q class sailboat

Welcome to 'The Falcon Study'

"Imagine the beauty and performance of a 1920's racing Sloop but manufactured today, combining traditional craftsmanship with the latest systems and materials - that's the Q7 'Falcon Study'. "  

Peter Silvester, Founder Q7 Yacht Designs

Q7 Yacht Designs

Celebrating the legacy of Universal  Rule Racing

Our mission is to celebrate the legacy and heritage of 'Falcon', a classic 1926 'Q Class' racing sailboat, designed to the 'Universal Rule of Measurement' and manufactured by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company.

The 'Universal Rule' as it became known was introduced by the renowned naval architect Nathanael Herreshoff in 1902, adopted by the New York Yacht Club in 1903 and used to determine eligibility for the America's Cup between 1914 and 1937. Characterized by narrow beams and long overhangs, 'Universal Rule' sailboats combine beauty, strength and performance, illustrated by that fact that many are still sailing and racing today.

'Falcon' is an original 1926 'Q Class' Sloop designed by Burgess, Swasey & Paine, lovingly restored by the boat builder John Anderson, now  sailed and raced in San Diego California by the Q7 Yacht Designs team.

Working with a unique partnership of world-class industry leaders, our goal is to celebrate the centenary of 'Falcon' with a new 'Q7' commission that re-imagines what she might have been if her original designers had access to the best systems, technologies and materials available today.

Q7 Yacht Designs, formed to sail and maintain the original 'Falcon' have re-imagined what a new 'Q7' could be in 2026. Dykstra Naval Architects , renowned for their work on the modern J Class fleet, have adapted the original Burgess, Swasey and Paine design and the team at  Spirit Yachts  will bring this vision to life with their unique blend of traditional craftsmanship, cutting edge systems and philosophy of sustainable manufacturing.

  By combining a beautiful and race proven design with the best craftsmanship, systems and materials available, we aim to create a modern classic that we hope will excite and inspire generations to come - this is the Q7 'Falcon Study'.

August 1930, 'Falcon' sailing in Marblehead Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection

About q7 yacht designs.

Q7 Yacht Designs was formed to maintain, sail and race 'Falcon', an original 1926 Q Class Sloop designed by Burgess, Swasey & Paine. 'Falcon' was manufactured in Bristol, Rhode Island by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. and lovingly restored between 2007 and 2012 by the renowned boat builder John Anderson. 

'Falcon' is the inspiration for the Q7 'Falcon Study', a unique project to create a new 'Q7' commission that celebrates the legacy and heritage of this race winning Q Class sailboat. 'Falcon' is currently located in San Diego, California where she sails and races under her original sail number 'Q7'.  

Our re-imagined 'Q7' will launch in 2026 to celebrate the centenary year of this classic racing sloop.

For more information about the history and racing heritage of 'Falcon' check out our sections on ' Raced ' and ' Restored '

The Q7 'Falcon Study'

The Q7 'Falcon Study' was inspired by the beauty and elegance of Universal Rule racing sailboats with their characteristic narrow beam and long overhangs, epitomized  by the magnificent J Class America's Cup  Yachts of the 1930's. A fortunate series of events and coincidences in the summer of 2023 led us to 'Falcon' and ultimately resulted in the formation of Q7 Yacht Designs to  become her next proud custodian. 

In 2023, following several years 'on the hard' in Rhode Island, 'Falcon' was transported to her  new home in San Diego. After carefully  introducing her to the Pacific and stepping the mast, the team set about tuning the rig and were delighted to learn what generations of sailors already knew - she sails as good as she looks!

What came next was an idea that grew to become a passion - what if we could take the  original race-proven hull lines and produce a new commission, using the best craftsmanship, materials and systems available today? a fitting  tribute to celebrate  the centenary of 'Falcon'.   The  goal would be to re-imagine what 'Falcon' might have been if her original designers had access to everything  we have 100 years later...

It turned out that this passion for classic 1920's design and race proven performance  was shared by some of the best boat builders and naval architects in the world resulting in the Q7  'Falcon Study' - a unique collaboration to create a tribute to the original 'Falcon', fueled by an international partnership of industry experts and sailing enthusiasts.

'Falcon' will be  Re-Imagined     by Q7 Yacht Designs , a company set up to sail, race and maintain the original 'Falcon'

Re-Designed   by Dykstra Naval Architects , renowned for their work on the modern J Class fleet

Re-Created  by the craftsmen and women at Spirit Yachts

We're looking forward to providing updates on our adventures in the original 'Falcon' and updates on the Q7  'Falcon Study'. Stay tuned!

