one design sailboat

ONE DESIGN CENTRAL

Where to go for everything one design, what is one design sailing.

One design is a form of racing where all boats are virtually identical or similar in design. Class-legal boats race each other without any handicap calculations, start at the same time, and the winner is the first to cross the finish line.

There are more than 200 actively raced one design classes in the U.S. The classes range from eight-foot Optimist dinghies to the 12 Meter sailboats, J/105, Farr 40s, and more.

One design classes are broken down into fleets that are located at various locations like, yacht clubs, sailing centers and other organizations. Club or fleet racing takes place on a regular basis all over the country, and many fleets welcome newcomers. Contact your local sailing organizations to get involved in one design sailing and ask for the name(s) of the fleet captain(s).

US Sailing One Design Next Gen Sailor Survey for the Under 30 Sailor

Assessing Sailing Trends of the Next Generation. The One Design Committee of US Sailing has launched a survey to determine baseline information for sailors primarily between 18 and 30 years old. We are hoping to identify trends within sailing and the wider industry including use patterns, activity levels, and attitudinal responses.  This will also allow US Sailing to better understand the trends of gender and racial diversity within sailing. Everyone under 30 years of age is encouraged to participate. The Survey is Closed, Results to be posted late February/March 2023

US Sailing One Design Classes and Sailor Tracing Survey Results 2022 Survey results release February 2, 2023- Click Here

List of Classes that responded to the classes survey: Click Here

TEST RULE 18 - Learn more here CLICK HERE TO HAVE YOUR CLASS TAKE PART IN THE TEST

Subscribe to The One Design Line e-newsletter

New to sailing, news & resource center, one design awards, one design racing, class selector, class finder, fleet finder, fleet/class support, social resources, sailor resources, e-newsletters: od line, one design experiences, member benefits, contact the one design committee, one design class leaders - stay connected with us sailing, update class leadership contact information here, one design class calendars.

One Design Events

How to add events to the us sailing calendar, add your od class event *, us sailing approved world or north american class championships, is your class event on the "approved" us sailing list check below., pursuant to world sailing regulation 25, us sailing board of directors is authorized to grant approval for world and or north american  championships being held in the united states. to learn more, scroll down to sailor resources, and select u.s championships, olympics, world events or, click on the "sailor resources"tab on the right sidebar., approved world or na events list click here make sure you select the sheet that represents the correct year.  *please note- national championships do not need to be filed with us sailing, just world or north american events being held in the u.s.a., don't see your class event listed, have a class leader or event host file an event with us sailing: https://form.jotform.com/73543790646162.

To be updated monthly

• Stay informed by subscribing to The One Design Line, a NEW e-newsletter for One Design Sailors and Classes

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One Design Sailing Awards

US Sailing recognizes One Design achievements through the One Design Sailing Awards.

One Design Awards include:

John H. Gardner Jr. Trophy for One-Design Service and Leadership, One-Design Club Award, One-Design Regatta Reward, and One-Design Creativity Award,

To learn more about each award and submit a nomination today click the link below:

US Sailing Awards

NOMINATION PERIOD March through mid-November, each year with winners announced in early January of following year.

2023 Nominations now CLOSED

Are you new to sailing?

The right sailing program for you might be just down the street!

Dinghy (Small Boats)

Dinghy sailing is a simple, inexpensive way to get started in the sport in small boats. The fundamental basics of sailing are most easily learned in dinghies. Many dinghies are designed for both youth and adults though some, like the Optimist, are designed specifically for youth sailors.  Dinghy sailing can provide a lifetime of enjoyment through recreational and competitive sailing. Generally, dinghies are under 22 feet in length. They include a wide assortment of designs that typically have centerboards or daggerboards. Because of their size and simplicity, many dinghies can be sailed by just one, two, or three people.

Learning to sail is part dream, part great instruction, and part hands-on experience. Most youth start sailing in dinghies many adults do too! Many youth and community based sailing programs offer learn to sail courses for adults in small boats.

LEARN TO SAIL - DINGHIES

2022 One Design Award Winners Announced click here

The One Design Awards. From left: Eric Bussell, Kathy Dryden, Chris Wright, Rob Bowden. Not present: Kristen Zillman for San Diego Yacht Club

LEARN MORE ABOUT the US SAILING ONE DESIGN SAILING AWARDS

2023 NOMINATIONS now CLOSED

Browse our Where to Sail map for listings of sailing schools, yacht clubs, and community sailing centers near you.

Where to Sail

Small Keelboat

If you are looking to learn how to sail on a more stable platform, small keelboats might be the way to go for you. This type of boat has a weighted keel that counter-balances the force on the sails. US Sailing Accredited Keelboat Schools offer up to seven levels of courses where you can accumulate skills and experience with each level of certification. This Learn to Sail Certification Program starts with Basic Keelboat and progresses on to whatever level you choose. Having a US Sailing Keelboat Certification may make it easier for you to rent or charter a boat, but it will give you the ability to sail with confidence.

Not every learn to sail location is a US Sailing Accredited Keelboat School. Ask if they offer learn to sail courses on small keelboats.

LEARN TO SAIL- KEELBOAT

WHERE TO FIND A KEELBOAT SCHOOL

Class News and Resource Center

Share timely news, resources, and content from your class association across all classes on One Design Central. This area is NOT meant to be used for regatta specific information; event recaps, press releases.

Types of Shareable Content for posting:

• Best practices
• Equipment updates
• Class rules updates
• Human Interest story
• Tips/Help/Support
• Online Symposiums
• Measurement updates/seminars
• World Event, Rally, Sailing Festival

Please send your published content to [email protected] with URL so we can post and link back to your class website or Face Book page.

We know you are running and organizing great regattas for your classes! Thank you for serving the sport. However, this space is NOT for regatta/event recaps and press releases.

Put US Sailing on Your Email List: [email protected]

Need to Update Class Leadership Contact list with US Sailing? CLICK HERE

COMING SOON! One Design Boat Grant, Loan, or Lease to Own Programs Listing!

US Sailing One Design Next Gen Sailor Survey for the Under 30 Sailor - RESULTS to be Presented during the 2024 US Sailing National Sailing Programs Symposium and shared with Class Leaders.

