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Class Contact Information
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Class Email
Class Website
One-Design Class Type: Keelboat
Was this boat built to be sailed by youth or adults? Both
Approximately how many class members do you have? 300
Photo Credit:Patrick Tregenza
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Photo Credit: Bill Brine
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About Shields
Conceived by Cornelius Shields in the 1960’s as a fiberglass renewal of his cherished IOD class, this Sparkman and Stephens design remains the finest one-design sailboat ever produced. With active fleets sailing throughout the Northeast, Chesapeake Bay, Lake Michigan and California, Shields are raced by sailors who love to compete. At 30′ this 4,ooo lb. keelboat will impress you with its ability perform on windward legs and will delight the crew with its ability to drive deep while running. Don’t dismiss this as “just another pretty boat” until you have experienced the essence of one-design racing in a Shields. Very affordable, Shields sailboats have remained true to their original charter and maintain strict class rules on sail purchases to create a level playing field for all competitors. If you are interested in owning a Shields or starting a fleet, please contact us at [email protected]
Shields Class Foundation – Information- https://shieldsclassfoundation.org
Boats Produced: 259
Class boat builder(s):
Cape Cod Shipbuilding
Approximately how many boats are in the USA/North America? 175
Where is your One-Design class typically sailed in the USA? List regions of the country:
New England, Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay and California
Does this class have a spinnaker or gennaker? Yes
How many people sail as a crew including the helm? 3-5
Ideal combined weight of range of crew: 900
Boat Designed in 1962
Length (feet/inches): 30′ 2 1/2″
Beam: 6′ 5 1/4″
Weight of rigged boat without sails: 4600
Draft: 4’9″
Mast Height: 39′ 4 5/8″
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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.
- PDF: Rigging Guide
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- Guide: Updating & Restoring an Old Laser
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- Guide: Laser Line Lengths Race / Laser Line Lengths Rec/Classic
- Guide: Laser Spar Rivet Guide
- Videos: Laser Rigging on YouTube
- Shop: Laser Parts & Accessories
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- Guide: C420 Line Lengths
- Shop: C420 Parts & Accessories
FJ (Flying Junior)
- Guide: FJ Line Lengths
- Shop: FJ Parts & Accessories
- PDF: McLaughlin Owners Manual
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- PDF: Guide to School Spars
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- Shop: Opti Parts & Accessories
- PDF: Rigging & Assembly Guide
- Shop: Tasar Parts & Accessories
- Shop: 29er Parts & Accessories
Vanguard 15
- Shop: V-15 Parts & Accessories
- Guide: Hobie 16 Line Lengths
- Shop: H16 Parts & Accessories
- Shop: H14 Parts & Accessories
- Shop: H17 Parts & Accessories
- Shop: H18 Parts & Accessories
Hobie Bravo
- Shop: Bravo Parts & Accessories
- Shop: Wave Parts & Accessories
Hobie Getaway
- Shop: Getaway Parts and Accessories
Hobie Adventure Island
- Shop: Adventure Island Parts & Accessories
Hobie Tandem Island
- Shop: Tandem Island Parts & Accessories
Hobie Kayaks
- PDF: Universal Parts Locator & Diagram
- PDF: Hobie Mirage Drive Parts
- PDF: Hobie Mirage Drive 180 Parts
- PDF: Hobie Kayak P&A Catalog
- Shop: All Hobie Kayak Parts
- PDF: Parts Locator and Diagram
- Link: RS Aero Class Association
- Shop: RS Aero Parts & Accessories
- Link: RS Feva Class Association
- Shop: RS Feva Parts & Accessories
- Shop: RS Quest Parts & Accessories
- Shop: RS Quba Parts & Accessories
- Link: RS Tera Class Association
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- Video: RS 21 Overview on YouTube
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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.
- Shop: Blocks & Hardware
- Link: Class Association
Flying Scot
- Link: Class Builder
Hobie Tiger
- Link: Hobie Support Page
Hobie 21SC/21SE
Hobie Holder 14
Hobie Holder 12
- Link: SailboatData.com Page
- Link: Class Association Page
Coronado 15
Additional Resources
We stock over 10,000 unique items, but we still don't have every part or every solution for every sailor. Here are a few resources we recommend if you need advice or parts for boats we do not directly support or do not have specific one design or replacement fittings available for.
- 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.
- Dwyer Aluminum Mast Company - US based suppler of aluminum mast extrusions and fittings, including universal hardware.
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The Caribbean’s Hot One-Design Fleet
- By Dave Reed
- August 13, 2024
![list of one design sailboats St. Maarten Heineken Regatta](https://www.sailingworld.com/uploads/2024/08/HR2024thu_%C2%A9LaurensMorel_LM5_4852-1024x768.jpg)
I’d love to look around and enjoy the scenery, but I can’t take my eyes off the leeward bow that’s slicing through the Caribbean at 20 knots. I’d been advised earlier: The fine line between full-tilt and pitchpole is somewhere right around the chine on the wave-piercing bow. The warning also came with a caveat: “The faster we go, the safer we go.”
That’s the wisdom of Pierre Altiere, a master of the Diam 24 trimaran, with whom I’ve scored a ride for the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. The point of the exercise is to experience firsthand the hottest one-design fleet in the Caribbean. Altiere’s boat is named Cry Baby , which I may eventually come to understand, but right here, right now, all I can think about is the gust breathing down my neck.
I ease the gennaker sheet in my hand and watch the bow submerge. Oh, sh-t, I think. Here we go. I’ve seen pictures of Diams tumbleweeding, but the bow porpoises. A ball of seawater smacks the forward beam and explodes into a cloud of sunlight sparkles and foam.
With a jab of the tiller bar, Altiere redirects the boat and reloads the sails. The daggerboard hums a few octaves higher as we skim across the shallow blue flats of Phillipsburg Bay. It’s thrilling and a little terrifying, and thankfully, we’re just getting started.
