18ft - Madness | The Ultimate Boat in the Ultimate Location

Hartas Productions is proud to present our biggest project yet. A short documentary on the International 18ft Skiff sailing regatta that takes place in Lake Garda each year.
Hosted by Circolo Vela Arco, this event is the crucible from which many 18ft Skiff legends emerge.
Winner of Best Short Film and also Best Sports Film in the Flicks Film Festival.
Official Selection for Lift-Off Sessions 2019.
If you enjoy this film, please follow this link and know that your support is greatly appreciated: / hartasproductions

[@robhead9162]

What a fabulous video, the ultimate sailing machine in my opinion and I pray they never stick foils on them, as one of the comments made to that downhill run with the big kite on and bouncing along with the boat airborne half the time, exciting to say the least. At 81 now, I look back on my sailing in 12ft skiffs in NZ with nostalgia, and although having sailed keelboats and multihull over the years I still gravitate to the 18 footers (although never having sailed in one) and now living in the UK the highlight of my year is the 18ft series of racing on Sydney Harbour, especially the JJ’s, I sit on my couch and race with them every minute of each race, never getting wet of course, what better way to spend a few hours. Thanks once again for bringing joy to an old heart.

[@HartasProductionsOfficial]

It is comments like yours Rob, that keep people like me motivated! It makes me so happy to see that I can reach out and bring this amazing sport to people in new and meaningful ways and thst it has such an effect on you. I hope that the 18ft Skiffs can be assured that they know where their number 1 fan is! All the best mate

[@Epiphany-818]

I think this is one of the few high performance classes That will never get foils for the simple reason that it would literally kill people

[@chrisallum9044]

foils only function up to about 60 knots. Max.

[@thomaselliott573]

Leave that shit for the wealthy glam boys who fucked up the America's Cup

[@foxamongdeli6745]

An absolutely incredible video showcasing an incredible boat! As a young person, just entering the skiff world in a 29er, this is what I aspire to. Not olympics, not foiling but community and teamwork in the fastest monohulls ever. Watching the hull skim across the waves downwind with the kite up is truly awe inspiring. This is the future!!! Absolutely epic!!!

[@HartasProductionsOfficial]

Thank you so much for your kind comment! Welcome to the world of skiff sailing! You will have a load of fun and everyone is super friendly! All the best mate!

[@johnlindatube]

This is how you film sailing.........THANK YOU!!!!

[@lindajgray8276]