• Assessing Sailing Trends of the Next Generation. The One Design Committee of US Sailing has launched a survey to determine baseline information for sailors primarily between 18 and 30 years old. We are hoping to identify trends within sailing and the wider industry including use patterns, activity levels, and attitudinal responses.  This will also allow US Sailing to better understand the trends of gender and racial diversity within sailing. Everyone under 30 years of age is encouraged to participate. READ MORE
• SURVEY CLOSED: September 1, 2023
• Results to be presented during the US Sailing National Sailing Programs Symposium - February 1-3, Savannah, GA. Be onsite for the results, Register Today https://nsps.ussailing.org/
• Results will be shared with class leaders in February.
• US SAILING 2022 ONE DESIGN SURVEY RESULTS PRESENTATION released February 2, 2023

Club Team Racing Gets Its Due- Article:  Sailing World by Gary Jobson May 16, 2023

• Peter Keck, One Design Sailing Champion Crowned at the 2022 Championship of Champions October 9, 2022 Shore Acres Yacht Club, Brick, NJ Read More
• World Sailing Looking for Classes/Fleets/Clubs to Test new Rule

[email protected] .

• Are you a One Design Class Leader looking to share information or learn from other class leaders? Our US Sailing One Design Class Committee created a Facebook group where is it easy to ask questions and share ideas and/or challenges with others who have similar perspectives as you.
• This group is private and by invitation only. Invitations are being sent to the lead administrators for all US Sailing member classes.
• It is a World Sailing requirement to file the event with US Sailing. CLICK HERE

https://youtu.be/dP-qe1jjGJo

Competition naturally results when sailors and boats get together in the same place and sail around each other.  It is normal for a sailor to want to test his or her skills against other sailors.  The way to do that is by racing.  For one design sailors, there are many options when it comes to formats for racing.

Are You New To Racing?

Check out this great presentation for beginner racers by chris snow:.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14vGdC9AjSz9gJpWyJ5hV86QD0Ri7OSfd/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=105375812249044831950&rtpof=true&sd=true

Fleet Racing

Fleet Racing is a type of racing in One Design classes where all boats of the same type race against each other at the same time on the same course. The winner of a One Design fleet race is the boat who crosses the finish line first.

More Fleet Racing information to follow as page is built out- a redirect link to a Fleet Racing page will be placed here.

Team Racing

Team Racing is a type of racing where one team (comprised of two, three or four boats) competes against another team in the same kind of One Design boat.  The team who wins the race between the two has a lower combined score than the other team using low point scoring (first =1 point; second = 2 points; third = 3 points, and so on).

LEARN MORE ABOUT TEAM RACING

Match Racing

Match Racing is a type of racing between two One Design boats.  It is one boat vs. the other boat.  The winner of the race is whichever crosses the finish line first with any or all obligations/penalties satisfied.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MATCH RACING

Adaptive Racing

Adaptive Racing may also be referred to as Para Sailing, and is for sailors who have a disability (physical, vision-impaired, intellectual, cognitive, etc) who are participating in an event with other sailors with a disability.  Most of these races take place in One Design boats that have been adapted for the sailor to aid independent operation of the boat.  Many of these races take place at events that include clinics.  Para Sailors may also be found racing in "Open"  events against able-bodied sailors.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ADAPTIVE RACING

Ratings Racing/Portsmouth Yardstick

Ratings racing is a type of fleet racing and is typically done by a fleet comprised of a variety of one design boats.  This may be a great solution for an organization or location that doesn't have enough of any  single kind of one-design boat to create its own fleet but when grouped together can form a combined fleet.

Portsmouth Yardstick is  ​one of the most widely used handicapping system.  It is based on average historic performance data  ​of a class to assign a "rating" to each One Design boat in the fleet. The Portsmouth Yardstick is a handicapping system that allows multiple classes of one designs and other smaller boats to sail on the same starting line and race course with corrected time results. The winner is determined by the formula provided in the rating rule.

US Sailing has partnered with the RYA to create a more robust platform for Portsmouth Yardstick Racing using the PYOnline platform.

The new PYOnline platform is exclusively for US Sailing member organizations. PYOnline will produce updated ratings for each class after a day or event of sailing.

Key Advantages:

• PY Online streamlines submitting race results digitally, with the potential to update ratings on a daily basis.
• Each Club has their own portal in PY Online allowing local updates to specific classes for better racing based upon local conditions.
• The ratings will become more accurate over time, ensuring that competition stays fresh on the water. This means no one boat or class is guaranteed a win or loss based upon ratings alone.
• US Sailing will update the national ratings for a given class on an annual basis, based upon the ratings used by the individual clubs.

Portsmouth Yardstick racing becomes better, more robust and more fun with more clubs and sailors participating. Please consider adding a mixed fleet racing event or series to your calendar. Contact [email protected] with any questions or to discuss how PYOnline can help your organization.

SIGN UP FOR  PYONLINE

What you need to know aoout the New Portsmouth Yardstick Online. A Q/A with Nathan Titcomb.

CLASS SELECTOR:

A phase ii build out feature that is currently under construction., what class is right for me.

This section will provide sailors with an interactive tool to help sort through various one design classes by answering a few questions. It will enable sailors to find a boat that best meets their needs. Please be patient as we work on this feature.

As we build this out, the search will filter through information based on a series of questions on things like:

• Youth or Adult
• Total number of crew
• Physical stature
• Spinnaker/non
• and other search options

Wianno Senior

Weta Trimaran Class of North America

Sail and Kite Boards

Land and Ice Boat

Nite Iceboat

Radio Controlled

Need to edit your class page? Just send an email to: [email protected]

Don't see your class listed above? Ask your class administrator to fill out the form below:

SUBMIT CLASS PROFILE

FLEET FINDER

THIS FEATURE IS BEING UPDATED - Thank you for your patience as we work on this site.

Are you an experienced sailor looking for a place to get out on the water?

If you are an experienced sailor, you may find yourself traveling or looking locally for a place to race or just go sailing. Visit our FLEET FINDER SEARCH to see what class fleets are close to home or near to where you might be traveling.

Don't see a class fleet represented, reach out to your class administrator and have them contact: [email protected] to learn how they can add fleets to the Fleet Finder Search.

This page is continually being updated with new additions of fleets, so check back regularly.

FLEET FINDER SEARCH

WHERE TO SAIL ONE DESIGN

Class Governance Resources

• Certified Race Officer Insurance.  US Sailing extends its commercial insurance for the benefit of US Sailing’s certified race officers, certified judges, and certified umpires, and to non-certified officials acting as volunteers for US Sailing (collectively referred to as Certified Race Officials (CRO)). Each specific scenario determines if US Sailing’s insurance is primary, excess, or does not apply.  Learn More
• SafeSport -  SafeSport training is a free online course that provides education and certification on sexual misconduct, emotional and physical misconduct and understanding your responsibilities around mandatory reporting. Learn More
• Ten Commandments for Successful One-Design Management by Gay Lynn

Race/Regatta Management Resources

Whether you are running an event for the first time or an experienced event planner, US Sailing has the tools to help you succeed.