It’s an early March morning on St. Maarten’s Kim Sha Beach, on the bustling Dutch coast where six identical 24-foot trimarans sit under palm trees, surrounded by umbrellas, chaise lounges and rental kayaks. Four other Diams swing on their anchors a doggie-paddle’s distance from the beach. This is the homegrown Diam 24 One Design fleet, which in a few short years has multiplied from three to 10. Soon enough, Altiere promises, if his Diam dream scheme pans out, we will be looking at as many as 20.
![list of one design sailboats Pierre Altiere](https://www.sailingworld.com/uploads/2024/08/GPTempDownload-12-1024x768.jpg)
Altiere, I’m told, is the spark, the one who started it all, and judging by the parade of sailors seeking him out for advice, parts, assistance and you name it, it’s obvious that not much happens without Altiere. As we rig our own boat, interrupted by phone calls and favors, he gives me a quick lowdown on the Diam, which was created by Vianney Ancelin, a French multihull sailor and boatbuilder. Ancelin’s vision was a recreational multihull that average sailors could handle—sporty but not lethal, high-tech but not overpriced. That was the idea before the Tour de France a Voile—a multistage regatta—adopted the Diam as its official one-design. Pro race teams with million-dollar budgets promptly priced amateurs out the class, and then the pandemic put a fork in the Tour. The builder, ADH Inotec, stopped production at just north of 100 boats. With the Tour on hold, however, there was suddenly a pile of secondhand race-ready boats, many with containers full of unused spares, most fetching $20,000 to $30,000.
Enter Altiere, the tall, jovial and hard-charging Frenchman who taught at a sailing school as a young man and then opened his own in Tahiti before landing in St. Maarten, where he operates a thriving private catamaran charter business. As a top-level F18 catamaran sailor not far back in the day, a friend once invited him to race a Diam in France. He knew little to nothing about the boat at the time. “As an F18 sailor, I knew what I was doing,” he says. “I hadn’t raced [in Brittany] in 20 years, but we somehow made it onto the podium, everyone applauded us, and I enjoyed it so much that the next day we started talking about becoming an agent for North America.”
He did, but the big continent was impossible to crack, so he pivoted to a better plan: bring potential buyers to the boat and give them a taste. Step 1: Establish a Diam base at home in St. Maarten and show off the boats. Step 2: Enter them into the region’s big-draw regattas: the Heineken and Les Voiles de St. Barth.
![list of one design sailboats Diam 24](https://www.sailingworld.com/uploads/2024/08/IMG_8320-1024x768.jpg)
“There’s nothing better than an easy flight to St. Maarten, throwing your bag in the hotel, and jumping onto a Diam that same day,” Altiere says. “Just like me, I was offered a chance, I had a great experience, and right after that, I bought a boat. That’s the easy-regatta concept here: Fly in, race, celebrate, fly out.”
And that’s how “sort-of” New Yorker Adam Holmes and his buddies Ben Ferraro and Bob Young were lured to Kim Sha in late March for the Heineken Regatta. Holmes, an advertising executive and Long Island-based racing sailor, had heard about the Diam fleet through a friend in St. Maarten, who connected him with Altiere, who had one charter boat available for the Heineken Regatta.
How much for a good time?
Five-grand—tops—according to Holmes’ mental math, and that was with a top-shelf condo, on the water, for a week. Altiere’s charter fee, which included four days of racing and two days of practice, was only $3,700—worth every penny on the speed-to-dollar scale. For months, the three of them exchanged Diam sailing videos that they found online. “That was like the start of the adrenaline rush,” Young says, and when they jumped on board for their first figure-it-out-yourself session in St. Maarten, the real thing was a real rush.
“We didn’t get a very detailed briefing before our first sail,” Holmes says. “At one point on the first practice day, we were sending it at like 19 knots, and the hull was so far underwater. Bob had the kite strapped in hard and we were just flying…like really, really on the edge. The Diam guys following us in the RIB and yelling at us in French were freaking out because we hadn’t yet signed any paperwork.”
“At the time,” Ferraro adds with a laugh, “we had no idea we were on the edge—we didn’t know any better.”
But with a few more hours of practice and less than 30 minutes of one-on-one with Altiere, they were ready enough to throw themselves straight into the races. Ferraro was nominated to drive, Holmes got the back-breaking main trimmer’s spot, and Young took on the busy end at the front of the cockpit.
![list of one design sailboats Jonny Goldsberry](https://www.sailingworld.com/uploads/2024/08/HR2024sat_%C2%A9LaurensMorel_LM5_7323-1024x768.jpg)
On the first morning, the breeze is up to 15 knots, and even though the start is in 90 minutes, the vibe on Kim Sha is bizarrely relaxed. Beach attendants rake the sand for the inbound tourists while sailors wander about in farmer-john wetsuits, surf trunks and rash guards, most of them conversing in fast-paced French and tinkering with their boats.
Among them is Erick Clement, one of the originals. He is a master of the Caribbean multihull racing scene and enjoying his retirement from F18 catamaran racing. Daily yoga, and healthy eating keep him young and in Diam-worthy shape.
“The speed is good and the boat is not complicated, but you have to get a feeling for it,” he tells me in his best broken English. “When everything is right, the steering is balanced perfectly, and you listen for the noise of the daggerboard—that helps you know when it is right.”
As a simple three-crew boat, the roles are straightforward. Whoever has the pleasure of helm also gets the traveler—the capsize preventer. The middle crew manhandles the insanely loaded mainsheet, trims the gennaker, and assists with dousing it. The forward crew is responsible for the self-tacking jib sheet, sail controls (outhaul, cunningham, mast rotator), gennaker hoisting and the daggerboard. Between calling tactics and jibing angles, housekeeping the trampoline, and watching for traffic, it’s an active boat for all involved, especially when big-breeze buoy racing in St. Maarten.
“All crew are super-important,” Clement adds. “If one is not playing the game, you can’t do anything. You have to have a good balance with each other.”
That will be a problem for us on Altiere’s Cry Baby because we are rotating new teammates every day. With us for the first day is a strapping young Frenchman named Corentin, who goes by Coco. He’s one of Altiere’s charter boat captains and has some Diam racing experience, which is good because we’re straight into the first start without a lick of practice. It’s a chaotic five minutes of weaving through rush-hour traffic: big custom raceboats, cruisers, bareboats and two 100-footers, all pinging the starting line.
