The Metre Boats

The metre boats continue to delight, over 100 years since they first sailed. Fleet racing will be organised for classic and modern 6mR, 8mR and 12 mR. Other classes will be accommodated depending on attendance - but never fear - all boats are welcome and we would expect entries from 5mR, 5.5mR and 10mR.

• The 6mR have a new event this year, the Southwest 6mR Open Meeting held in Falmouth where they are being joined by the IODs. They will attend a classic event at La Trinité, Brittany and the Europeans this year are being held in Switzerland. The Nationals will be held at the Royal Southern YC. The British boats may also be seen out in the Solent during the Stug Perry and Red Funnel events. For details goto www.6mr.org.uk.
  
  
• The 8mR The 8mR World Cup this year will be at Toronto, Canada, in mid-August and the 8mR Euo Cup during the Rolex Baltic Week in early July.
  
  
• the 12mR fleet are organising a Metre Era Reunion for all sailors who crewed on a 12 Metre during the America’s Cup years from 1958 to 1987.
  
  

Now 100 years since the first rule was written, metre boats have been at the forefront of yacht development - they were amongst the first boats sailing in the Olympics, right from the 1908 London Olympics until 1968 in Mexico, 6mR were used for the British-American Cup (team racing) through the 1930’s, some of the 23mR were converted to ‘J’-class yachts and the 12mR were the boats used to challenge for the Americas Cup for 30 years once racing started again after the war and until a more modern derivative was designed. There has been a real resurgence of interest with many old boats being restored, new boats being built and some of the mega-stars of the sailing world choosing metre boats for their personal sailing.