Peter Silvester, Founder of Q7 Yacht Designs

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• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Revival of the Q Class – a mini J Class without all the costs and crew hassles

• August 17, 2016

The J Class may be the most famous yachts designed to the Universal Rule, but they are by no means the only ones. Rupert Holmes reports on the embryonic revival of the Q Class

Photo: James Robinson Taylor

Imagine owning a yacht with all the class, style and history of a J Class , but without the monumental costs and logistical challenges. This dream is well on the way to becoming a reality with the resurgence of the Q Class – the purchase and running costs of a Q are a whopping two orders of magnitude less than for the big yachts.

Anyone doubting the appeal of the Q Class has only to look at a list of former owners, which features two multiple America’s Cup winners, including Harold S. Vanderbilt in the 1920s and Dennis Conner, who undertook the first full restoration of a Q Class yacht.

The Q Class was the first built to the Universal Rule, which was adopted with the aim of providing more level racing by the New York Yacht Club after the 1903 America’s Cup. Prominent American designers, foremost among them the legendary Nathanael Herreshoff, drew up the Rule, and leading designers from around the world, including Charles E. Nicholson, Tore Holm and Johan Anker, were involved in drawing many of the boats. At least 16 Q Class boats were built between 1904 and 1937.

Most Q Class designs are a little under 50ft, with a beam of just over 9ft and a deep draught, although later boats tended to be a little longer and narrower. Although slightly beamier, they were very similar in terms of dimensions to the 8-metres built to the International Rule favoured in Europe at the time.

The revived class has a number of high-profile proponents, including French legend Bruno Troublé, former J Class secretary David Pitman and California-based yacht designer David Fladlien.

Restored examples

One boat that has already been making waves at classic regattas in the Mediterranean and UK is Pascal Oddo’s Jour de Fête . One of the later Q Class, she was built in 1930 to a design by Frank Paine and W. Starling Burgess and originally named Falcon ll . Jour de Fête underwent a complete restoration in 2007/08, retaining as many of the original fittings and timbers as possible.

She won a slew of prizes at last year’s Panerai British Classic Week , including 1st overall in Class 5 and the Lallow Cup for the best-presented new entrant. This followed a long run of successes in Mediterranean regattas including Marseille in 2013, 2014 and 2015, Les Voiles de St Tropez in 2014 and Panerai Antibes in the same year.

After World War II many of the boats migrated from the New England coast to the Great Lakes, particularly Chicago and Milwaukee, where a number were eventually lost. At one time it was thought that only three of the original boats were left, however Fladlien says: “I have information of various degrees of certainty about eight existing Q boats, including some which are sailing and others which are being restored.”

Leonore , a Johan Anker design built in Norway in 1925 and called Cotton Blossom ll for much of her life, was the first boat to undergo a full restoration. This was carried out in 2003/04 by Dennis Conner and she has been racing in classic regattas ever since. Grayling , a 1923 boat, is still racing in Canada’s Puget Sound, while Robin (from 1928) is available in California and ready for restoration.

Fladlien has developed a set of rules for the design of a modern-era Q Class, with the aim of bringing the class back in a modernised form. The vision is for two classifications: Vintage for pre-World War II designs and New Construction for those designed in very recent or contemporary times.

These would retain the same long overhangs, along with deep hulls to provide lots of headroom. Both classifications are included in a revised Universal Rule for the Q Class, with limitations imposed to keep the boats, old and new, reasonably close in performance.

The handicap system is based on a velocity prediction program (VPP) under which both new and vintage boats can race together with time allowance in a similar manner to the one currently used very successfully by the J Class.

SEA&SEE/Guido Cantini

The new rule also introduces a number of changes to make Qs both faster and more capable: modern wood construction, broader stern sections to provide a longer sailing length and better downwind stability, lower centre of gravity keel and higher aspect ratio sail plan for upwind efficiency.

At the same time, design restrictions have been increased, to discourage extreme shapes, while mandatory accommodation arrangements are intended to ensure cruising capabilities in the new boats. The rule allows for modern Q Class yachts to be built from wood epoxy, aluminium or composite, by any designer and any yard.

They are stunning boats that stand every chance of gathering an enthusiastic following.

Dimensions (Jour de Fête)

LOA 15.85m/52ft 0in

LWL 10.20m/33ft 7in

Beam 2.74m/9ft 0in

Draught 2.13m/7ft 0in

Displacement 10 tons

www. qclassyachts.com

At around 50ft the Q Class is still sufficiently large and powerful to have a good turn of speed, while even the best racing crews will have plenty to tweak and manoeuvres to perfect. This is Leonore .