The Diam will go from zero to 15 rapidly, but it’s not the kind of boat you can luff-and-hover on the start. Full speed is Altiere’s preferred approach, and with 45 seconds remaining in the opening sequence, he is stalking next to the committee boat, mentally calculating the layline and time to kill. But the other boats are stacking up at the starboard end, making what looks to be an impossible entry. But, hey, Altiere is the man and the defending champ. This is his domain. Who am I to doubt?
At 30 seconds, he booms, “OK. We go!”
And go we do, bearing away to full hum, straight toward the big catamaran committee boat. Just when it looks like he is going to pull off a high-speed barging start, Holmes and his crew tack in front of us and stuff the boat into irons—three sun-creamed deer in our headlights.
It’s either them or the committee boat, but Altiere pulls the hand break, and we coast to a near stop. The bow of our center hull disappears beneath the catamaran’s bridge deck, and the starboard bow just clears the cat’s starboard transom. I run forward and push off, and Altiere apologizes while cursing the New Yorkers for their erratic driving.
![list of one design sailboats Alexis de Boucaud](https://www.sailingworld.com/uploads/2024/08/HR2024thu_%C2%A9LaurensMorel_LM6_0654-1024x768.jpg)
“I mean…it was our first race, and we were still trying to figure out how to tack the damn thing,” Young says. “That was a little nutty.”
“OK, let’s go,” Altiere shouts once again. More trim!” And with that, we’re chasing down the fleet. I pull the mainsheet as hard as I humanly can. The sail is board-flat and the telltales are streaming.
“More trim!” he shouts again. “We do it together.”
He reaches forward with his big right arm, grabs hold of the sheet with one hand, and together we grunt another 2 feet. The weather hull rises higher, and then the center hull breaks the surface. I’m staring at the line that Altiere had drawn on the bow with a Sharpie. That’s my fine-line guide for the week.
“More speed,” he says. “We will get them.”
I pull but get only another inch. He reaches in and gets another 6, finds his gear, and lets it rip.
The collective opinion on Kim Sha is that Altiere is the best sailor in the fleet, and I can see why. He effortlessly threads the trimaran around oncoming traffic, across big waves, and through giant puffs that pin other boats on their ear. He will dive to leeward of another boat and sail right through its lee. Downwind, he sits inside the center hull, hunched, with his hand behind him on the tiller bar, laser-focused. He senses every subtlety of the boat and knows what it will do before it does it. And more than once, when we sail into a lull and our speed drops, he puts his hand up in the air and says, “Bwaah…come on, wind, what is wrong with you?”
He’s seriously annoyed with the breeze for denying him his speed.
The first race is a windward/leeward blur, and we somehow manage a midfleet finish. Same for the others that follow, but our mishaps reflect our thrown-togetherness. We’re fast in a straight line thanks to Altiere’s skills, but every slip-up is a dozen boatlengths lost—and that’s no lie.
Back on Kim Sha, there’s a beach bar 10 feet from the boats. It’s got reggae, cold beer and cheeseburgers in paradise. The fellas from New York are happy to be back on the beach with their recovery juices in hand.
“That was kind of devastating,” Ferraro says. “We were miles behind on all the races, like it was not even close. We weren’t going to drink, but then all of sudden, we’re standing there with a drink in our hand and were like, ‘What just happened?’”
Young isn’t bothered at all about the results. He’s whipped, but it’s worth it: “All I remember was thinking, I’ve never gone that fast on a sailboat. I think our top speed was 20.7. The sound of the boat and that hum going at that speed was just like, holy sh-t. Let’s just hold on.”
With the wind forecast to peak into the mid-20s, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta’s legendary around-the-island race is next on the to-do list. Big island, big breeze and it’ll be big-time fun, Altiere promises me when we meet at the beach and introduces me to Camille, another of his charter boat captains. She’s petite, and Altiere confesses he had miscalculated the wind forecast when lining up crew for the regatta.
“We will struggle a bit upwind because weight is very important,” he says, slapping a big hand on my shoulder and cracking a big smile. “But we will be very, very fast on the reaches.”
And he isn’t kidding.
To start our circumnavigation, the race committee dispatches us on a short upwind leg. Once we turn downwind and deploy the gennaker, we’ve got many miles of open-ocean high-speed tropical send. In these conditions, Altiere is in his element and sails right up to and past boats that got ahead of us on the upwind leg. Our top speed, according to my watch, is 22.9.
But every downhill has uphill, and way too soon we’re furling the gennaker, lashing it to the trampoline, rounding an orange tetrahedron, and pointing three bows into steep, wind-whipped waves.
“More trim!” is all I hear for the next hour, or “More speed!”
Each time, I pull with everything I’ve got, the rope shredding the palms of my cheap gloves. With only the leeward bow in the water, Cry Baby kisses wavetops, making this upwind slugfest that much more enjoyable as we short-tack the island’s coastline. After one final tack to port at the top of the island, Altiere gives us the command we’ve been waiting for: “Go gennaker, now!”
The moment that sucker fills, the daggerboard is singing, water is exploding through holes in the trampoline mesh, and we’re cruising at 20 knots. Altiere carves up and down following seas and reels in the boat to leeward of us as if it’s dragging a drogue. The three of us are pinned to the aft beam, weight back as far as it can possibly go. There will be no pitchpoling today. Lush green island to starboard, sparkling blue sea all the way to the finish. It’s heart-racing tropical sailing the likes of which I’ve never experienced.
Later, as I shuffle to a hotel shower, I get a pop-up alert on my Garmin watch that I’ve never seen before: “Recovery Time Delayed. A high level of activity today slowed your recovery.”
As if I need reminding.
The New Yorkers had a heck of time getting around, unaware of water pouring into an unsealed cockpit hatch, enough to have their Torquedo floating inside the hull. “We were hanging with everyone until we got to the top of the island,” Ferraro says. “But once we got around the top of the island, everyone just peeled away from us. We had no idea why.”