REGATTA MANAGEMENT

• Regatta Management Planning Manual
• World Sailing Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024
• US Sailing Prescriptions RRS 2021-2024
• US Sailing Regulations - amended February 22, 2021
• Individual U.S. Championship Conditions can be found on the specific championship webpages
• Code of Conduct  Last update- 2017
• Coaching and Support Boat Policy
• US Sailing 2021 - 2024 Hearing Decision Form - Formerly, Protest form used by Protest Committee
• Using Regatta Network part one (5 minute tutorial)
• Using Regatta Network part two (3 minute tutorial)
• Yacht Scoring
• Club Spot/Regatta Toolbox
• Organizing a Great Regatta
• Five Tips for Regatta PR Success by Doug Wake
• Race Management Tips for the Last Day by Jeff Johnson
• Conduct of Championships by Clark Chapin
• The Great Event - an Interview with Phil Richmond, Regatta Chair Extraordinaire
• Find a Race Official  (Race Officers, Judge, Umpires, Classifiers, Measurers at all levels- Club, Regional, National, International)
• Become a Race Official
• Race Committee 101  is a New US Sailing training program that provide an overview of race committee functions for those who are interested in learning more.
• Race Participation
• Participation

Fleet Support

• Start Small with Big Ideas-Starting a New Sailing Club
• How A Boat Grant Program Works - International Lightning Class Association
• Fun is the Key by Dave Irish
• Different Strokes – A Trophy for Fun by Ron Schauble
• Ten Commandments for Successful One-Design Management  by Gay Lynn
• Racing Rules Book Club Article by Clark Chapin

We are in the process of collecting articles and information that will help a broad spectrum of one design classes and fleets with the topics listed above. If you have an article or information that you can contribute to this section, please send it via email to:

[email protected]

Safety Concerns

US Sailing is committed to fostering a fun, healthy, and safe environment for all sailor athletes.

• Covid-19 Resources
• SafeSport -  SafeSport training is a free online course that provides education and certification on sexual misconduct, emotional and physical misconduct and understanding your responsibilities around mandatory reporting
• Life Jacket Association -COVID-19 Virus: Cleaning & Storing your Life Jackets
• MTI Lifejackets - COVID-19: Recommended Methods for PFD Sanitization
• Traveling with your Inflatable Lifejacket
• Cold Assessment Reference Card- Hypothermia
• US VHF CHannel Information

US Sailing Facebook One- Design Forum

• Are you a One Design Class Leader looking to share information or learn from other class leaders? Our US Sailing One Design Class Committee created a private group on Facebook to share best practices, learn from others and grow your class.
• This group is private and by invitation only. Invitations are being sent to the lead administrators for all US Sailing member classes. We have created a place where is it easy to ask questions and share ideas and/or challenges with others who have similar perspectives as you.
• Class leaders will have the opportunity to invite another class member to the group once the initial emails have been sent.
• Please note that you must have your own Facebook account to join a group.

Rules Related Topics

What you need to know about APPEALS

2021-2024 US Sailing Prescriptions

Dave Perry's Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing Products

• Sampling of Dave Perry's Rules Quizzes

Rules Related Publications

• US Sailing 2021 - 2024 Hearing Request Form Formerly, Protest Form

Tools for Organizing Your Team:

Crew Manager Providing a boat website with features the skipper and crew will use throughout the sailing season. https://crew-mgr.com/

CrewSignUp Enabling crew members to indicate their availability and you to select who will race. http://drapers.us/crewsignup/

Phlotilla Providing an extensive set of crew / team management tools. https://phlotilla.com/

RailMeets Bringing crew and captains one click closer. https://railmeets.com/

RegattaBoard Crew Finder - Short Notice https://www.regattaboard.com/

SailConnect Helping everyone spend less time organizing and more time on the water. https://sailconnect.com/

TeamSnap Taking the work out of play. https://www.teamsnap.com/

Crew Medical & Health Insurance - Specialized health insurance with worldwide overage for professional sailors, coaches, instructors, Olympic team members, collegiate sailing athletes, paid crew/captains, and international cruisers who are members of US Sailing.  Learn More .

One Design Insurance Program.  Specialized insurance for one-design boats under 30-feet. Can be purchased online.  US Sailing members may be eligible for a10% discount.   Learn More .

Tuning Tips

Content to follow - under construction

Calibrating Your Rig On The Fly

• Tuning Your Boat for Performance by Chris Snow
• Finn Gybing with plenty of breeze on! 30 Knot Gusts!
• Steering in waves
• Finn Pumping explained by Ben Ainslie ,
• Steering in waver
• Finn tacking tips
• Light wind sail trim/speed training Fin Club Holland
• Dinghy Academy: Finn free pumping in 20 knots, a hard day at work...

Tactics & Strategy

Content under construction

• North U is offers live and on-demand webinars on tactics and sail trim. US Sailing members are being offering special pricing on these sessions. Visit the North U website and use promo code  USS20NU  to save 25% and gain access. The North U Trim Webinar is a series of 4 sessions. Purchase individual sessions at $30 each (regularly $40) or all 4 session for $108.75 (regularly $145).
• Youth Racing Central - US Sailing Members Only Feature- Login with your member ID and password- Youth and Adults Welcome

Youth/Adult - Learn to Sail- Getting Started

First Sail Opportunities/Locations

First Sail Locations

• Small Boat Instructor Programs
• Keelboat Instructor Programs
• Teach Sailing the Fun Way for Instructors
• Safety as Sea - Our Safety at Sea experts set high standards for the most authoritative and proven methods for keeping sailors safer while they enjoy the sport. Countless hours of research conducted by our dedicated volunteers have allowed US Sailing to provide instructional materials, publications, courses and seminars that are made available to all interested sailors. These educational opportunities include our widely popular Safety at Sea Courses.

One-Design Event Calendar (add your class events here)

Us sailing one design calendar, learn how to add your class event to the us sailing od calendar- click here.

*Membership with US Sailing required to access this feature through a "My US SAILING" account - Join/Renew Today

U.S. Championships, Olympics, World Events

• What Are My Options
• 5 US Sailing Youth Championship Events
• 10 US Sailing Adult Championships
• Hosting a US Sailing Championship
• Three Planning Calendar
• US Sailing Area Map and Representatives
• Olympic Development Program
• Filing World Events with US Sailing - https://form.jotform.com/73543790646162
• Check to see if your event has been add- CLICK HERE
• *National Class Championship Events do not need to be approved through this process.

