Our new boat Diversité has been esteemed as a fine, seaworthy replica of the Bantry Bay gig, which was first built by the French in Brest over 200 years ago as admiral's barge. The Bantry Bay gig can be propelled by oars or sail and has pulling thwarts for ten of its normal full crew of 13. Its three masts and two dipping lug sails and a mizzen sprit rig allow the vessel to be rigged and de-rigge
d under way. The dipping lug rig means that the yards must be lowered and dipped to the other side when tacking, an evolution that requires considerable teamwork and training. The halyard is then secured to the weather rail to act as a shroud but it is never cleated. Instead, it is dory-hitched with a bight held taut by a crew member. The sheets of the loose-footed sails are always in hand, ready to be eased in a gust. The 38-foot hull has fine lines and is claimed to be capable of six knots under oars in calm water and 10 knots under sail. During the building of Diversité the youth trainees and their adult mentors brought forth care, diligence and dedication with every person exerting themselves with pride and pleasure, striving to offer their best work and their best spirits. Throughout this process and before, Peter Code has remained a true source of inspiration and leadership. Peter has been teaching boat building in the Toronto area for over 14 years but his expertise is but one contribution. As a former member of the Canadian Rowing Team, Peter possesses an understanding of high performance athletics—its values its meaning, its commitment — which always resonates with the team.