Hundreds of pounds of water sloshing around the center hull will do that to you.
Regatta organizers serve up a feast for the next day, with a full menu that includes a 20-mile distance race to Marigot Bay on the French side of the island, a windward-leeward race in the bay, and a return distance race. Our new crew for the day is 13-year-old local Optimist champ Sarah Micheaux, tiny and timid, but seemingly game for her first Diam outing. She speaks only French, so Altiere explains the ropes.
![list of one design sailboats Sarah Micheaux](https://www.sailingworld.com/uploads/2024/08/HR2024sat_%C2%A9LaurensMorel_LM5_7555-1024x768.jpg)
Before we even strike the line on a high-speed gennaker reaching start, Micheaux is shivering, puking, and white-knuckling Altiere’s leg. While redlining at 20 knots, he pats her on the back like a tender father, assuring her that all is well.
We round the reach mark with Micheaux out of commission, so he hands the tiller to me so he can go forward and rotate the mast by hand. It’s my first go at driving, and my tendency is to drive it like a monohull—oversteering through waves and feathering through the big gusts. Altiere corrects me and keeps goading me: “More speed. Even more speed. Good.”
All I have to do is bear away a few degrees, get the center hull unstuck, and the boat levitates with only the leeward bow punching through the waves.
“See?” he says. “Speed. Always more speed.”
After the ensuing and harried one-lap windward-leeward race in the bay, we’re lining up for the 12-mile return sprint, which is another shot-out-of-a-cannon gennaker start. Thankfully, this race has zero upwind sailing. This one’s a reach-fest, and this is why we reach through life.
“The sail back from Marigot was just epic,” Holmes says. “Just screaming. Unbelievably fun. We were finally starting to get a handle on the boat.”
On the fourth and final day, we’re back to buoy racing, and while there’s more tears than cheers on Cry Baby , the sort-of New Yorkers are feeling their mojo.
“We were in the mix,” Holmes says. “We had good starts, and we were with the group upwind. There are some cool photos of us kind of like leading the bulk of the fleet around the course—at least that’s what it looks like.”
Ferraro agrees that they were sharp upwind, “but downwind, we just couldn’t find the low and fast mode. We couldn’t figure that out.”
That’ll be next year’s challenge.
“I’m looking into buying one,” Holmes says, weeks later, back in the office and scheming with Young to go in on it with him. “It’s easy to get to St. Maarten, and from what I’ve seen, they have these cool regattas and beach parties, the sailing is amazing, and it all looks like so much fun. I think about that boat every day, so I definitely have to get back on it.”
Ferraro is hooked as well. “I can honestly say that after all the stuff that went on during the week, good and bad and stuff like that, even with all the chaos and stuff. That was still the most fun sailing I’ve had in a really long time.”
When, and if, they do get their hands on a Diam, there’s only one place they plan on putting it. “If you’re going to do it right, you gotta keep it in St. Maarten,” Young says.
And that’s how Altiere and his St. Maarten crew will get to 20 boats soon enough. If space on Kim Sha becomes an issue, no problem, he says. There are plenty of beaches on St. Maarten to spread the fun around.
“We’ll figure it out,” Altiere says. “I know we can make this work. The dream is real, and there is room for this kind of full-service experience. It’s a gateway to a sailing vacation.”
Sold. More speed coming my way.
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10 Best Sailboat Brands (And Why)
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Last Updated by
Daniel Wade
December 20, 2023
There's no denying that sailors are certainly a passionate bunch. We’re so passionate about our boats that we always try going for the best sailboats. To make it a lot easier for you, here are the best sailboat brands.
Owning a sailboat is an indulgence that many of us only dream about but very few ever have the privilege of sailing the seas in what they can actually call their own.
While there's nothing wrong with renting a sailboat, the honor of owning one is certain what many sailors dream of.
With a perfectly crafted sailboat as company, gliding through the water, waves, and wind brings some sort of unmatched comfort and peace.
Add this to the fact that sailing takes you far away from the daily hustles and bustles that we've become accustomed to in our daily lives and you'll see why the life of sailing is very appealing to the masses.
But without a proper sailboat, all this fun and the good life of sailing are thrown out of the window.
Contrary to the widespread opinion, owning a sailboat isn't beyond anyone's reach. It's something that we can all achieve. But before getting into that, it's important to know some of the best sailboat brands.
The best sailboat brands will make your life as a sailor a lot easier and more fun. The best sailboat brands have, for decades if not centuries, mastered the art of woodworking. They've dedicated their skills and immense amount of their time to designing and manufacturing nothing but the best quality of sailboats in the industry.
So if you've been looking for the best sailboat brands from all over the world, you've come to the right place. We'll discuss the best of the best, something that will give you a perfect getaway from your normal life.
Table of contents
Must-Have Features for Your Sailboat
Before highlighting the best sailboat brands, it would be appropriate to jog your mind a little with some of the features that must be available in your sailboat.
Choosing a sailboat can sometimes be a matter of compromises. In other words, it's sometimes sensible to accept that a sailboat cannot have all the features that you desire.
As such, it's all about going with a sailboat that has the features that matter to you most.
For this reason, let's look at the most basic features that can make the difference in both safety and comfort while improving your sailing experience.
A Safe and Comfortable Sailing Cockpit
You'll most definitely be spending a huge amount of time in the cockpit. Whether you're keeping watch, trimming sails , helming, or just enjoying the scenery, there's no better place to do all these than from the cockpit. That being said, a good cockpit should have the following.
- Have a good depth for safety reasons and adequate drainage
- Should give you a quick and easy access to jammers, cleats, and other important parts of the winch system
- Should have a seat or seats that are about 35 cm high, 50 to 55 cm wide to provide ideal support
- The seats should be adjustable to offer maximum comfort and allow you to change your position
GPS Chartplotter
Use a GPS Chartplotter once and your sailing will never be the same without it. It not only allows you to map a course but is also a great way of ensuring that your sailboat exactly follows that course. It also gives you constant updates on ocean conditions, weather conditions , and potential hazards such as deadly currents and sandbars.
