infused vinyl-ester hull, composite-build swinging keel with lead bulb, carbon-fiber rig, and extensive sail area.

EASY TO USE

Well-thought-out cockpit ergonomics, minimized controls, a carbon mast without a backstay, a light but precise steering system, and a stable hull significantly simplify boat handling, whether solo, double-handed or fully crewed. 

The First 24 SE is insubmersible thanks to her unsinkable chambers, a swinging keel system which will protect the structure in case of grounding, and twin rudders that always ensure complete control. Expanding your comfort zone has never been safer!

Whether you prefer classical windward-leeward races or exploring new shores through single or double-handed adventures, you'll always enjoy the company of the growing worldwide owners' community.

A light structure and a swinging keel system enable easy road transportation. Handling of the light carbon mast is easy, and her provisional mast crane does not limit you to on-land facilities. She allows a user to simply launch and go.

SAILING EXPERIENCE

The First 24 SE is a true pocket rocket, defined by the design team's racing background. An incredible sail area to displacement ratio ensures fast sailing in both strong and light wind conditions. Downwind planing in stronger breezes is a blast and a pure joy because of the stable hull, and the deep, ballasted keel and twin rudders, which give you complete control.  The First 24 SE is enjoyable in lighter conditions too, as she reacts to the slightest wind gusts and can easily match wind-speeds. Spacious, open and carefully thought-out cockpit ergonomics work in solo, double-handed or fully-crewed setups and guarantee easy handling and comfortable sailing, no matter if you're on a relaxed afternoon sail or racing in one-design regattas.

LIVING ONBOARD

The First 24 SE interior is minimalistic and very weight-sensitive, but in addition to her performance, she still provides all key amenities you can expect on a modern 24ft high-performance racer. The large open-space salon can easily sleep up to 4 adults, two on the V-berth and two on the extendable side beds. Her removable crew bags house personal belongings, and can be stored under the benches. Her indoor/outdoor table can be used in the salon or cockpit, and there is even a dedicated place for a chemical toilet. For technical storage, there is a large-volume capacity under the cockpit area, accessible from the exterior. All interior components function as parts of the boat structure. Furthermore, the First 24 SE is highly modular, so one can easily reduce additional weight for racing. 

Joining the One Design Class gives you access to the largest recreational community of like-minded sailors. It enables you to test your skills on the racecourse and enjoy good company ashore.

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The information below is intended for general informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice and does not constitute a contractual agreement. Any descriptions, representations, or statements made in this document are not to be considered binding unless explicitly stated otherwise in a formal contractual agreement.

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Disturbing footage shows the moment a single orca chased down a great white shark and killed it, then swam away with the shark's liver in its jaws.

New footage captures a lone orca killing and eating a great white shark in just 2 minutes, revealing they do not need to hunt in packs to take down one of the ocean's most formidable predators.

In the video, the shark desperately attempts to flee as the orca follows close behind, before disappearing beneath the surface. Shortly after, the orca is seen swimming away carrying a liver in its jaws. 

In a study published March 1 in the African Journal of Marine Science , scientists confirmed this case was the first ever record of a lone orca (Orcinus orca) hunting and consuming a great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) without the help of its podmates. 

The incident took place in June 2023 when researchers on a tourist boat saw two orcas — known as Port and Starboard because of their collapsed dorsal fins — south of Seal Island, South Africa. The two orcas already have a reputation for attacking great whites and feasting on their nutrient-rich livers — a new behavior that has led great whites to abandon a popular hunting ground .

After approaching the orcas, the researchers noticed an oily substance floating on the surface, birds diving into the water and "the distinct smell of shark liver," according to the study. The researchers speculated that the pair of orcas may have already killed a shark before the boat arrived.

"Once you've smelled it, you'd recognize it again," lead author Alison Towner , a marine biologist at Rhodes University, told Live Science in an email. She explained that shark liver smells rich, fatty and not altogether unpleasant, but very hard to describe. 

Nearly an hour later, the boat saw an 8-foot-long (2.5 meters) juvenile white shark at the surface with Starboard chasing behind. "The killer whale pushed the shark forward by its pectoral fin while it thrashed on the surface," Towner said. 

By grabbing the shark's pectoral fin and shaking it, Starboard tore the shark open in precisely the right spot to remove its liver. 

Related: Great white shark ripped in 2 was 'loaded' with orca DNA, scientists say

A few minutes later, a shark cage diving boat that happened to be nearby saw Starboard swim past "with a bloody piece of peach-coloured liver in its mouth," according to the study. Port stayed around 330 feet (100 m) away throughout and was not involved in the predation.

"The moment Starboard rapidly preyed on my favorite shark species was both devastating and intensely powerful," Esther Jacobs, the founder of shark conservation initiative Keep Fin Alive, who saw the attack, said in a statement .

Although the onlookers didn't see the moment Starboard removed the shark's liver, as this happened underwater, Towner believes the shark would've been killed instantly. 

The exact mechanism of how orcas shaking a shark can tear it open is still unclear, but more clues arrived the next day when the carcass of a different great white shark — this one measuring 11.5 feet (3.5 m) — washed up nearby. "The interesting stretch marks on its flank may suggest torsion induced by thrashing," Towner said. 

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Orcas target sharks' fatty livers because of their high nutritional value. "Shark livers are packed with rich, oily lipids , making up to one third of their body mass in some species," Towner said. 

Sometimes known as the wolves of the sea , orcas have strong social bonds and usually hunt in groups. While they have been known to hunt other species alone — including seals , porpoises , and penguins — this is the first record of a single orca killing a great white. In previous accounts, attacks have involved between two and six orcas. 

This finding may have important conservation implications. "Altering the top predator balance has cascading impacts," Towner said. "With most sharks already facing various man-made pressures, orca predation adds further strain and could be a tipping point in some regions for some species."

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Melissa Hobson is a freelance writer who specializes in marine science, conservation and sustainability, and particularly loves writing about the bizarre behaviors of marine creatures. Melissa has worked for several marine conservation organizations where she soaked up their knowledge and passion for protecting the ocean. A certified Rescue Diver, she gets her scuba fix wherever possible but is too much of a wimp to dive in the UK these days so tends to stick to tropical waters. Her writing has also appeared in National Geographic, the Guardian, the Sunday Times, New Scientist, VICE and more.

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