one design racing sailboats

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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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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• About The Thistle

The Thistle is a high-performance one-design racing sailboat that is g enerally sailed with a three-person crew. Thistles have a main, jib and symmetrical spinnaker sail plan. They’re:

• Consistently fast due to the high sail area to weight ratio
• Quick to plane thanks to the wide, flat stern
• Built to slice through waves with the plumb bow

It’s a fun, fast, responsive boat that does well in a wide variety of conditions. Thistles plane easily in 10-12 knots of breeze and glide effortlessly in light air. 

What's the ideal Thistle team composition?

The typical Thistle crew has three people with a total weight of 450-500. Because there are no weigh-ins or crew weight requirements, you’ll see lots of different crew set-ups.  

What do our one-design principles mean for you?

The class holds firmly to one-design principles (“a form of racing where all boats are virtually identical or similar in design” says US Sailing ), which rewards the quality of the sailor rather than the dollars invested in the boat. What does that mean in practice?

The TCA has implemented measures to keep costs reasonable and avoid an “arms race.”

• Boats need to meet weight and measurement requirements to be allowed to participate in regattas.
• No one is coming to every regatta with a crispy, new set of sails because boat owners can buy only one suit per year.
• We don’t allow coaching during regattas (“paid hand” onboard or in a coach boat).

There’s a strong history of leadership and governance in the Thistle Class. Our class officers:

• Enforce the spirit of the rules as well as the letter
• Uphold the rule that says that if something is not in the rules, it’s prohibited
• Encourage a unique balance of top-level competition, affordable racing and a family atmosphere

Where Can I Buy a Thistle?

Whether you’re looking for a new boat or a used one, there are plenty of quality Thistles for sale. New boats are available from the class-approved builder: Beacon Composites . Search through a collection of used Thistles for sale at a variety of price points on the Thistle Marketplace.

One of the things you’ll love about the Thistle is the affordability for such a competitive class. A new Thistle runs around $25,000 for the hull, spars, blades and rigging. For a very competitive used boat, expect to spend between $10,000 and $15,000. Want to try the boat and upgrade later? You can pick up a ready-to-sail used Thistle for under $10,000. 

Need help figuring out what’s right for you? Let us know , and we’ll set you up with a local Thistler who’ll be happy to walk you through your options. 

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MC38 One Design: Best Grand-Prix One-Design

• By Dave Reed
• Updated: December 13, 2012

MC38 One Design

Purpose: inshore racing Recommended race crew: 7 Best attributes: sail-handling systems, straight-line speed, build quality Price: $248,000 (base) www.mcconaghyboats.com

The genesis of the MC38 One-Design , said its designer Harry Dunning, was to provide a pure raceboat for owners coming from the Farr 40 or Melges 32 classes. The design brief was therefore simple: leave out all the unnecessary interior extras (head, galley, berths, etc.) and put in all the latest go-fast technology. The result is one impressive, low-slung, one-design machine.

To build the boat, Dunning partnered with McConaghy Boats , of Australia. He then enlisted the help of friends and colleagues from his America’s Cup Rolodex to ensure the engineering was done right–and light–and that its systems were properly integrated into the boat. The hull, as we’d expect of a 7,040-pound 38-footer, is a carbon/E-glass, and CoreCell composite, and the deck is resin-infused Vinylester. The custom-quality build McConaghy is known for was visible in the clear-coated interior. “It’s cleanly built, with nice finish work, inside and on deck,” said Rich.

To minimize the number of crew required to sail the boat, and thereby reduce regatta costs, said Dunning, the design and engineering team focused on the boat’s stability and its sail-handling systems in order to get the ideal crew weight down to around 1,300 pounds, or seven people. The result is a boat that is light on its lines, quick to accelerate, and agile through the turns. “It’s really stable and pretty darn fast for a 38-footer,” said Stewart after our test sail in single-digit winds. “It’s easy to get to 8 knots, and the wake off the back of the boat was very clean.”

With most sail controls and the spinnaker sheets led under the deck, exiting from the cockpit walls, there were no issues of cockpit clutter or foot cleats, and good leads resulted in snag-free maneuvers (except when the lazy spinnaker sheet went under the boat, requiring it to be temporarily led externally). There are quite a few clever ideas borrowed from the grand-prix realm, including a pneumatic rubber seal on the foredeck hatch, a spinnaker string-takedown system, PBO rigging, and beautiful carbon fittings scattered around the boat. It all looks simple, said Dunning, but it took a lot of time to get right. In terms of regatta road travel, the boat has a lifting 9-foot carbon fin, which can also be removed for shipping.