A GPS Chartplotter is also an important safety device that can help you in some very critical situations while out there on the water.
For instance, it has a man-overboard button that is essentially meant to allow you to receive coordinates of the exact location should someone fall off your boat.
Electric Winch System
This is an amazing addition to any sailboat. It allows you to sheet a jib even in high and strong winds with a simple press of a button. It also gives you the chance of trimming a mainsail easily while still carry out other essential tasks in the sailboat.
An electric winch system can be of great importance, especially if you're short on crew. This is because it can free up some crew members to carry other important tasks. In other words, it can make duties that would otherwise require more crew members a lot easier.
More importantly, an electric winch system can maintain safety even in the roughest of conditions, thereby preventing you and your crew from getting injured. In essence, an electric winch system will make your sailing a lot safer, less stressful, and more enjoyable.
Reverse Osmosis Watermaker
This is a very valuable accessory, especially if you're going on long sea voyages. You can spend days on end without drinking clean and safe water.
As the name suggests, you can use this accessory to turn seawater into purified drinking water. It uses the reverse osmosis method that's essential not only in removing bacteria and parasites from the water but also in turning the water into purified and safe drinking water.
Even though this device is pricey, it's a great way to mitigate the over-reliance on huge water tanks. All you have to do is to ensure that it's properly maintained and you'll have an endless streak of safe drinking water no matter where you are.
Wide and Clutter-free Deck
While the deck is often an overlooked feature of a sailboat, it can be the difference between a great sailing experience and a stressful one. In essence, the deck of a sailboat should be wide enough and clutter-free.
This is significant as it can enable you to quickly access different parts of your sailboat with hindrance or getting tangled. As you can see, this is particularly important in improving safety and reducing stress.
With that in mind, make sure that the deck is organized in such a way that you can have easy access to sails, masts, and winches.
You should, therefore, avoid sailboats with decks that are designed in such a way that you have to climb on top of the cabin just to access these features. Needless to say, this can be quite unstable and very dangerous especially when conditions are rough.
The Best Sailboat Brands and Why
1. hallberg-rassy.
Hallberg-Rassy is a Swedish yacht maker that's very well-known in the blue water cruising circles for making some of the highest quality and sturdiest sailboats. For many sailors, this is the number one sailboat brand as it offers absolute comfort, utmost safety, and good and easy handling.
This brand is not only synonymous with sturdy construction but you won't worry getting soaking wet while out there on the water. This is because it has a well-protected deck and cockpit, finished with nice woodwork, and has a powerful engine with a big tankage just to ensure that you can go on long voyages.
When designing its sailboats, this brand has made it a norm to add some features that stand out from the rest. For instance, the bowsprit is an integral feature that makes sailing a Hallberg-Rassy quite easy and much enjoyable. This is because it grants easy access to and from the deck. Its electric anchor winches facilitate smooth maneuvering. Even more, its large steering wheels makes it much easier to control the boat even in the roughest of conditions. In essence, this brand has features that provide good control and an extra sense of safety.
Although this brand has evolved over the years, you'll easily recognize it even from a distance. And why is this? A Hallberg-Rassy never goes out of style. This is a unique sailboat brand that has always stayed true to its principles and concept. No matter which part of the world you go, Hallberg-Rassy will remain the undisputed king of blue water cruising.
2. Nautor's Swan
For over 50 years, Nautor's Swan has endlessly raised the sailing levels by designing and manufacturing new sailboat models that not only push the boundaries but also meet that many requirements and demands of sailors across the world. Thanks to its wide range of seaworthy, timeless, elegant, and highly-performing sailboats, the Nautor's Swan remains one of the best if not the best sailboat makers in the world.
Based in Jakobstad, Finland, this brand has severally set the industry standard with its speedy and sleek models such as the Swan 48, Swan 65, Swan 98, Swan 78, and Swan 120. These models have one thing in common: they never compromise on safety. As a brand that puts safety first, it ensures that its models are made of foam-cored glass fiber and reinforced both with carbon-fiber and epoxy. In essence, Nautor's Swan is widely revered for its unmatched seafaring and safety records.
Additionally, Nautor's Swan models are incredibly responsive. You can easily tell this just by the feel of the wheel. This brand has models that will gracefully slice through the biggest of waves with ease. That's not all; the interior of these models that are very comfortable even when the going gets tough. This is, without a doubt, a brand that strives to create self-contained worlds with each model.
3. Beneteau
This is perhaps the most selling sailboat brand in the world. For over a century now, this brand has based its models in a combination of simplicity and performance. This is a brand that will serve you just right across all latitudes and in all circumstances. Whether you prefer the Oceanis Yacht 62 or the Figaro Beneteau 3, this brand will never let you down on all fronts.
This brand revolves around a simple concept of creating a link around the world. From the deck space to its design and light, this brand does everything possible not just to uniformly transform life at sea but also to open doors to new horizons in a very luxurious yet practical way. Its models are designed with clear deck plans, stable hulls, simplified maneuvering and interior materials and equipment that can be easily personalized.
Whether you're looking for a racing sailboat or something that's designed to explore and enjoy the world in the company of friends and family, Beneteau is a true combination of sensations and simplicity. This is a brand that brings to the seas fun, simplicity, smartness, toughness, safety, intuitiveness, as well as dazzling reinvention.
4. Amel Yachts
Based on the ethos of designing and manufacturing comfortable, robust, and easy-to-handle boats, this French brand has, for over five decades, offered sailors and other sailing enthusiasts the perfect opportunity to explore the seas with the utmost quality, comfort, and more importantly, safety.
Using 100% French know-how, this brand has brought to the sailing world some of the best boats such as the Santorini, the Mango, the Super Maramu, and the Maramu. We would be doing this brand total injustice if we said that they're distinctive. Truth be told, there's nothing comparable to an Amel model. Well Amel was and still is, the ultimate standard by which other sailboat models are measured.