ATTENTION - N.I. E. Applications no longer a required travel document for Entry to U.S.A.

On November 8, 2021, at 00:01, Presidential Proclamation Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-⁠19 Pandemic goes into effect.   All previously issued NIEs are void as of this date regardless of stated validity.   

You can find out more about the new travel requirements  here.  Travelers can check what COVID documentation they will need  here.

This change eliminates the National Interest Exemption process for upcoming regattas/events in the US.

Stay Healthy - Fitness and Training

• The Starboard Portal Fitness Friday with Sailing Performance Training CLICK HERE scroll down to the Fitness Section on the page for a complete list of videos. Tune in for live classes each Friday.

Sailing Workout Plan: The 15 Best Home Exercises for Sailors - YouTube

Fitness Top Tips with Finn Sailor Andrew Mills - Pumping Iron with the British Sailing Team - YouTube

E-Newsletter

The one design line archived issues, archived editions of the one design line:, issue no. 01 - july, 2020, issue no. 02 - september, 2020, issue no. 03 - october, 2020, issue no. 04 - november, 2020, issue no. 05 - december, 2020, issue no. 06 - february, 2021, issue no. 07 - may, 2021, issue no. 08 - june 2021 - team racing, issue no. 09 - july 2021 - special olympic edition.

*If you have an idea for a future edition of The One Design Line   send an email to: [email protected]

To subscribe to the One Design Line e-Newsletter, fill out the quick form at the top of the One Design Central webpage.

One Design Experiences with  

My class, my story : the comet.

'One sailor’s Deep connection to his beloved one-design class serves as an example of why we sail the boats we do.'

By Dave Reed

We all have it: that human fascination with the new. Even the cereal I’ve been eating for years is now “new and improved” (which makes we wonder whether Quaker has been selling me an inferior breakfast all these years). I digress. Our curiosity is for new, new, new, all the time. New boats, new races, new classes, new experiences — you name it. We fill our social media feeds, our websites and even the pages of this magazine with new things. And while we’re all so focused on the new, it’s easy to ignore the older classes, boats and fleets that the majority of racers hold near and dear. Click here to continue reading.

If you are interested in submitting a My Class, My Story article, contact: [email protected]

My Class, My Story ARCHIVES

• My Class, My Story: Interlake by Erika Seaman
• My Class, My Story: The Day Sailer by Erika B Seamon
• My Class, My Story: E-Scow by Rachel Beers
• My Class, My Story: The Comet by Dave Reed
• My Class, My Story: DN Iceboat by Pete Pierce
• My Class, My Story: The Ensign by John Cutler

US Sailing Member Benefits

To access these and other member benefits, please log into your My US Sailing account and click on Member Coupons and Benefits on the sidebar.

• Membership with USSA provides sailors opportunity to the appeal process
• U.S. and World Championship eligibility
• Education and Training - Access to US Sailing Programs
• US Sailing Store - Save 25% (certain restrictions apply) Member- only pricing on US Sailing products including publications from the US Sailing Store
• Safety at Sea Training - US Sailing Members can use the following promo codes for discounts on Safety at Sea items in the  US Sailing Online Store : SAS5  – $5 OFF Safety at Sea:  Coastal (Units 1-5) Online    SAS5  – $5 OFF  Safety at Sea: Offshore Upgrade (Units 11-15)   SAS10  – $10 OFF  Safety at Sea: Coastal Upgrade (Units 6-15)    SAS10  – $10 OFF  Safety at Sea: Coastal Online Plus  Safety at Sea: A Guide to Safety Under Sail and Personal Survival     SAS25  – $25 OFF  Safety at Sea: Offshore (Units 1-15) Online
• Boat US -10% of water towing services. Access your MY USSAILING account for discount code and sign up online at BoatUS.com/join  or call 800-395-2628.
• Cabrinha - 20% off the retail price of any Cabrinha product. Visit https://adventuresportsusa.com/   log into your MY USSAILING account for the discount code to redeem your exclusive member benefit.
• US Sailing Team Athlete
• US Sailing certified Race Official
• Getting started is simple and free. Go to www.expertvoice.com/us-sailing  and sign up. Questions? Contact ExpertVoice Partner Services  [email protected]
• Fell Marine - Wireless Kill Switch (MOB+ Wireless Man Overboard System and Products). Members save 15% off – Log Into your MYUSSAILING Account to access coupon code and visit  Fell Marine .
• Gill - 10% off - US Sailing Members get  10% off Gill access your MY USSAILING account for discount code. Visit gillmarine.com  for online purchases or show your valid membership digital card at Gill’s Flagship store in Newport (364B Thames St. Newport, RI) to recieve 10% off your purchase in-store.
• Hobie Polarized : Save 25% off the retail price of Hobie Polarized Sunglasses. Log into your MY USSAILING Account to access coupon code and visit: www.hobieeyewear.com
• Landfall Navigation - $15 Off - Log into your My USSAILING Account to access coupon code and visit Landfall Navigation’s website and  register and checkout as a Landfall member . It is completely free to register on their website.
• McLaughlin - 15% off any items on  Optistuff.com excluding boats, sails and clearance items. Optistuff.com represents much more than just parts of the Optimist Dinghy. You can also purchase parts for a Laser, I-420, C420 and sailing apparel. Log into you MY USSAILING Account to unlock promo code.
• PerkSpot - sailors looking for product discounts
• Portsmouth Yardstick- Popularly used to rate centerboard boats, smaller keelboats, and multihulls. Portsmouth Yardstick is often used for local fleet races around the country. Learn More
• Reaching Ahead Mental Performance (RAMP) Training Program - Train your mental game to perform more consistently on the racecourse! For only $12 per month, access a new module each month from Dr. Tim Herzog’s Reaching Ahead Mental Performance (RAMP) training program. As long as you keep the subscription, you will have access to every module that’s been unveiled! As a US Sailing member, get the first month free. Log into your MY USSAILING account for coupon code and details.
• Safe Lakes Life Cords - US Sailing Members receive 10% off Safe Lakes Life Cords . Log into your MY USSAILING account for coupon code and details. Sail1Design - Sail1Design’s Job Board  is available to US Sailing members at a 15% discount. Setting up your listing by  creating a membership  with Sail1Design and  login to your account . Add your US Sailing member ID to your Sail1Design member information profile. Once this is automatically verified, you will see new Career Center and Marketplace posting/pricing categories appear.
• SailorsHealth Insurance - Gowrie Group offers US Sailing members access to the SailorsHealth Insurance Program which is a creditable, annual health insurance plan brought to you by GeoBlue. This best-in-class annual health insurance plan features worldwide coverage, domestic coverage, prompt access to doctors and hospitals, English speaking customer service, paperless claims, and more.
• SailFlow - Save 30% on SailFlow Plus or Pro memberships or purchase a bundled package including the WeatherFlow Wind Meter and a free one year SailFlow Plus Membership for $34.99. Visit SailFlow’s website to redeem.
• Sailing World and Cruising World - Special Member Pricing $15/1 yr Because of our strong partnership with Sailing World and Cruising World, US Sailing has secured the lowest subscription rate offered anywhere. US Sailing members pay only $15.00 for a year-long subscription to either publication. Take advantage of this discount when  renewing online  or call our office at 401-342-7900.
• SeaTactics offers US Sailing members discounted registration for courses. Log into your MY USSAILING account for coupon and details.
• Waterway Guide - All US Sailing members receive 25% off any Waterway Guide print publications. Visit Waterwayguide.com and log into your MY USSAILING account for coupon.
• Weems & Plath - 10% off all products online. Shop Weems & Plath online and access the promo code from your MY USSAILING account.
• Zim Sailing - EXCLUSIVE 10% OFF EVERYTHING at  ZimSailing.com . That’s 10% off sails, spars, parts, gear, dollies, and even clearance items. Log into your MY USSAILING Account to unlock coupon code.
• One Design Insurance Program - Specialized insurance for one-design boats under 30-feet. Can be purchased online.  US Sailing members may be eligible for a10% discount.   Learn More .
• The Burgee Program - Club and Organization Insurance. The only comprehensive insurance program developed to meet the distinctive needs of yacht clubs, community programs, and sailing organizations.  US Sailing members eligible for a 10% discount on the marine components of the program.   Learn more .
• US SAILING STORE - Save 25% (some restrictions apply) Member-only pricing on US Sailing products including publications from the US Sailing Store
• Nominate you National/North American or World Champion (Must be a US citizen) for the annual Championship of Champions Regatta.
• Promote your One Design Class as the boat used for the Championship of Champions.
• Weems & Plath - 10% off all products online. Shop Weems & Plath online for all your trophy needs and more. Access the promo code from your MY USSAILING account.