The boat is powerful and high-tech, the judges cautioned, and will require a few experienced crewmembers to get it around the racecourse efficiently (approximate IRC rating is 1.25), especially in stronger winds. “Downwind, this boat will really rip,” said Allen, “and when it’s blowing 25, things will happen fast–you’re going to need three or four guys that know what they’re doing.”

For more images of the MC38 One Design, click here . For more on McConaghy Boats, click here . To see the rest of 2013’s winners, click here .

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Sail1Design

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November 30, 1999 by Sail1Design Editor Leave a Comment

Without Compromising Either One The Lightning, a 19 foot trailerable centerboard sloop, was originally designed by Sparkman & Stephens as an affordable family day-sailor and racing boat. She has evolved into one of the most popular and competitive one-design racing classes in the world. Awarded ISAF International Class status, the Lightning is sailed in more than 13 countries and in the Pan American Games, and the class provides a professionally-managed association that is among the largest in all of one-design sailing. The Lightning’s rig is simple, but offers sophisticated sail shape controls. The hull features a unique hard chine design that combines the stability that provides sail-carrying power, with flat bottom sections that promote planing. The International Lightning Class Association protects the boat’s design and licenses custom and private builders to build boats under its administration. A list of Lightning builders is available from the ILCA upon request.

Dinghy Responsiveness, Sportboat Performance

The Best Of Both Worlds Whether racing or daysailing, the Lightning offers a combination of performance and stability that eludes most one-designs. The Lightning’s hard chine and 130 lb centerboard give her the stability and power of a small keel boat going to weather in strong winds and allow her to carry a very large spinnaker for breathtaking offwind rides. There’s room in the cockpit for two couples or a family to daysail, but the Lightning is easy to ramp launch and light enough to trailer with ease. In the event of a capsize, she can be righted and sailed dry by her crew.

Refined Design, Toda

The Best Of Both Worlds Whether you’re more interested in how a boat looks or how it behaves, it’s hard to beat the Lightning. The Class maintains an attitude that promotes conservative innovation, making the boat faster, safer and more maintenance free, while keeping prices affordable. Most Lightnings built in the last 25 years can be made competitive and it’s not uncommon to see them winning races right along with new ones. In fact the 1995 World Champion sailed a boat built in 1969! Modern Lightnings are built in foam-cored fiberglass with stainless steel centerboards and black anodized aluminum spars. The world’s top sailmakers give the class their best efforts. In short, there are enough controls to keep the most technically inclined happy, but it’s good tactics, boat-handling and hiking that win races.

The Best Competition In The World Or A Way To Get Away From It

The Best Of Both Worlds

Ted Turner, Dennis Conner, Ken Read, Dave Dellenbaugh, Dave Curtis, Bruce Goldsmith, Tom Allen, Neal Fowler, Steve Benjamin, Ched Proctor, Bill Shore, Greg Fisher, Andy Horton are just a few of the rock stars who have competed in the Lightning. After more than 60 years and more than 15,000 boats it’s easy to find a regatta when you want to. But whether you’re interested in serious racing or you just want to go for a joyride with the family, you’ll find what you’re looking for in the Lightning. Club Racer Or International Icon

The Lightning truly excels as a racing boat. It requires a wide range of different skills, both tactical and technical. At 700 pounds all up, the boat is tough enough to avoid frequent breakdowns, but light enough to plane wildly on the reaches. A World Championship is held every two years. North American, South American and European Championships are held each year as are innumerable regional and District championships. Major regattas attract some of the finest sailors in the world, but you find class members friendly and the sailmakers’ complete tuning guides helpful at getting you up to speed in a hurry.