18ft Sailing Superbly filmed! ❤🎉🙏thanks for sharing this! 🙏 I remember (1978-81) how thrilling, exhilarating and sometimes terrifying a ride on the wire can be! What a rush! And to think that all this FUN started on Sydney Harbour when Julian Bethwaite designed and built the golden yellow, Bradmill Stubbies 18 footer! How iconically Aussie! 🇦🇺👍🎉 With an open transom, a first (I believe) for this skiff class and an over-rotation wing mast it all emerged from late night dreams, heated design debates and a tiresome creative process of hand building the skiff, with restarts and makeovers and re-dos at a time of fierce competition amongst sailors and designers. I’d sailed as a kid on Sydney Harbour in Sabot, Laser and Tasers usually just as ballast, bailer or sheethand crew🤣 it was a world of fun but the way onto the water was paid for by long hours of sanding and varnishing the old plywood Sabot, learning to tie knots, mend sails, work with wire rigging and polish SS fittings 🤪👍absolutely worth it! Much later my nights were spent doing graphic arts and I’d just completed a lettering/ sign writing module when I was invited by JB to try my hand with the sail and name logo, Bradmill Stubbies. So does anyone remember the old thick Sticky Back vinyl, it was yuck to work into curves! At this stage I was drowning under templates and discarded attempts as the SB was so thick and using it on both sides, was bound to cause distortions of the sail. These giant templates were in parts a meter wide and difficult to manage alone. The hardest thing was getting the placement of the big ‘B’ right so that when the sail filled out into a curve the ‘B’ would stand up straight 🤪😅 The pressure was on now with the hull completed to get mast, rigging, the sails and spinnaker sorted to clinch the company sponsorship deal. The company had asked for Bradmill but I took a risk out of frustration and a joint decision was made to do the giant ‘B’ shapes and use Stubbies 😊😅 Well I was very pleased with my input and effort as when fully rigged on the water what an impact her sail made! Even if one ‘B’ was technically backwards! EVERYONE knew it was the Bradmill logo! And Stubbies could be read from any angle! No shadows of lettering on opposite sides of the sail made their logo more legible and impactful out on the harbour! It’s placement almost perfect 😂 With a small tight knit team of fellow sailors we did the hull signage amidst challenges to boat length measurements and rules changing in dynamic times. All of which, after the heavy wooden 18footers with up to 15 crewmen of the last century, really opened up boat designers to incorporating new boat building materials and equipment mechanisation, we now take for granted. As with any new boat venture, once christened in Sydney Harbour with a big sponsor Bradmill’s big ‘B’ took many a dive down wind, but she screamed past the then big monohull ferries and loved a race with the hydrofoils too😂 oh the broken experimental masts, the wings and trampolines oh so many things and crew all tried and tested to limits unknown! What a hoot😅 In a stiff Nor’easter from behind, at 10feet wide, she skipped like a golden saucer or stone across white crested waves until her bowsprit dug a little too deep into the oncoming rolling swell of the heads then that sudden inertia of going into the drink! The “Stubbies” big ‘B’ may not be considered by many in sailing echelons as a great success but for me, I saw how manifesting a big idea and sharing it with those close to you, who share your passion, can make what seems impossible a reality. The experience it lent to JB and his teams of supporters on huge and various learning curves during the process, all gained true grit and were inspired with greater more innovative ideas for boat building and envisioned the expansion of sailing as a multidisciplinary global team sport, which we all enjoy today! 🎉 🙏Thanks for the reminisce 😊

[@HartasProductionsOfficial]

Thank you so much for this wonderful comment! It truly made my day to read it!

[@kevinc3344]

I just stumbled across this movie while looking for something completely unrelated. I am a lifelong sailor of both keelboats and dinghies. I've never sailed a skiff, and I'm not sure my wrecked-up body could handle it anymore, but I wish I could one day. I haven't been able to sail for several years now due some personal stuff, but I am looking forward to being able to get out on the water again someday. There is a magic to sailing that only sailors can understand and this video so perfectly captures it the way mere words cannot. Beautifully done, and thank you for the motivation to keep after my dream of being on the water again.

[@peterlovett5841]

Had to have a chuckle hearing how cooperative and good willed the crews were to each other given the history of the class where the occasional punch-up was not unknown. The class developed as a way of keeping rugby league players fit in the off-season and the early 18 foot skiffs would often have crews of 12 or more and it wasn't unknown that if a close competitor looked like beating you to the windward mark then deft use of a spinnaker pole could persuade them otherwise. It also wasn't unknown that if the wind dropped off several of the crew would be thrown overboard (near a shipping buoy of course) knowing that one of the ferry boats that followed the fleet would pick them up. The skiff fleets developed outside of the regular yachting fraternity and clubs but today are really mainstream. Fantastic filming by the way and very deft use of the drone.

[@thomaselliott573]

Just another example of why sailing in Sydney has been without peer in so many ways. Flying across the harbour or Pittwater watching the deep blue water and glistening white foam racing past underneath me at 12 years old was something of a formative experience for me. It is better than memories as one can still live it and be inspired by it in everything one does.

[@winterhawk1987]

Absolutely one of the best sailing videos, all the slow motion is vital on these super fast boats and it shows much more action.

[@Alan-bi7dm]

One of the best videos,i remember being flung into the side stay,like a cheese cutter.