From items such as electric winches and furling, to generators, Watermaker , and washing machine down to the simplest of items such as towels. Spare filters, bathrobes, deck brush, and a boat safe, the Amel is in reality with what the real life of a sailor is and should be.
Although some may say that Amel still has room for improvement in terms of specifications and personalization, it cannot be denied that the Amel is a serious brand that designs and manufactures complete boats. With this brand, you'll be guaranteed of a higher degree of reliability, safety, and an edge of fun while out there on the water.
5. Hinckley Yachts
Based in Maine, United States, Hinckley Yachts is a brand that has been building robust, luxury, and safe sailboats for more than 90 years now. In its sailboat class, you'll find several sailboats that have classic shapes, inner strength, dramatic lines, and features that are absolutely essential in dealing with the challenges of the North Atlantic.
This brand has been successful in integrating impeccable craftsmanship with new technologies to ensure that their models always stand out while articulating advanced sailing practices, timeless aesthetic, robust construction, and the utmost safety. Whether you choose the Bermuda 50, the Sou'wester 53 or any model for that matter, you'll never be short of advanced performance based on the best design and technology.
In terms of features, this brand provides sailboat models with modern performance hulls. These hulls are constructed with inner layers of carbon, outer layers of Kevlar, and are aligned with computer-designed load paths. Every feature is designed without compromising comfort.
To this end, this brand offers you a perfect combination of both fun and sail. This brand offers more than just sailing. Instead, it offers a unique sailing experience that's combined with the pure joys of sailing in the blue waters with an ease of ownership and maneuverability.
6. Oyster Yachts
If you've been looking for luxury more than anything else, Oyster Yachts provides you with numerous solutions. This British brand is widely known for manufacturing a wide range of luxury cruising sailing yachts. Its sailboats are among the finest in the world and are immensely capable of taking you to some of the far-flung places in the world without having to worry about high winds and hellish waves.
Whether you choose the iconic Oyster 565 or the immense Oyster 595 you never fall short of experiencing the new world like never before. These are models that will enable you to own your adventure, choose your destination, set your courses, pick your anchorage, and stay safe at all times. If you want to hold the wheel and pull the sail while feeling the tang of salt spray on your face, Oyster Yachts is the way to go.
This is, unquestionably, a brand that's meant for you if you want to explore the seas in comfort, luxury and utmost safety. From craftsmanship, sailboat design, to hull, deck, and keel configurations, everything is designed to allow you to circumnavigate the world in comfort, elegance, and style.
7. Tartan Yachts
Based in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, there's arguably no better to begin your sailing adventures than with a sailboat designed and manufactured by Tartan Yachts. With several award-winning designs and construction, this brand is widely known for providing easy handling, great performance, and an ultimately stable platform.
This brand always strives to deliver a unique and the best possible experience to every sailor. As a brand, Tartan fully understands that every sailor has his/her unique sailing needs. As such every component of their models is designed with engineering levels that guarantee optimum performance, excellent on-deck visibility, and luxurious interior.
From the Tartan 5300, the Tartan 4300, the Tartan 345 to the New 365 and the Fantail, this brand makes it a priority to ensure that its models are among the strongest, lightest, and more importantly, the safest in the sailing industry. In essence, this brand can be ideal if you appreciate performance. It has rewarding sailing features both in narrow water lines and wider passages. Add this to its easy handling and you'll have a top-notch performer in virtually every condition.
8. Catalina Yachts
As one of the most popular boat manufacturers in the world, this American brand is widely revered for building the sturdiest boats that can hold up perfectly well in real-world conditions. These are generally family-oriented boats that are intelligently designed to ensure that your entire family can have fun out there on the water.
Some of the models include the cruiser series such as the Catalina 315, the Catalina 385, the Catalina 425 while the sport series include the Catalina 12.5 Expo, the Catalina 16.5, and the Catalina 14.2 Expo. As the current winner of the "Boat of the Year" Cruising World, you'll rarely go wrong with a Catalina model.
It offers a wide range of sailboat sizes that suits your lifestyle. This brand makes it a priority to ensure that all their models are not only safe but offer the best ownership and sailing experience. If anything, this brand is widely known to have one of the most excellent resale values in the sailing industry.
9. Island Packet Yachts
From the IP 525, the IP 439 to the IP 379, the Island Packet Yachts is a brand that encourages its customers not to keep the world waiting. This brand is meant for sailors who want to explore the world in utmost comfort and safety.
The first thing you'll notice in an IP sailboat is its large aft deck. This is not only perfect for sunbathing but can also serve you well if you want an impromptu dinner with friends and family while out there on the water. The living space is also large enough to carry most of your belongings, which is an added advantage especially if you've been planning to spend longer periods in the seas.
With modern evolution and refinement, as well as proven features, this brand is known to offer sailors maximum comfort, luxury, and safety. You'll have better access to the cockpit, have enough space, and are excellently designed to provide superior seafaring and the best features to enable you to spend extended periods when cruising.
10. Sparkman & Stephens
For more than 90 years, Sparkman & Stephens has been at the forefront of the belief that sailboat excellence goes beyond hull lines and deck plans. Instead, this brand believes in excellent naval architecture, innovation, sophistication, and beauty. This is a brand that has laid the foundation of sailboat as a sport not just in America but all over the world.
These models have graced the world for decades and bring immense pleasure to their owners in terms of innovation, performance, and excellence. Though rooted in tradition, the brand has pushed sophistication, technology, and sailing experience to a whole new level. You'll be a proud owner of the Sparkman & Stephens model.
There you have it; these are the best sailboat brands in the world. Although there are several other sailboat brands to choose from, the-above described brands stand shoulder above others in terms of quality, safety, performances and luxury.
Hopefully, you're at a much better place when it comes to choosing a sailboat that suits your lifestyle, needs, and budget .
Happy sailing!
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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.
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40 Best Sailboats
- By Cruising World Editors
- Updated: May 24, 2024
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Sailors are certainly passionate about their boats, and if you doubt that bold statement, try posting an article dubbed “ 40 Best Sailboats ” and see what happens.