JOIN/RENEW TODAY

A Special THANK YOU to the 45 Volunteers From:

• Six Working Parties who took on topics identified from the One Design Sailors and Classes Survey from October 2019
• 62 One Design Classes
• 23 states across the country

It is through your passion, dedication and contributions that we were able to create this interactive webpage for One Design Sailors and Classes.

Copyright ©2018-2024 United States Sailing Association. All rights reserved. US Sailing is a 501(c)3 organization. Website designed & developed by Design Principles, Inc. -->

Most Popular One-Design Sailboats

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

May 23, 2023

‍ Key Takeaways

• A class-legal boats race is for you to compete without special modifications to the boat
• Small boats are typically one-design but some can be up to 30 feet in length
• The two most popular one-design boat brands are Laser and Sunfish
• Each class association is governed by the US Sailing organization
• Youth sailors greatly benefit from one-design classes to help shape sailing skills

‍ One-design class sailboats come in a variety of shapes and sizes. But what are the most popular one-design sailboats?

Popular one-design sailboats include Laser, 49er, I-420, and Ideal 18. Some popular multihull one-design boats are A-Cat, Isotope, and Hobie 16. Various one-design boat brands will cater to specific races and sailor’s needs in order to provide the best experience.

In my experience the Laser is one of the popular one-design brands in existence due to its rich history and sailors loyalty to the brand. Many other brands are right up there with it in terms of quality and performance.

Table of contents

‍ Top 15 Popular One-Design Sailboats

One-design sailboats are an international class of boats meant for solo sailing and racing. One-design racing incorporates virtually identical boats and some of the popular brands today have the best representation of the design class.

The Laser is the most popular racing dinghy across the world. It is a one-design sailboat they use in Olympic regatta and other world sailing events. There have been over 200,000 of these sold worldwide and they feature three rig setups to accommodate anyone that enjoys dinghy sailing.

The 49er is another sailboat that is considered among the best of world class racing sailboats. This small sailboat is a double handed skiff and requires that you have plenty of skill to handle it. The popularity has exploded since its debut in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The I-420 is a one-design class sailboat that is sailed around the world. It is commonly used in sailing schools and clubs for sailors that want to hone their skills as a dinghy racer. This boat is classified as an Olympic Development Class for all athletes trying to join the Olympics.

If you are wanting a blend of high performance competitive sailing without being too difficult then the 470 is the perfect boat. This incredible boat was introduced in the 1976 Montreal Olympics and is still currently used today for many of the races for design classes in the Olympics. These boats are used for the men’s and women’s double handed racing.

A popular one-design keelboat is the Ideal 18 that requires skill rather than any special rigging to win a race. It is one of the easiest boats to rig and is best for single handed sailing. You can use either a roller furling jib or self tacking jib to accommodate your sailing needs.

The A-Cat is part of the International A-Class and is an international developmental class for multihull one-design sailboats. It is 18 feet in length and is regarded as one of the fastest dinghy sailboats in existence. They mirror the quality used in the America’s Cup and are used in many races across North America.

Another one-design multihull that many sailors are switching to is the Isotope . This one-design class is a registered Formula 16HP class boat. At just 16 feet it is one of the fastest one-design multihulls out there.

The Hobie 16 is a one-design multihull sailboat that is one of the most iconic sailboats. It is in the Sailing Hall of Fame and is easy to sail. Sailors have loved this boat for over 45 years with over 100,000 sold worldwide.

The 29er is the younger sibling to the 49er one-design sailboat. This boat is a bit more advanced and perfect for youth that are wanting to take the next step up to the 49er. It has a race class devoted to it and is a great alternative to the Laser series if you have difficulty finding one.

A one-design boat that is geared towards a variety of uses does not get any better than the J/30 . It has the appeal of a racer cruiser and can accommodate all different types of sailing experience. This is perfect for those that want to race but not be tied down to limited options on the boat.

For youth that need a great starter one-design boat the Nacra 15 is a perfect option. It is a semi-foiling multihull that requires teamwork and is perfect for those that are building up the skills to one day be in the Olympics. At just under 16 feet it offers the ease of transportation anywhere the water is available.

The Atlantic is a classic one-design sailboat that is 30 feet in length and is fast. It has a keel and offers stability while remaining fast on the water. For nearly 100 years this 30 foot one-design has been at the top of its class.

Catalina 22

The Catalina 22 was one of the first boats inducted in the 1995 Sailboat Hall of Fame for good reason. It helped revolutionize the trailerable sailboat market and is a great one-design boat for sailing. It is great for the entire family and can be passed on for generations if taken care of properly.