The International Lightning Class Association

Welcome To Our World

The ILCA is one of the oldest and best organized class associations in sailboat racing. Its primary purpose is to serve its membership, preserve the integrity of the Lightning and provide high-quality competitive events. In addition, the ILCA publishes a monthly newsletter Lightning Flashes with up-to-date regatta news, boat brokerage and ideas on how to get the most out of your Lightning. An annual Yearbook, containing many illustrated articles, reports on major championships, fleet reports and a complete association mailing list, is also published. The professional ILCA staff is always on hand to assist both current and potential members. If you’re looking for a boat you can be proud to sail, one that offers dinghy handling with the performance of a sportboat, a refined design that’s free of fads, complete with the technology of today for both racing and daysailing

Get The Best Of Both Worlds. Get into a Lightning. See you on the water. David Dellenbaugh, former Lightning World Champion and starting helmsman for 1992

America’s Cup defender America3

The Top 10 Things I Like About The Lightning: 1. There’s Lightning racing almost everywhere. 2. Some of the best sailors in the world sail the Lightning. 3. Lightnings are available from more than one high-quality builder. 4. Lightnings even 20 years old are still competitive. 5. The boat is one of the best crew trainers on the water today. 6. The class is not so strict as to discourage experimentation which makes the boat faster and easier to sail. 7. The Lightning has interested the finest sailmakers in the world so the sails and the tuning guides look great and are easy to use. 8. The Lightning is a very roomy boat for daysailing. 9. Lightning sailors sail hard, but they’re not too cutthroat – someone’s always ready to answer questions. 10. The class management is as good as you’ll find in one-design sailing. For more information about the International Lightning or to arrange a test sail in your area, call or write to the address listed below.

Design: Sparkman & Stephens, 1938 Over 15000 built More than 500 fleets worldwide Length: 19’0″ (5.8m) Beam: 6’6″ (2m) Displacement: 700 lb (318 kg) Draft (board down): 4’11” (151.3cm) (board up): 5″ (12.8cm) Mast height: 26’2″ (7.9m) Sail area (main & jib): 177 sq.ft. (spinnaker): 300 sq.ft. Crew (racing): 3

Class website: http://www.lightningclass.org/index.asp

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West Solent One Design Restored & Racing: Toba in Argentina

Toba is a fine example of a reborn West Solent One Design, which is now alive and kicking, and playing hard in Argentina, Marcelo Baltzer Foucher reports.

The legacy of toba , the west solent one design.

Toba is one of the five West Solent Class commissioned by the Argentina Yacht Club and ordered in 1924.

According to the brochure published in 1926 by the builder and designer, Mr. Harry G. May at Berthon Boat Company Limited , they were advertised as the “Lymington Racing Cruisers”, then became known as the “W” boats and finally classed as the “West Solent Restricted One-Design Class” that lead to the acronym WSOD.

The first five boats were built in 1924 for members of the Lymington Yacht Club at a cost of £600. In the same year, five boats were built under Lloyds supervision and sent to Argentina. According to the same brochure the owners were very happy with the boats and their performance.

The Argentinian boats were all named after native tribes, these being: Querandí, Toba, Ona, Timbú and Yagan , and for this reason they were known as “Los Indios”.

Of the five boats that arrived in Argentina, only Toba is operational and competing in the Argentinian Classic Boats circuit in the Vintage category.

Querandí is in the process of restoration, Ona is in the port of La Paloma in Uruguay and has been converted into a cruising boat and there is no information about Yagan and Timbú .

A total of 36 boats were built, half of which are still sailing in the UK, France, Spain and now Argentina . 

A Providential Destiny

Fate has curious ways of manifesting itself. Juan Pablo Fregonese, Marcelo Baltzer and Carlos Criado, the partners of the project, discovered this dream boat in almost mystical circumstances. 

After finishing the last day of regattas of the J70 European Championship held in Vigo, Spain, in June 2018, we wondered how much longer we could withstand the rigors of the J70 and raised the idea of looking for a classic boat as the next phase of our passion for competitive sailing, but we did not set a date.

Three years later we were chatting about classic boats while having lunch at the Yacht Club Argentino with Carlos (Pacho) Criado, and by chance we encountered Toba for the first time.

An acquaintance from the club came over and, as if revealing a hidden treasure, she said, I have the boat for you! She showed us pictures of Toba . She was a jewel that demanded a major restoration, but her charm and historical relevance were undeniable. A few Google searches and an immediate visit to the Yacht Club San Isidro to see it in person, sealed the deal. Marcelo, who lives in Spain, was convinced by his wife Tatei to join the project, despite initial concerns about distance. And so, in April 2021, Toba was under new command.

The Rebirth of Toba

The process of conservation, restoration and enhancement of Toba was based on the conservation principles established by the National Historic Ships UK (NHS-UK) in the guidance manual Conserving Historic Vessels .

West Solent One Design: Objectives

Firstly, we pictured three possible scenarios for the restoration of Toba . Would we restore the boat for a museum exhibition, without nautical requirements? Make her sail again without other demands than the current safety regulations? Alternatively, could we make a much greater effort and intervene with all the necessary procedures as indicated by the NHS-UK, for her to sail and participate in regattas?

