8 Metre
Prestigious racing yachts designed under the International Rule since 1907.
Last updated
The International Eight Metre class (often called 'Eights' or 8mR) is a construction class of racing yachts designed under the International Rule established in 1907. The class name refers not to the boat's length but to the product of a measurement formula; 8mR boats average about 15 metres in length. Before World War II, Eights were the most prestigious international yacht racing class, and they continue to be raced worldwide.
Quick Facts
- Design
- Development class
Facts from the source article.
Background
The International Rule was created in 1907 to replace earlier, simpler handicap systems that often produced extreme, lightly constructed boats. The Eight Metre class was the medium-size rating under this rule and was chosen as an Olympic class for the 1908 Summer Olympics, remaining in the Olympics until 1936. Up to 1914, 8 metre yachts were traditionally gaff-rigged, but the yacht Senga, launched in 1914, is universally accepted as the first 8 Metre yacht built from the start with Bermuda rig.
Frequently Asked Questions
How important was the 8 Metre class before World War II?
Eights were the single most prestigious international yacht racing class in the world during that era. They topped the international sailing calendar and were regarded as the pinnacle of competitive yacht racing.
What kind of class is the 8 Metre — open design or one specific hull?
It is a construction class, meaning boats are built to a shared set of measurement rules rather than to a single identical design. Each yacht is individually built but must conform to the International Rule's parameters.
More in Olympic sailing classes
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: 8 Metre (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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