A popular one-design sailboat that typically needs three or four people to sail is the J/22 . Hundreds of J/22 boats have sailed over the years since it was used in the 2004 Olympics. Its design allows it to remain competitive against older boats due to the strict one-design class.

The most iconic one-design sailboat out there is arguably the Sunfish . There are over 500,000 Sunfish boats around the world since the 1950’s and are used in roughly a thousand races a year. The beauty of this one-design is that it can be used as a racing boat or for casual day sailing.

Why One-Design Boats are Used for Racing

Sailing has been primarily used over the course of history to ship goods across waterways. Over time designs changed and people were interested in seeing who was faster than one another.

This led to the design of racing sailboats and were first used in the 1800’s in Greece. Fast forward over 200 years later and there are thousands of boats racing across the world in various competitions.

One-design boats are not only meant for racing and can be used for daysailing depending on the brand. If you want to be on the same playing field and for everyone else to do the same then one-design boats are ideal.

Need for Speed

There is a unique feeling when you see another sailboat just like yours and you have the itch to race it. This has always been a driving force behind racing and it is fueled by sailors that have a competitive outlook.

One-designs are meant to allow your skill shine and not the boat aiding in your ability to win. Dinghy sailing are boats that are under 20 feet and are typically handled by less than three people.

Importance of Design

One-designs are a balance of sport and comfort. Some boats are geared entirely for racing but there are plenty that balance perfectly as a daysailer and a racing boat.

Many will also have keels to provide added stability. A small keelboat is great for those wanting to have a bit more stability if they have a fear of tipping over in the water. Small keelboats are also great for those that are new to sailing and require a little help remaining stable.

Best for Training

If you are an inexperienced sailor or you want your kids to lean how to sail then one-design boats are the best option. Since these design classes all have to be similar depending on the boat length it is easier to learn on these than another type of boat.

This allows youth to easily adapt to the boat without being too overwhelmed or discouraged. It also helps if you start out on a one-design boat and then move up to a more advanced boat with a similar skill set needed to operate it.

In addition you can try out different types of one-design sailboats without having to buy one. This will allow you to get your feet wet with yacht clubs or other solo sailing organizations and have fun trying new boats.

What are One-Design Races?

One-design sailing is where an event of racing takes place and all of the boats that are competing are identical or very similar. The reason that these boats are nearly identical is so that no one competitor has an edge based on their boat rigging or any other special influences.

These races are entirely based on skill with minor help from the boat you are using so that everyone gets a fair shot. Everyone starts at the same time and the first to go across the finish line is the winner.

There is an estimated 200 or more one-design race classes around the US and vary in boat length from eight to 40 feet. These races are narrowed down among various racing organizations and clubs across the world.

Different Types of One-Design Races

There are many versions of one-design racing that sailors can join. This all depends on your experience or potentially a club that you are a part of. In the Olympics you will also see various one-design races.

Match races are quite common among one-design sailing. This is where two sailboats are of the same design or very similar are competing against one another to determine a winner.

The only major difference between the two boats sailing against each other is the crews on board each boat. Depending on the experience of the crew will greatly affect the outcome of the race.

Arguably the most common one-design racing is fleet. This is where either a small handful of boats or even up to 100 at a time can compete to cross a finish line in a given location.

These are great because you have a lot of sailors starting at one spot at the same time in very similar or identical boats. This is the same setup used in the Olympics and is why it is the most common race type.

Sailing clubs are great for building experience and camaraderie among your sailing peers. These can vary on one-design use but most will outline exactly what type of racing is going to be conducted.

These typically use various forms of racing types or one-design sailboats depending on location. In addition you can race to be the best of your club and earn a trophy.

Team racing is a bit different than other races that deliver a winner as soon as they cross the finish line. These are usually a few one-design boats with a few people on board and will award points to those teams depending on how they finish the race. The team that has the lowest amount of points after each race is the winner and it will require a few races to determine a winner.

Regatta races can vary based on location and will use different types of one-design sailboats. These races typically last a few days and will need teammates if the event is geared towards a team event. Most people enjoy regattas since they offer one of the best social interactions lasting a few days.

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to travel hundreds of miles or sail for days on end to reach a destination first then offshore one-design sailing is right for you. These races require extensive knowledge in order to remain safe. They typically have one-design requirements so that everyone is on the same playing field.

If you have disabilities and still want to enjoy sailing then paralympic sailing competitions are right for you. These are one-design sailboat races meant to handle skill and can accommodate to anyone attempting to sail.

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West Coast Sailing provides replacement parts, equipment, and resources for many popular one design sailboat classes. Use this page to find the boat you currently own and view all of our latest guides, parts diagrams, videos, advice, and how to articles so that you can properly maintain or update your boat, find replacement parts, or gear up with the right sailing gear.

Actively Supported One-Design Classes

West Coast Sailing provides dedicated one-design / original manufacturer supplied fittings for many popular small sailboat classes. These are classes with active builders and a current supply chain for replacement parts and fittings. We do our best to maintain stock of the key spare parts and upgrades you need to keep your boat on the water.

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Other One-Design Classes

West Coast Sailing provides one-design (original manufacturer fittings) for the various classes listed above. If your boat is not listed above , we do not currently provide support in this capacity. This may be due to lack of a current manufacturer for the boat or lack of a source for buying the parts. However, we do carry a wide range of general hardware, blocks, line, and other equipment that can be used on a variety of small sailboats and keelboats. We've compiled a list of boats and links to known resources below. In some cases we may offer a selection of hardware commonly found on a given boat, or a selection of lines or rigging. For questions about older boats that are no longer in production, we encourage you to search online, in forums, or on class association pages for current info related to parts or suggestions on fittings that may work for your boat.

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• SailingForums.com - A community for asking questions and sharing information about various sailboat classes. A great resources for out of production or hard to find boats.
• Rudder Craft - Based in Idaho, Rudder Craft provides custom rudder and tiller parts. They are a great resource for these components for boats that are no longer in production.
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• Sailboat Guide

US One-Design

US One-Design is a 37 ′ 9 ″ / 11.5 m monohull sailboat designed by John G. Alden and Carl Alberg and built by Quincy Adams Yacht Yard between 1946 and 1948.

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)

Carl Alberg was part of the Alden design firm at this time.

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Yankee One-Design

Yankee one design.

New England yacht clubs competed against each other with fleets of YODs from 1941 to 1956. When the clubs switched to fiberglass racing designs, their Yankees began new lives as family boats. The few YODs that remain now sail far from each other in America, France, Australia, and New Zealand. 