After very enjoyable and long conversations, we went for the last option and embraced a restoration project that would keep us very busy during the subsequent 18 months.

Juan Pablo began working in Buenos Aires, at the shipyard of the YCA headquarters San Fernando, and looking for the best local artisans. Meanwhile, Marcelo visited Berthon Boat Company at The Shipyard in Lymington, England, where all but one of the WSOD fleet were built and met Brian May, MD of the company, and great-grandson of the original designer Harry G May, who kindly showed and explained to us his ongoing restoration of the West Solent W8 Ripple, ex Dinah, by young apprentices. Brian also gave us access to the original drawings, PR and sail plans. In addition, Marcelo visited Kevin Fuller, owner of the W29 Mischief and Chris Preston, owner of the W2 Suvretta , both enjoying sailing today on the English coast. They all showed great enthusiasm and shared very valuable information with us.

Assessment and State of Conservation

A technical diagnosis and detailed analysis of each component of the boat was carried out by Juan Pablo and his team to determine the materials and technology used for its construction 100 years ago. 

We were powerfully struck by the minimalist design and elegant arrangement of the internal structure of the stringers that were kept visible in the original design. When a plank was dismantled, the discovery of bronze nails with a square section, used in the attachment of planks to the hull frames, gave us a favourable picture of the general solidity and good state of preservation of the hull. Likewise, the lodging knees of frames, beams, metal plate floors and reinforcements were found in a very good state of conservation, allowing us to plan the tasks to be carried out during the restoration process. 

In parallel, several consultations were made with technical specialists to validate our initial findings and to perform a state-of-the-art scan of the original mast and boom to rule out fissures and confirm the solidity of the Oregon pine wood.

Historical archives were searched for graphic and photographic backgrounds to support technical and design decisions.

The process was supported by videos and pictures to create a project portfolio with draw ings, sail plans and written documents.

Conservation, Intervention and Updating

We decided to respect the designer’s original idea and worked towards rebuilding an agile and simple racing boat, emphasising on performance in regatta sailing. 

Throughout the process, it was a priority to preserve as many of the original elements as possible in their current state, restoring them when required. 

We carried out the following main works

Mast and boom: complete cleaning and sanding (to zero), repair and filling of cavities and perforations caused by previous screws and fittings, and application of nine layers of marine varnish with anti-UV protection. As the boom and mast were original, we installed the mast according to the 1924 plan, we cut the boom based on the 2019 sail plan and kept it height position based on the existing location of the fittings on the mast. With the boat and sails being more rigid, the loss of mainsail area is easily bettered by less weather helm, especially in heavier wind.  

Rigging: we based the rigging design on the 2019 sail plan provided by Berthon and we added a lower shroud to gain mast stability. We relocated the closed shroud turnbuckles below deck, designing special bushings and chainplates that absorbed the change of direction stress from the low shrouds, resulting in a clean and stylish deck. 

Hull: replacement of the necessary planks with semi-hard Bolivian cedar wood, which has a density almost identical to that of the original mahogany.

Deck structure: adaptation, relocation, and addition of horizontal and vertical reinforcements, to support the fittings of the new deck layout.

Keel and rudder: replacement of the original Admiralty bronze keel bolts with stainless steel replicas and a full hydraulic sealing was used to fix the ballast to the keel. A complete reconstruction of the rudder shaft and blade was made.

Deck: a classic solution was chosen, with a caulked, flush deck, supported and fixed directly to the beams. Petiribí, a local hardwood, was used.  The height of the skylight butterfly hatch and coaming was reduced by 3in (75mm), to improve and emphasize the sheer and proportion of the hull.

Cockpit: the original closing hatch was modified and made removable to accommodate an additional crew member position in the cockpit area. 

Fittings: we respected the original position of main halyard and headsail winches on the mast, avoiding the use of organisers and stoppers on deck. In the cockpit, the original sheet winches were reused. All new fittings and deck rails were bought from special classic boat vendors like Davey & Co, Toplicht or Wilmex.

As expected, the launch that took place in the Yacht Club Argentino San Fernando in June 2022 has been a great success and the first test for this reborn boat. 

Furthermore, she exceeded our expectations in the first regatta and continued to do so in subsequent competitions, winning in 2023 the gold medal of the Argentinian Yacht Club in the Vintage class and the 2023 Grand Prix of Classics in category B of the Vintage class. 

