Etchells
The International Etchells Class is a one-design keelboat racing class featuring a 30.5-foot (9.3 m) fiberglass sloop designed by American naval architect E. W. "Skip" Etchells in 1966 for three sailors.[1][2] Developed as a prototype for the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU) three-man keelboat Olympic trials, it emphasizes simplicity, speed, and fairness through strict one-design rules, with over 1,500 hulls built worldwide as of 2025.[2][3] Etchells, born in 1911 and educated in naval architecture at the University of Michigan, drew on his experience building over 360 Star-class boats at the Old Greenwich Boat Company to create this vessel.[2] The prototype, named Shillalah, was constructed in 1966 and excelled in IYRU trials at Kiel, Germany, winning 8 of 11 races, before a second version, Shillalah II, secured 10 of 13 victories in 1967 trials at Travemünde, though the Soling class was ultimately selected for the Olympics.[2] Despite this, the design quickly gained traction; the first fleet formed on Long Island Sound within six months of the 1967 trials, and by 1990, the boat—originally known as the Etchells 22—was officially renamed the Etchells Class.[1][2] Key specifications include a length overall of 30.5 feet (9.3 m), a beam of 7.0 feet (2.1 m), a draft of 4.5 feet (1.4 m), a displacement of approximately 3,325 pounds (1,508 kg), a ballast of 2,175 pounds (987 kg), and a sail area of 301 square feet (28 m²).[1] These attributes make it a stable, powerful performer in varied conditions, often described as a "big, fast, simple, and sleek racing sloop" suitable for three or four average sailors.[4] Production initially occurred at the Old Greenwich Boat Company, with Skip Etchells overseeing the first 36 boats from 1967 to 1969, before shifting to licensed builders like Tillotson-Pearson and later international yards on three continents.[2] The class has thrived as an international racing staple, with over 50 active fleets worldwide by the early 2000s and ongoing events such as the Etchells World Championship and North American Championship.[2] Notable milestones include the 2024 and 2025 World Championships won by Australia's Graeme Taylor on Magpie, and the 2025 North American title claimed by Luke Lawrence on Bayou Hustler in San Diego.[5][6][7] Skip Etchells passed away in 1998, but the class endures as a testament to his legacy, attracting competitive sailors through its balance of accessibility and high performance.[2]Development
Origins and Olympic Trials
E. W. "Skip" Etchells (1911–1998) was an accomplished American naval architect, boat builder, and competitive sailor who designed the Etchells class. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in naval architecture and engineering, Etchells worked in U.S. Navy shipyards during World War II, contributing to the construction of destroyers and icebreakers. After the war, he joined the renowned Sparkman & Stephens design firm before founding his own Old Greenwich Boat Company in Connecticut, where he gained fame for building high-performance Star class yachts. As a sailor, Etchells achieved international success, including a victory in the 1951 Star World Championship alongside his wife, Mary, the only woman to win the event at the time.[8][9][2] In 1965, responding to a call from the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU) for a new three-man keelboat to replace the aging Dragon class in Olympic competition, Etchells designed a 30.5-foot wooden prototype named Shillalah. The boat featured a 22-foot waterline length, 4-foot-6-inch draft, 3,700-pound displacement, and 310 square feet of sail area, optimized for speed, stability, and simplicity in a three-person crew configuration. Shillalah was shipped to Kiel, Germany, for the 1966 IYRU trials, where it excelled by winning eight of eleven races against seven competing designs, demonstrating superior all-around performance in varied conditions. The 1966 trials served as a preliminary selection, advancing the Etchells design to the 1967 finals.[2][10][11] Following the 1966 results, Etchells rebuilt the prototype as Shillalah II in fiberglass for the 1967 trials in Travemünde, Germany, using the original wooden hull as a mold plug to facilitate potential production. This version incorporated modifications for improved durability and manufacturability, including a fractional sloop rig and refined keel design to enhance handling and balance under the IYRU's measurement constraints. Shillalah II dominated the second trials, securing ten wins in thirteen races (with an eleventh victory lost by a margin of one second), outperforming established classes like the Dragon and 5.5-Meter alongside new contenders.[2][12][10] Despite its racing dominance across both trial sets, the Etchells design was rejected for Olympic selection in favor of the Soling class, which had also performed strongly but offered advantages in cost (approximately $3,000–$4,000 per boat versus $6,000 for the Etchells), lighter weight for easier trailering, and broader international appeal. The IYRU decision replaced the Dragon for the 1972 Olympics. Undeterred, Etchells pivoted the design toward strict one-design racing, emphasizing equalized performance to foster competitive fleets without the variability of handicap rules.[2][8][1] The prototype's success quickly generated interest, leading to the first production run of 36 fiberglass Etchells hulls built by Etchells and the Old Greenwich Boat Company between 1967 and 1969, with an initial order of 12 boats placed shortly after the 1967 trials. These early boats formed Fleet 1 in Long Island Sound, marking the class's shift from Olympic contender to a dedicated one-design platform that would later gain international recognition.[13][10][2]Establishment as International Class