[@davidwarren9204]

I've watched the 18-footers on Sydney Harbour more times than I can remember, and sailed smaller trapeze Skiffs in my younger days. They are truly the most beautiful and impressive vessels. Thanks you for the amazing footage, you really did these incredible boats, and their crews, justice :)

[@HartasProductionsOfficial]

Thank you so much! Comments like these remind me why I make these films

[@bretloyd8097]

Great stuff. . . I REALLY hope this generation of international 18 "skiffies" understand the complete history of the 18's. . . . .

[@metaphysicalphilanthropist7447]

WOW! Wonderful movie! Thanks so much for sharing this spectacular experience. As a former Hobie 16 racer, immersing in this video brought back so many happy feelings and memories. You fully captured the excitement of sailing, these wonderful boats, and the spectacular scenery. Well done!

[@ojlife4254]

Such a great class of boat would love to appear in the class when I am older can’t wait another great video guy 🤙

[@campbellslee6773]

An Aussie legend, 18 footers.

[@MozzySails]

Looking forward to this... nice little warm up before the 19-20 season kicks off down under!

[@J3zzaG]

Mozzy Sails get down here and do the season with us!

[@MozzySails]

@@J3zzaG I would love nothing more, but sadly my finances wouldn't stretch to a trip to Aus!

[@MrKjelsvik]

Awesome video. Want to sail 18's sooner than later. Not getting any younger. This looks just like Squamish and Howe Sound. Big winds, in flow, out flow. Have a Hobie 18. Generally sail by myself. Had some fun on 505's and 49er's. This just looks like so much dangerous fun.

[@MrKjelsvik]

PS. We have flat water and big wind as well. Makes the playground a great place to play.

[@MadCorpCompany]

Wow ! Great pictures, great framing, great video ! Good job

[@escope1959]

Love our videos. Very informative and your videography is second to none. Thank You

[@violaiodice3824]

Un video stupendo. Una barca bella ed impossibile. Una musica di sottofondo fantastica. Buon vento...

[@IraDubery]

Great Vid Ollie, that shot under the wing was amazing!

[@peterandlesleyvl]

Wow loved the photography of these crazy sailors having a blast. Awesome work.

[@hunskiff]

Great Video!! Big Thanks Ollie!!

[@zknarc]

Beautiful footage. Slowmo is an interesting way to present these fast machines and works really well. Congrats to the team that made it.

[@jimmyjohnstone5878]

Lake Garda. Sailing heaven. I hope to be back at Campione some day soon. Missed it last year and probably this July too. Bummer.

[@rideskor]

I love it, I just wish I could watch more discreetly. The interview to music volume levels are too skewed so I keep getting caught watching this and not working on my own edits haha

[@jcdazamont]

Magnífico video, what a fabulous and excelent video with ultraslow motion in hd. Story is about a band of brothers n sisters. Congratulations Best regards

[@jcdazamont]

... and the boat is the best. I remember see it into a sponsor blog on a sailing magazzine in 1997 and I thought to my self "wow, what the hell is that" when skiffs aren't famous like today, then, I still thinking to build one cause they're the best on whater, more than foiling.

[@macjamers]

Need beeps starting at 8 on the intro countdown, and lose the beeps on 2, 1. Nice Video, beautiful sailing 🤙

[@tm502010]

True madness - but epic never the less!

[@markjones3425]

GREAT flic!!

[@Rlee571]

Superb! Well done

[@kellyhunt3958]

Wow.. this is how it should be, raw power. . man v wind.

[@elseb7018]

this is so sick! i just bought a laser5000! i cant wait to get into skiff sailing

[@Antipodean33]

And here's me thinking this footage was in NZ. By far the best racing boat, foiling doesn't come close in excitement

[@lincolndunstan3057]

I don't think I'll get to sleep tonight....too much adrenaline pumping in my system!!!!

[@HartasProductionsOfficial]

Love it!

[@martmexpue]

What I like most are the people, I am losing every day more interest in these olympic, doping, cheating events... this is how sport should be

[@moefoemonkey]

great video

[@toddmartin4168]

Great!

