10 Metre
A historic yacht class defined by formula, not length.
The International Ten Metre Class is a construction class under the International Rule, meaning boats are designed to meet a specific measurement formula rather than being identical. Despite the name, a 10 Metre boat is not 10 meters long; the '10' refers to the formula's product, and these boats average 16.5 meters in length. At their peak, Metre Classes were the most important group of international yacht racing classes, and they remain actively raced worldwide.
- class type
- Construction class (International Rule)
- average length
- 16.5 meters
- olympic use
- 1912 and 1920 Olympics
- number built
- About 20 boats
- rule period (1907 rule)
- 1907 to 1920
- rule period (1919 rule)
- 1920 to 1933
Lore & Background
The 10 Metre was used as an Olympic Class during the 1912 and 1920 Olympics. The International Rule was established in 1907 to replace earlier, simpler handicap systems that were often local or national, and which produced extreme, lightly constructed, and impractical boats. The rule changed several times in history, with about 20 boats built under the class.
Reader's Guide
The 10 Metre class represents a pivotal shift in yacht design, moving from simple, often dangerous handicap systems to a sophisticated measurement formula that encouraged seaworthy, competitive vessels. As part of the International Rule, it standardized racing across nations, making the Metre Classes the dominant international racing groups of their era. The class's Olympic appearances in 1912 and 1920 highlight its prestige, though only about 20 boats were ever built, reflecting its niche but influential role. The formula itself evolved, with the 1907 rule (used until 1920) differing from the 1919 rule (used from 1920 to 1933), demonstrating ongoing refinement. Today, the class is still actively raced, preserving a link to early 20th-century yacht design and competition.
Did You Know?
- The '10' in the class name refers to the product of the measurement formula, not the boat's length.
- 10 Metre boats average 16.5 meters in length.
- The class was used in the 1912 and 1920 Olympic Games.
- About 20 boats were built under the 10 Metre class.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name '10 Metre' actually refer to?
The '10' has nothing to do with the boat's physical length. It is the product value from a measurement formula under the International Rule that each hull must satisfy. The name is purely a formulaic label, not a dimension.
How long is a 10 Metre yacht?
These yachts average roughly 16.5 meters in overall length, well beyond what the name implies. The '10' is a calculated measurement figure, not a hull dimension.
Is the 10 Metre a design class or a construction class?
It is a construction class, meaning each boat was individually designed by its builder to meet the International Rule's measurement formula. There was no single identical plan; rather, every hull had to pass the same formulaic check to be eligible to race.
When did the 10 Metre compete in the Olympics?
The class was on the Olympic program at the 1912 Stockholm Games and again at the 1920 Antwerp Games. It has not returned to the Olympic schedule since those two appearances.
How many 10 Metre boats were ever built, and when was the class active?
Only about 20 boats were constructed in total. The class operated under the 1907 rule from 1907 to 1920 and then under a revised 1919 rule from 1920 to 1933.
More in Olympic sailing classes 1-24
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