Following the failure to secure Olympic selection in 1967, the Etchells transitioned from a prototype design to an established one-design racing class in the early 1970s, marked by increased production and the organization of dedicated regattas in the United States.[13] The first U.S. National Championship was held in 1968, signaling the beginning of competitive racing, but the class's momentum built through the 1970s with local fleets forming across North America and the inaugural international fleet established in Australia in 1973.[12][13][14] Tillotson-Pearson assumed production responsibilities in 1971, enabling broader distribution and fostering the class's evolution into a competitive three-person keelboat format.[13] The International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU, now World Sailing) formally recognized the class—then known as the E22—in 1972 and granted it full International status effective July 1, 1974, affirming its adherence to strict one-design principles.[13][15] This recognition facilitated global expansion and standardized competition under IYRU guidelines. To maintain uniformity, the class developed comprehensive rules, detailed plans, and building specifications from the outset, overseen by a technical committee that ensured all boats conformed to the original design for fair racing.[16][4] In 1990, the yacht and class were renamed "International Etchells" and "International Etchells Class," respectively, to highlight its worldwide appeal and established presence beyond North America.[13] The early fleet growth was robust, with production ramping up in the 1970s through builders like Ontario Yachts starting in 1975, resulting in over 100 boats by the early 1980s and solidifying the class as a premier three-person racing keelboat.[13] This period of formalization and expansion laid the foundation for enduring international competitions.[2]Design
Key Features and Construction
The Etchells is constructed as a monohull using fiberglass reinforced with E-glass fibers and polyester resin, finished with gelcoat for durability and a smooth surface. This material choice, combined with a fractional sloop rig, supports the class's strict one-design philosophy, ensuring all boats perform equally without variations in build quality affecting competition. The aluminum mast and boom, along with wire standing rigging including shrouds, are standardized to promote simplicity and ease of maintenance, while allowing for a symmetric spinnaker to enhance downwind performance.[17][4] The hull features a sleek, low-profile shape that minimizes wetted surface area for efficient speed, particularly in light to moderate conditions, with a beam of 7 feet contributing to inherent stability during racing maneuvers. A fixed fin keel incorporating a lead bulb provides strong righting moment, enabling the boat to handle choppy waters and gusts effectively without compromising responsiveness. This design prioritizes planing capability and quick acceleration, making it ideal for one-design fleets where crew skill determines outcomes.[18][17] Inside, the Etchells maintains a minimalist layout focused on racing functionality, featuring a small cuddy cabin primarily for stowage of gear and sails rather than overnight accommodations. The spacious cockpit accommodates a crew of three to four, with basic fittings like floorboards and an optional console for navigation, supporting both day sailing and intense regatta conditions without unnecessary weight or complexity.[17][4] Performance-wise, the Etchells delivers fast and responsive handling, excelling in winds of 10-20 knots where its stable platform and tunable rig allow for precise control and high-speed reaches. Its trailerable nature, facilitated by the lightweight construction and compact dimensions, combined with low-maintenance fiberglass and rigging, makes it accessible for clubs worldwide, emphasizing pure sailing enjoyment over elaborate upkeep.[18][4]Specifications and Performance Characteristics
The Etchells is a one-design keelboat with precise dimensions designed for strict class compliance. Its hull measures 30.50 ft (9.30 m) in length overall (LOA), 22.00 ft (6.71 m) at the waterline (LWL), 7.00 ft (2.13 m) in beam, and 4.50 ft (1.37 m) in draft, providing a balance of stability and responsiveness for racing.[1] The displacement is 3,325 lb (1,508 kg), with a lead ballast of 2,175 lb (987 kg) encapsulated in the keel, contributing to a ballast-to-displacement ratio of approximately 65.4%, which enhances righting moment in gusty conditions.[1] The sail plan emphasizes upwind efficiency and downwind power within class limits. The mainsail has an area of 186.88 sq ft (17.36 m²), while the jib or genoa measures 110.40 sq ft (10.26 m²), yielding a total upwind sail area of 297.28 sq ft (27.62 m²). The symmetric spinnaker is limited to a maximum area of 400 sq ft (37.16 m²), allowing for effective offwind performance without exceeding one-design constraints.[1][19]| Specification | Imperial (ft / sq ft / lb) | Metric (m / m² / kg) |
|---|---|---|
| LOA | 30.50 | 9.30 |
| LWL | 22.00 | 6.71 |
| Beam | 7.00 | 2.13 |
| Draft | 4.50 | 1.37 |
| Displacement | 3,325 | 1,508 |
| Ballast | 2,175 | 987 |
| Mainsail Area | 186.88 | 17.36 |
| Jib/Genoa Area | 110.40 | 10.26 |
| Spinnaker Area (max) | 400 | 37.16 |