The Iconic Wooden Racing Class

Yankee One-Designs are a joy to sail, thanks to their balanced, responsive helm.

Each YOD has its own story. We tell them here .

Please visit our new  forum  to chat about the YOD mystery boats, restoration projects, winter maintenance plans, plus all the joys and hacks of owning a wooden boat.

If you'd rather be sailing,  browse our photo gallery .     

Designed in 1937, and invariably made of wood, YODs combine the spiritual aspects of wooden boat sailing with the thrill of a boat that thrives in heavy weather.  

About Yankees

Y39 Lot’s Wife has a new home! Congratulations to new YOD owner Matt Benson!

View the media library of YOD construction and sailing images.  This is Y43 at  NWSWB .

Read about Starling Burgess and the birth of the YOD class in  Wooden Boat Magazine #221

A Legendary Designer

The Yankee racing class came from a 1937 design competition with the mandate to create the ultimate racing boat for all conditions, from the light air in Marblehead to the afternoon winds of Buzzards Bay. 

In 1937, America's Cup designers Burgess, Herreshoff, and Paine judged a well publicized design contest for the new Yankee One-Design class.

But behind the scenes, the YOD design committee hired Starling Burgess to draft an anonymous entry which they sent to the boat builder before the deadline for the contest had even passed. 

In 1937, America's Cup designers Burgess, Herreshoff, and Paine judged a well publicized design contest for the new Yankee One-Design class. ​ But behind the scenes, the YOD design committee hired Starling Burgess to draft an anonymous entry which they sent to the boat builder before the deadline for the contest had even passed.

Yankee One-Design Specifications

Length   30′ 6″

Beam  6′ 6″

Waterline 24′

Draft 4′ 6″

Sail Area  312 sq ft

Displacement 4,775 lbs

Lead Keel  2550 lbs ​

YOD News and Congratulations

New owner Matt Benson tells us GandB is doing a fantastic job in finishing the upfit and prepping the boat for new seasons.

Matt plans to take the boat out of the salt, and will be moving it to Lake Chauatuqua.  As you might know, Contessa is on that lake, owned by Tom Hubbell. Matt says he just felt like those boats needed to be together, and looks forward to the fun of having two Yankees sailing at the same time. 

Next Chapter

Hats off to Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway for the expert rebuild of Y39 Lot’s Wife. It's been refitted with a new backbone, keel, and forekeel, as well as new frames, floors, cockpit coamings, side, and after decks. In line with the upgrades of Y42 and Y43, its scantlings have been reinforced for added strength.

Now, at 70 years old, Y39 is ready for a new chapter of sailing, blending classic beauty with modern brawn.

Y39 Rebuild

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Sail1Design

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February 11, 2010 by Sail1Design Editor Leave a Comment

The Atlantic one-design is a classic keel boat designed for club racing and fast sailing.  30′ overall, the Atlantic was designed by Starling Burgess in 1929 for racing on Long Island Sound.  Within two years, one hundred of the boats were built in Germany, shipped across the ocean, and began an 80 year tradition of close, competitive racing.   In the late 1950’s a mold was made for a fiber glass hull, and today’s Atlantics are solid, modern boats with flotation tanks, aluminum spars, and dacron sails but they retain the classic good looks and solid performance of the original design.

Length:  30’

Active Fleets: There are currently active Atlantic fleets in Cold Spring Harbor, NY, Westport and Niantic, CT, and Blue Hill, ME.

Crew: 3 or 4 sailors

Class Website: www.atlanticclass.org

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The Magic of Karl’s Boatshop

Karl Anderson is working in his shop when he stops to answer what should be a straightforward question: How many boats do you own? After a lengthy pause, the 64-year-old responds, “I don’t even know.” Yet the answer can be found with a thorough inspection of the grounds outside the door of Karl’s Boat Shop in Harwich, Massachusetts. What a passing motorist on Great Western Road might assume is just another Cape Cod nautical junkyard has an eclectic collection of vessels ranging from beautifully maintained racers to unfinished projects. Anderson owns a lot of them—some by choice, a few by trade, but most by chance or unpaid invoices.

When I pay him a visit, and our discussion turns to an obscure design by Ray Hunt, Anderson perks up. “I have one of those in the woods out back,” he says. “You can have it if you want it.”

This is not an attempt to bribe a reporter into writing a more favorable story, just a fact that it is there for the taking.

One reason Anderson has so many boats in his possession is because he has always had a fondness for things that float (or should float). He learned to sail on the waters of Cape Cod in general and Dennis in particular, first in Turnabouts and then in O’Day Widgeons. His first Rhodes 18 was a boat that had washed up on shore, upside down with the centerboard stuck in it.

In 1973, Anderson begged his mother for the $800 to buy it, and an older sailor advised him on how to restore it. He started sailing with his friends Chris Cooney and Wick Shepherdson. Four years later, Anderson had sorted the boat and made a name for himself in the class. At the helm of his parents’ Ford LTD station wagon, a water buffalo of a tow vehicle, Anderson and his crew drove north to Biddeford, Maine, for the Rhodes 18 Nationals. Before the team entered the tunnel in Boston, Anderson looked up and noticed his father, who turns 100 this year, waving from a bridge above. The drive home was a fun one, as the team won the national title.

A love of sailing motivated Anderson to open his boat-repair shop in 1983. The firm’s philosophy is summarized in five words: “Have fun working on boats.” And work on them he does. But first, he sails on many of them so he can develop a feel for what they need. One case in point is the J/24. Way back, Anderson started out sailing with sailmaker Dan Neri on his J/24 in Newport and then jumped into a boat with Ken Read. Back in the 1980s, brand-new J/24s needed substantial modifications to be optimized, and he was the guy to do it.

Anderson’s philosophy of boat preparation is the same today. “My method is the blades first. You make the blades the best,” Anderson says. “Secondly, make sure the rig is aligned with the blades, centered side to side. If the rig can’t be centered side to side, what’s the best compromise? Then the bottom. I might even go rigging, ease of use, then the bottom after that because if you can’t tack the boat, it doesn’t matter how good the bottom is.”

Read, now president of North Sails, is a busy man but eager to make time to talk about his boatwright of choice. He quips, “Is this for an article…or a book?”

They started sailing together in the late 1980s and have a lot of time on the water. Read credits Anderson as a critical factor in what he describes as a division of responsibilities.

“Karl was in charge of the boat from the waterline down. Someone else was in charge of the waterline up. I was in charge of the sails. Moose [McClintock] was in charge of the safety gear.”