In addition, Toba has sailed 800 nautical miles in El Rio de la Plata to compete in Uruguay in the last two years during which she responded excellently in heavy seas and 30 knots of wind.

Far from being a transition to a more relaxed life, as we initially thought, sailing this West Solent One Design  has proven to be an experience full of technical and emotional challenges, but hugely rewarding and giving us a blast from the past.

Today, with Toba back on the water and the recognition of the Argentinian nautical community, the project partners feel they have achieved something monumental, the recovery of one of the most significant boats in the history of classic Argentinian sailing.

Toba Specifications

Designer Harry G May

Build Berthon Boat Company, 1924

LOA 35 ft 1 in / 10,7 m

LWL 23 ft 11 in / 7,3 m

BEAM 7 ft 7 in / 2,3 m

Draught 5 ft 3 in / 1,6 m

DISP 4,25 tons

SAIL AREA 575 sqft / 53,4 m2

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• 2010 to date

Circuit History

Construction on the circuit began in late 2008 on a plot of land to the west of the town of Bogorodsk in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. The track was designed by Russian architects, Mikhail Gorbachev (not the former Soviet Premier!) and Andrei Kitov of the Moscow Circuit Design Group 'Racetracks'. The relatively compact layout was designed to meet FIA Grade 2 standards from the outset and also includes a drap strip which doubles as the main straight and a small flat oval incorporated in the main design.

The main circuit was completed by 2010, ready for its first race in June. Very quickly the NRing established itself as something as a hub for national racing, with visits of the Russian Touring Car Championship, Russian Drift Series and Drag Racing Cup. Subsequent years also saw the Russian Superbike Championship added to the NRing's roster of events.

In 2011, plans were put forward for an extension to the southern portion of the track to lengthen the circuit it order to bring it up to FIA Grade 1-T standards. Again Gorbachev and Kitov penned the revisions, which would have seen the track length increase to around 5km, with spectator capacity set at around 80,000. To date, however, these plans have not been put into action.

Instead the focus has been on completing the rest of the facilities, with the completion in 2015 of 24 pit boxes, control tower, media centre and bleachers for 5,000 spectators. This was in addition to the covered grandstand seating for 8,000 and a total capacity of 30,000.

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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

Photo Credit: Bill Brine

Photo Credit: Alyce Athay Croasdale

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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Nizhny Novgorod: A ‘Russian Detroit’ from 19th to 21st centuries (PHOTOS)

Dmitrievskaya Tower through the centuries.

Founded in 1221, Nizhny Novgorod (260 miles east of Moscow) is still one of the most visited and populated Russian cities (it has more than 1.2 million inhabitants). Its ancient kremlin, cozy paved streets with centuries-old buildings (a regular city plan was adopted after Empress Cathrine the Great visited the city in 1767) and scenic views of the Volga River warm the hearts of locals and tourists. By the way, many people confuse it with Veliky Novgorod (established in 859) in the north-west of Russia. In Russian, the word ‘Novgorod’ literally means “new city” and, luckily, there are only two in the whole country: ‘Lower new city’ and ‘Great new city’. One of the oldest and largest automobile plants that produces GAZ cars is still located in Nizhny (Russians often omit ‘Novgorod’) - and that’s why the city is often known as the ‘Russian Detroit’. In Soviet times, it bore the name of main Soviet writer Maxim Gorky , who was born there.

And despite its steel and metal history, today, Nizhny Novgorod has the poetic epithet of the capital of sunsets. We compared some vintage and recent photos of the city.

Dmitrievskaya Tower in 1913 and in 2021.

The stone citadel of Nizhny Novgorod was built in the 16th century around the Chasovaya (Sentry) Hill. Here is the most famous view of the fortress with the Dmitrievskaya Tower. Previously, a moat was dug in front of the tower, which was filled with water. At the end of the 18th century, the moat was filled and the tower sunk about 6 meters into the ground. The tower received its a-la Rus facade only at the end of the 19th century. 

2. National Unity Square 

Skoba square, 1957 / Monument to Minin and Pozharsky nowadays.