[@rosewood1]

Very skilfull filming. I assume you are using drones. Once you have sailed on trapeze it's a different sailing dimension especially skippering. But the 18s have always been the pinnacle for dinghy sailing. Magnificent

[@RommelCastroRascX]

Um grande sonho ter isto no Brasil, Rede Virtual do Conhecimento Náutico

[@chrisstevenson9844]

Wow long live the skiff. How much sail can you bang on. Beautiful

[@inthelifeofasock9040]

That’s so cool they are so lucky

[@hoverimages1221]

Fantastic video footage. Very talented. What Drone were you flying? Its inspirational.

[@TechnoGlobalist]

i see fast sailing, i likeit

[@Gustavlundeberg]

great video but more of the madness would've been fun

[@fabmanly1070]

This goes waaaaaaaaay (Decades) back, but crazy stuff on Auckland Harbour. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b323g4Juo8Snp8k

[@jamesaron1967]

I don't think I've seen a bowsprit that long, looks like something from the 17-1800s.

[@clarkkent2913]

Great.

[@antiussentiment]

Hey Ollie, when you put up the teaser for this, I tried to find the results. But my google fu was poor. Can you put a link to the results in the comments as I'd love to know how everyone went? Best skiff porn yet. Never stop man.

[@HartasProductionsOfficial]

www.circolovelaarco.it/images/finali1.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1leLVp9eth4xg1GXKC35Rl4BBQea1LJA8KmlsMmSpIRI6UxxSiWMnNYZA

[@antiussentiment]

@@HartasProductionsOfficial Thanks so much. Good to see some Euros' in the top 10. Hopefully a bunch come for the JJ's?

[@BigTimeCharley1956]

@@HartasProductionsOfficial Is that Bethwaite )crew in winning team) related to Franke Bethwaite, designer of the Tasar and Laser 2?

[@HartasProductionsOfficial]

@@BigTimeCharley1956 On the Asko, Frank Bethwaite's grandson, Harry Bethwaite was the bowman, yes!

[@ianedmonds9191]

All those anchors at the front are not doing a very good job at keeping the nose down...

[@nigelmorgan3449]

WOW

[@envisioning13]

What's the opening song? It really sets the tone and is beautiful like the landscapes

[@HartasProductionsOfficial]

It is a custom piece we had composed for this film :)

[@ronkramer3476]

F18 rulez

[@tombowen8091]

never heark a yacht sound like a fekin old peoples disco , grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[@rogerprout5574]

Way to unstable for me. Do it in a 70fter. that's a buzz.

[@toddmulligan2609]

Holy god you all need helmets ⛑

[@homefront3162]

And the cost of one of these fine boats is???

[@moefoemonkey]

infinity

[@bphenry]

You're gonna be looking at €10k-20k, so $11k-$22k (USD). But you'll need about that much in support equipment and spares, so figure around €50k euro or $55k (USD). That's just to get a used one and sail it for fun. If you're gonna campaign it I suspect you're looking at a heck of a lot more (and hence the prominent sponsorships). Here's a link if you're in the market: uk18footer.org/index.php/market-place/category/2-boats

[@rayclark6596]

Drone attack 6:13.... dunt dunt... dunt dunt... dunt dunt dunt dunt dunt dunt dunt dunt...

[@geraldfrank1630]

Norway?? 🙄

[@jonathanahlander1799]

Gerald Frank Italy

[@windwardpro]

Just "popping a wheelie" all the time is just showboating. Just like the old days when Hobies were shown flying a hull at like 50- 60 degrees. Not how the boat was designed and not how it goes the best- not to mention- how long is your rig and everything going to last crashing back down every few seconds?...

[@sullyman72]

This is how we should settle the Americas cup, instead of spending $$$$$$$$$$$$

[@toddmulligan2609]

sullyman72 I have to guess getting one of these tiny boats to the start line costs about $50k or something

[@bossHogOG]

Music’s a bit much

[@jimwortham8634]

Love to sailing too much talking for me

[@ushoys]

1:45 Foils don’t propel a boat son.