It was a different era. Professional ­sailors didn’t get paid to sail. They all had jobs, and if they sailed well and won regattas, it boosted their businesses. Anderson worked on boats. Read sold sails, and success on the racecourse was good business. And they still had fun. At the J/24 North Americans in San Francisco, for example, the team could work late into the night to prepare the charter boat. Or they could get most of the work done, knock off early and attend a Grateful Dead show. The vote was unanimous, and Read, Anderson and the rest of the crew saw the Dead in their natural habitat.

After more victories in the J/24 and Etchells than he can recall, Read is quick to credit Anderson. “Karl has a lot of talent and not a lot of ego. I think it comes from a blue-collar mentality. Whenever he introduced himself, he would say, ‘Karl Anderson, Karl’s Boat Shop, Karl with a K.’ He doesn’t mind getting dirty. Anybody who knows how to use tools and doesn’t mind fairing the damn keel himself is naturally going to have less of an ego. It’s work ethic, family, surroundings, what he does for a living. It’s never pretty with Karl, but it somehow works. If you said to him that the bottom needs to be perfect, it was perfect, exactly to the tolerances you were looking for. He doesn’t do things conventionally, but he always does things right. The guy just wins.”

McClintock has sailed with Read and Anderson a fair bit too and says, “Sailing is a sport where you have to earn your respect, and Karl’s earned it with everybody.”

Part of Anderson’s reputation is his demeanor. McClintock says he’s never seen Anderson angry. He’s also quick to note that he’s a great athlete. “He looks like a dumpy guy, but he’s not. He’s quick, he’s agile, he can ski, he can play hockey, and he’s one of the best technical crews you’ll ever see. I learn from him every time I sail with him. He’s really good at making boats go fast.”

While Read is a well-known sailor around the globe, he is not the most famous customer of Karl’s Boat Shop—not by a long shot. That honor belongs to the late, great Sen. Edward Kennedy. For a decade and a half, the senator entrusted Anderson with the care of his beloved Ray Hunt-designed 50-foot Concordia schooner Mya .

Anderson went sailing with Kennedy on numerous occasions. With a grin, he recalls being out on Mya for a sail and saying, “Senator, there are rocks over there.” To which the senator replied, “I’ve been sailing these waters for 50 years; there are no rocks there!”

About two minutes later, the boat stopped—abruptly.

Anderson and his colleague John Sheehan made news when they lost control of Mya during a delivery at the end of the season and put the boat aground in the soft sand of Cold Storage Beach in East Dennis. The famous vessel was later pulled to safety by a tugboat. The damage was minor.

Many sailors on Cape Cod are summer people, so when the crocus and daffodils are popping through the underbrush, so too is the pace at the cluttered boat shop. “We have a very seasonal group that comes here for the summer. They race the local boats, such as the Wianno Seniors,” Anderson says. “They come the first week of June, and then they’re gone the week after Labor Day. They have a certain amount of time, and they don’t want to miss anything, so if something breaks, they want it fixed yesterday.”

Few people in the boat-restoration business are fortunate enough to have created an iconic product that is an embodiment of who they are. The Karl’s Boat Shop tiller is a thing of beauty, a shape that can be identified from afar. In keeping with the philosophy of the shop, the tiller wasn’t a creation based on divine inspiration. It was a sublime answer to a practical problem.

A sailor by the name of Rick Bishop didn’t like the feeling of the stock, straight J/24 tiller hitting him in the back of the legs. Anderson thought about it for a bit and ­created a design with a distinctive bend.

At the time, his shop was laminating ribs for a boat. Anderson gathered up the scraps and fabricated the first of his iconic tillers. “They were made from quarter-inch strips,” he says. “We always said it was mahogany, but it’s really red cedar. That’s how we got them so light. If you don’t varnish them, they will go 10 years. Some guys have them for 20 years. Each tiller receives two coats of sealer, three coats of varnish. The varnish of choice is Epifanes.”

Two of Anderson’s tillers, one for a J/22 and another for a J/24, are mounted on the wall of professional sailor Chris Larson’s home because of the wars they have been through and the great memories they recall. After Read moved on to other classes, Larson inherited Anderson and went on to win the J/24 Worlds with him in 1996.

Larson is quick to corroborate Anderson’s meticulous boat preparation. “Karl was always the master of figuring out what to do next with boat optimization. Once you got the boat back from him, you were confident that it was sorted. You had to have good boat mechanics, get a good start, and if all of that worked out, you were going to have a good event.”

Larson adds that Anderson is the kind of guy who simply gets the job done. “It doesn’t matter what you have to do,” Larson says. “His wasn’t a shop where everything was pretty. It was a get-it-done approach. That’s just how Karl operates. He was always one of those larger-than-life guys, always part of the team. Everybody in the boat park knows Karl. He has a personality that everyone likes and respects. He’s the good part of sailing, the nostalgic history of the evolution of certain classes. In the J/24, he was in the middle of it all, and it would not have been the same without him.”

Professional sailors are not the only customers Anderson caters to. Mark Hillman is a highly accomplished Corinthian competitor who has owned a fleet of racing boats, including five J/24s and a J/70. When Anderson was working on his J/24 (No. 196 named Dr. Feelgood ), he arrived to find there were still some details that needed tending to. “We enjoyed a vacation in Chatham while we waited for the boat to be ready,” Hillman says. It was worth the wait; Hillman would later finish third in the J/24 World Championship and win the East Coasts.

A lot of boat shops have come and gone since 1983, but what has kept the doors open at Anderson’s place makes complete sense. “Stay away from building boats,” Anderson says, looking up from an invoice on his cluttered desk. He has built a few ­custom boats and restored countless yachts, but he has never been lured into the production boatbuilding business. It’s too volatile. Instead, seasonal work, hauling and storage keep the lights on. The race-boat stuff is a passion. Then there are the friends who show up with interesting projects.

Anderson has been in the business long enough that some of the boats he has restored over the years are ready for a second restoration. One he’s trying to get back on the water is Wizard , an aptly named 40-foot 1959 Concordia yawl designed by Ray Hunt, which is hibernating in a well-loved boat barn toward the back of Anderson’s property. If he can convince one or two partners to join him, and find the time between a busy race schedule and running the shop, Wizard will set sail again on Cape Cod—someday.

Wizard is a big project, one that will ­consume a substantial amount of time, talent and money. But with a twinkle in his eyes, Anderson says he’s bought plenty of things he couldn’t afford over the years, but somehow he found a way to pay for them. Sweat equity is how, and at Karl’s Boat Shop, there’s plenty of it. The work is dirty. And it’s messy. But the result is always fast.

The post The Magic of Karl’s Boatshop appeared first on Sailing World .

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