On Moscow’s Red Square, there is a monument to Minin and Pozharsky , who were the leaders of the people’s militia against the Polish intervention of 1611. Interestingly, exactly the same monument stands in Nizhny Novgorod! And all because the militia gathered there. City official Kuzma Minin called on all residents to fight and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky was chosen as the militia head. The date of Moscow’s liberation from the Poles (November 4) has been celebrated as National Unity Day in Russia since 2005. In the same year, Nizhny Novgorod’s Skoba Square, where the militia gathered, was renamed ‘National Unity Square’ and a monument to the two national heroes was erected there, as well.

3. Chkalov staircase

View on Nizhny Novgorod kremlin, Dyatlov hills and Chkalov stairs, 1886 and now.

With 560 steps, these are some of the longest stairs in Russia! The site where this staircase was built was called the ‘Volga Downhill’ and was very popular among locals, since it had one of the most picturesque views of the Volga. The stairs, named after a pilot named Valery Chkalov, connect the upper and lower embankments in the historical center of Nizhny Novgorod. Among the architects was Lev Rudnev , who worked in the Stalinist Empire style and designed the Moscow State University and the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw.

4. Kremlin funicular

Kremlin funicular in operation... and in ruins.

Amazing: At the end of the 19th century, in the center of Nizhny Novgorod, two funiculars operated near the kremlin. They literally worked on water. Imagine a water tank in the car: filled at the upper station, empty at the lower station. When one car went down, the lower one went up under its gravity. They would move at the same time. The funiculars were abandoned in the 1920s, when a tram line was completed. Today, only ruins remain in place of the historical funiculars, although the city administration has already promised to recreate this type of transport. There still is one funicular operating in Nizhny Novgorod, which connects it with the city of Bor on the other side of the Volga River.

5. Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street 

Bolshaya Pokrovskaya street in 1880s and 2021.

The main street of Nizhny Novgorod has undergone many changes over the centuries. Before the revolution of 1917, it was the favorite area of nobles to settle. Along the street, you can still see old stone mansions, theaters, churches. One of the most beautiful buildings is the main state bank built in Neo-Russian style. It was opened for the 300th anniversary of the Romanov house in 1913. At the beginning of the 20th century, a tram line passed there - one of the first in Russia. But, since the 1980s, the street has become pedestrian only.

6. Rozhdestvenskaya Street

Rozhdestvenskaya Street in 1890s and 2020.

A historical tram line has been preserved on the other oldest street, Rozhdestvenskaya. However, now it’s a tourist transport and it operates only in summer. The street has also preserved its appearance since pre-revolutionary times. There, you can see almost all the same buildings that were in Tsarist Russia, including the Stroganov and Golitsyn estates, the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Blinov Passage - the first shopping center outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Construction of the Burevestnik station, 1996 / Burevestnik station, 2009.

Nizhny Novgorod is one of the seven Russian cities with its own underground transport. The metro here was opened in 1985: In Soviet times, only cities with the population over 1 million residents had a subway. It consists of only two lines and sees about 115,000 commuters a day, which makes it less popular than ground transports. In the near future, there are plans to build new stations on the other side of the Oka River.

8. Referees Tower

Before and after restoration, 2021.

The Referees Tower built in the Neo-constructivist style on the embankment of the Grebnoy Canal was built in 1988 for the 2nd All-Union Youth Rowing Games. Over time, it was severely destroyed and only recently restored, for the 800th anniversary of the city. Of course, with cafes and places to relax. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?

9. GAZ automobile plant

The first car assembly plant, 1930 / Gorky Automobile Plant, 2021.

The GAZ (Gorky Automobile Plant) plant in Nizhny Novgorod became one of the first in Russia. Early models of trucks and passenger cars were produced under a Ford license. In the 1920s-1930s, American specialists also helped to build the plant itself and the socialist city for workers In the post-war years, the ‘Volga’ and ‘Chaika’ cars were the most expensive among Soviet cars - a citizen’s dream! These days, the plant still operates, but produces mainly trucks and minibuses.

10. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral 

High water in Nizhny Novgorod, 1890s/ The same district nowadays.

The Cathedral Church of Nizhny Novgorod is located in one of the most picturesque places of the city - on the arrow of the Volga and the Oka rivers. People used to call it ‘fair church’, since its parishioners were merchants who came to fairs from all over the country. It also was only open in the summertime. In the Soviet years, the iconostasis was dismantled for firewood to heat houses and then it was even planned to demolish it altogether and build a lighthouse and a monument to Lenin on the same site. Nevertheless, the cathedral was preserved (in the 1980s, it was restored by volunteers) and, in 2009, was reinstated as the city’s main church.

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