Barely had the list gone live, when one reader responded, “Where do I begin? So many glaring omissions!” Like scores of others, he listed a number of sailboats and brands that we were too stupid to think of, but unlike some, he did sign off on a somewhat upbeat note: “If it weren’t for the presence of the Bermuda 40 in Cruising World’s list, I wouldn’t even have bothered to vote.”
By vote, he means that he, like hundreds of other readers, took the time to click through to an accompanying page where we asked you to help us reshuffle our alphabetical listing of noteworthy production sailboats so that we could rank them instead by popularity. So we ask you to keep in mind that this list of the best sailboats was created by our readers.
The quest to building this list all began with such a simple question, one that’s probably been posed at one time or another in any bar where sailors meet to raise a glass or two: If you had to pick, what’re the best sailboats ever built?
In no time, a dozen or more from a variety of sailboat manufacturers were on the table and the debate was on. And so, having fun with it, we decided to put the same question to a handful of CW ‘s friends: writers and sailors and designers and builders whose opinions we value. Their favorites poured in and soon an inkling of a list began to take shape. To corral things a bit and avoid going all the way back to Joshua Slocum and his venerable Spray —Hell, to Noah and his infamous Ark —we decided to focus our concentration on production monohull sailboats, which literally opened up the sport to anyone who wanted to get out on the water. And since CW is on the verge or turning 40, we decided that would be a nice round number at which to draw the line and usher in our coming ruby anniversary.
If you enjoy scrolling through this list, which includes all types of sailboats, then perhaps you would also be interested in browsing our list of the Best Cruising Sailboats . Check it out and, of course, feel free to add your favorite boat, too. Here at Cruising World , we like nothing better than talking about boats, and it turns out, so do you.
– LEARN THE NAVIGATION RULES – Know the “Rules of the Road” that govern all boat traffic. Be courteous and never assume other boaters can see you. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
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40. Moore 24
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39. Pearson Vanguard
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38. Dufour Arpege 30
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37. Alerion Express 28
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36. Mason 43/44
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35. Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43DS
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34. Nor’Sea 27
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32. Beneteau Sense 50
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31. Nonsuch 30
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30. Swan 44
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29. C&C Landfall 38
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28. Gulfstar 50
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27. Sabre 36
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26. Pearson Triton
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16. Morris 36
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- Sun Fast 30 One Design
The fruit of a collaboration between key players in the marine industry – with naval architects at VPLP Design and with Multiplast – the Sun Fast 30 One Design is an innovative, powerful, and versatile 30-foot sailboat aiming to make offshore sailing more accessible, more fun, and more sustainable.
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A One Design Made for Offshore Racing
The Sun Fast 30 One Design has the ambition of turning a new page on offshore racing, offering a monotype dedicated to multi-day competitions, accessible to amateurs and to a new generation. At a reasonable price, they can acquire a One Design entirely made in France, perfectly equipped for racing, and easy to maintain. This One Design class will become a reference in offshore sailing, with a vast schedule of international races that promise to be exhilarating.
Objective: Performance and Sensations
Each of the three partners in the project contributed their expertise to produce a sailboat that delivers an exceptional performance. The Sun Fast 30 One Design benefits from the latest advances in infusion-moulded construction, guaranteeing resistance and rigidity at a reduced weight. The slightly rounded bow, inspired by scow design, promises thrills and power at any speed. Equipment on board, such as the autopilot and electronics, is well adapted for double-handed, and even single-handed, offshore racing.
A Recyclable Production Model Sailboat
A sailboat demonstrating remarkable performance, the Sun Fast 30 One Design is no less respectful of the environment. This is the first production model sailboat built from a recyclable composite material. By integrating the durability criteria from sailboat racing class rules, as well as equipment carefully selected and designed for intensive offshore use, the Sun Fast 30 One Design marks a major advance toward more environmentally responsible sailing.
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November 30, 1999 by Sail1Design Editor 2 Comments
The Blue Jay continues to be one of the leading one-design, sloop-rigged sailboats in existence today. Fathered by Drake H. Sparkman, head of the New York designing firm of Sparkman and Stephens, Inc. after his tenure as chairman of a yacht club junior sailing program, the Blue Jay was pencil drawn in 1947. Designed as a “ baby Lightning” it became an all-around junior training boat and now has numbers over 7,200. It is used not only in novice programs in yacht clubs from Florida to Maine, but also in teen’s, men’s, and women’s events. Originally constructed of wood, the IBJCA voted in the early 1960s to allow fiberglass, however, wooden boats are still being made today. It is interesting to note that when a friend of Drake Sparkman suggested that he name the boat “Blue Bird” he decided on the “Blue Jay” which could effectively be marked by a blue “J” on the sail. (Perhaps he thought noting the junior aspect).
The International Blue Jay Class Association was formed in 1954 by Allegra Knapp Mertz. President for 35 years, she built the class with active board members. Among those, Bob Sparkman, Drake’s son, who was treasurer for 20 years. James Rousmaniere was President in 1960 and 1961; Ed Hoffman, President in 1971. In 1984, at American Yacht Club’s Blue Jay Nationals, Leggie turned the gavel over to Bill Dunbar who had been an active board member for ten years. He continues in this position today.
The Association (IBJCA) is made up of voluntary officers and executive board members from different sailing areas on the East Coast. They continue to maintain a strict one-design class, publish a yearbook and newsletter, coordinate regional regattas and clinics, offer a National regatta ( Championship winner may apply for Champion of Champions ) and Master’s regatta plus have added a website
In 2005, Jim Hansen of Formula Boat Works, Ledyard, CT donated the Blue Jay mold he acquired from Salle Evelyn,(deceased), of Formula Yachts, to the Association in her memory. Both Jim and Salle were dedicated to the Blue Jay and its continued growth for many years and this offer was graciously accepted. The Association has made arrangements to have a new builder, Allen Boat Co., use the newly acquired mold, noting that Tom Allen has been the builder of the Lightning for many years. We welcome him “ on board”.
Class website: http://www.sailbluejay.org/
Reader Interactions
June 13, 2019 at 18:07
Where can I get an aluminum mast and boom for a bluejay sailboat ?
June 20, 2019 at 13:28
Attached are the drawings we have on file please let me know what you do and don’t need and we can get you a Quote. There are two drawings for the mast and one for the boom I have one for standing rigging and a spin pole as well if you need that.
Happy to answer any questions.
The Dwyer Team
Dwyer Mast & Rigging 33 Broadcommon Rd Unit 1 Bristol RI, 02809 P – 203-484-0419 F – 203-484-2014 http://www.dwyermast.com
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Tartan Ten - The Tartan Ten is an older boat that is great for young professionals wanting to race competitively in one of the largest one design classes in the nation. The T-10 is great for sailors who want to keep their budgets manageable and still maintain a race-ready vessel. A 33' foot monohull, the T-10 is a….
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Or, try using the Boat Type search- start typing any of these boat types: Dinghy Keelboat Multihull Sail/Kite Boards Foiling Land/Ice Boats Radio Control. You can also search by City, State (enter two-letter state abbreviation), or Zip Code. When you have your list(s), click on Print or Export to take it with you!
296/624 sq. ft. Designer: Reichel/Pugh. Price: $47,000. www.melges.com. Access SW's 2009 New Boat Showcase, including reviews and photos for Boat of the Year winners and dozens of new boats ...
The first one-design class and core Olympic racing yacht since 1932, the Star attracts sailors of varying ages and skill levels from all over the world. With nearly 2,000 boats competing annually and over 170 active fleets world-wide, the development of the class is not likely to slow down in the foreseeable future.
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Recognized as an international class by World Sailing, the J/24 has been selected for use in nearly every major international championship, including the PanAm Games, World Sailing Games, and Nations Cup. The J/24 is the world's most popular keelboat class, with over 5,500 boats built and over 50,000 people actively sailing in more than 150 ...
Mast: Aluminum alloy. Sail area: 75 sq ft. Sail material: 3.8 oz Dacron. Luff: 13.25 ft. Leech: 13.25 ft. Foot: 14.25 ft. Sail: Made by North Sails with visibility window. Crew: 1-4. A lightweight, one design sailboat perfect for one to four sailors and perfect for both beginners and seasoned sailors.
The brand Aeolos Composites produces lifting keel sailboats and one-design racing keelboats. There are 3 models currently in production ranging from 9 to 16 meters. The current model range includes 2 lines: Motor and Sailing. We invite you to explore all current and older models from Aeolos Composites and contact us for sales and pricing ...
The following is a partial list of sailboat types and sailing classes, including keelboats, dinghies, and multihull (catamarans and trimarans). Olympic classes. Laser. ... Farr Maxi One Design [e] International One Design: 1936: Bjarne Aas [60] Mumm 36: Open 50: Development class: Sydney 40: X-99: 1981: Niels Jeppesen: X-Yachts [61] Ultimate 20 ...
US ONE-DESIGN - Sailboats and Sailing gear and equipment by Devoti Sailing, PSA, Melges, Rooster, Topaz, Zhik, McLaughlin, Open Skiff, Gill, CarbonParts, Dynamic Dolly, Velocitek, Harken, Raymarine , US One-Design, Trailex, McLaughlin, and more. Skip to main content. Free Shipping on orders over $150* (exceptions apply)
Plans first appeared in the January 1937 issue of 'The Rudder' magazine. The designer was editor at the Time. Specifications are controlled by National One Design Racing Association, which owns the design. Boats in various stages of completion, parts, and original plans for wood construction are available through the National One-Design Racing Association . through […]
One Design Class Profile: 49er. In 1996 the 49er was chosen to be the twin trapeze skiff choice for Olympic sailing. It was designed by Julian Bethwaite and is an evolution of the International 14's and Aussie 18's. The 49er was an overnight success, with 80 boats competing in the class's first international regatta a year after being ...
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This is a list of notable sailboat designers and manufacturers, which are described by an article in English Wikipedia. Sailboat design and manufacturing is done by a number of companies and groups. Notable designers. Sailboat designer articles in Wikipedia: Alan Payne;
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.
Ben Ferraro (helm), Adam Holmes (middle) and Bob Young (forward) round a mark at the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta on their chartered Diam 24 One-Design trimaran.
1. Hallberg-Rassy. Hallberg-Rassy is a Swedish yacht maker that's very well-known in the blue water cruising circles for making some of the highest quality and sturdiest sailboats. For many sailors, this is the number one sailboat brand as it offers absolute comfort, utmost safety, and good and easy handling.
The Boat. Offered initially as a kit boat, the Sunfish grew from the Sailfish design by Alex Bryan and Cortlandt Heyniger. At 13' 9" long, 4'1" wide and drawing 2'11", the Sunfish weighs in at 120lbs and is easily transported by car top or trailer. It features a Lateen style rig and shallow v-shaped fully sealed hull.
35. Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43DS. Designed by French naval architect Daniel Andrieu, the 43DS—for deck saloon—was one of the company's first forays with the concept of adding a raised deck with plenty of windows for interior light and visibility, as well as increased volume and living space.
A Breath of Fresh Air in Offshore Racing. The fruit of a collaboration between key players in the marine industry - with naval architects at VPLP Design and with Multiplast - the Sun Fast 30 One Design is an innovative, powerful, and versatile 30-foot sailboat aiming to make offshore sailing more accessible, more fun, and more sustainable.
The Blue Jay continues to be one of the leading one-design, sloop-rigged sailboats in existence today. Fathered by Drake H. Sparkman, head of the New York designing firm of Sparkman and Stephens, Inc. after his tenure as chairman of a yacht club junior sailing program, the Blue Jay was pencil drawn in 1947. Designed as a " baby Lightning ...
The 11:Metre One Design, also called the 11 Metre or 11 Meter, is an American trailerable sailboat that was designed by Ron Holland and Rolf Gyhlenius as a one-design racer and first built in 1990. [1] [2] [3] The design was at one time a World Sailing international class. [3]