Greater beam than typical European designs of the same period allows for more accommodation space

After Dennis Conner’s ownership, Cotton Blossom ll reverted to her original name of Leonore and her hull was painted white. She is in outstanding condition

Robin is an unrestored original Q Class. She’s lying at Rutherford’s Boatshop in Richmond, California and has the potential to make a hugely rewarding project

Spirit Yachts Announces New Contemporary Q Class Yacht Project

Known as “mini J Class” yachts and steeped in sailing heritage, Q Class yachts were originally built under the Universal Rule of Measurement in the early 1900s. This rule was developed by the renowned naval architect Nathanael Herreshoff and adopted by the New York Yacht Club in 1903 to set entry criteria for the America’s Cup and facilitate competitive racing. In the 1920s and 30s, at least 16 Q Class boats were constructed, some of which still compete today.

Spirit’s current project, “The Falcon Study,” is commissioned by Peter Silvester, the owner and founder of Q7 Yacht Designs. He owns an original Q Class yacht named Falcon. Built in 1926 by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company and raced under sail number Q7, Falcon recently relaunched on the U.S. west coast after extensive restoration, ahead of her centenary anniversary in 2026.

Peter Silvester commented, “ The ‘Falcon Study’ is a unique partnership of world-class industry leaders set up to honour the history and legacy of Falcon and to celebrate her centenary with a new commission launching in 2026. The ‘Falcon Study’ will re-imagine Falcon’s original design using the best systems, materials, and craftsmanship available today. ”

Peter added, “Imagine taking the beauty, sailing pleasure, and race winning pedigree of an original Q Class like Falcon and refining her to deliver optimum performance combined with modern maintenance characteristics and ease of use.”

Dykstra Naval Architects were engaged to adapt Falcon’s original line drawings by Burgess, Swasey, and Paine for modern sailing and contemporary construction. Their task was to preserve the original hull lines, full keel, and fractional rig, while incorporating state-of-the-art rigging, systems, and deck hardware.

The design brief from the client Peter Silvester was to “create a ‘modern masterpiece’ that could inspire generations of sailors for the next 100 years”.

Thys Nikkels, CEO Dykstra Naval Architects said, “ We love to focus on projects that make our hearts beat faster and the Falcon Study is certainly one of those. To be able to be part of a team that creates a new, re-imagined version of a Q Class Yacht is time well spent. ”

After extensive research into wooden boatbuilders worldwide, Spirit Yachts was selected as the chosen yard tasked with creating the yacht, which will be named ‘Q7 Victoria’ / the ‘Victoria commission’.

Spirit Yachts Managing Director Karen Underwood said, “ Our roots are embedded in wooden yacht construction, marrying timelessly classic design with modern technologies. The Falcon Study is a perfect fit for our in-house skills and fulfills our passion for custom projects commissioned by visionary owners. ”

Julian Weatherill, Head of Design and Production at Spirit Yachts, added, “ It has been a pleasure working with the talented team at Dykstra to realise the dream of a passionate and committed owner. Re-imagining a yacht with such historical sailing significance is both an honour and an exciting new challenge. Working closely with Peter and Dykstra, we will retain the authenticity of the Falcon whilst bringing our expertise in modern wood construction, sailing performance, electric propulsion, and luxury interiors to the project. ”

The project is in the final design stages with the build due to start this spring leading up to launch in 2026 to coincide with Falcon’s centenary anniversary.

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SPIRIT YACHTS ANNOUNCES Q CLASS COMMISSION

This month, Spirit Yachts has announced it has been commissioned to build a contemporary version of a Q Class yacht.

Sometimes known as a ‘mini J Class’ and steeped in sailing heritage, Q Class yachts were first built to the Universal Rule of Measurement in the early 1900s. Development of the rule was led by the famous naval architect Nathanael Herreshoff and adopted by the New York Yacht Club in 1903 to determine entry criteria for the America’s Cup and to facilitate competitive racing. At least 16 Q Class boats were built in the 1920s and 30s, some of which can be seen racing today.

Spirit’s current project (named ‘The Falcon Study’) is being commissioned by the owner and founder of Q7 Yacht Designs, Peter Silvester, who owns an original Q Class yacht named Falcon. Built in 1926 by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company and raced under sail number Q7, Falcon recently re-launched on the west coast of the USA following an extensive restoration ahead of her centenary anniversary in 2026.

Peter Silvester commented, “The ‘Falcon Study’ is a unique partnership of world-class industry leaders set up to honour the history and legacy of Falcon and to celebrate her centenary with a new commission launching in 2026. The ‘Falcon Study’ will re-imagine Falcon’s original design using the best systems, materials, and craftsmanship available today.”

Peter added, “Imagine taking the beauty, sailing pleasure, and race winning pedigree of an original Q Class like Falcon and refining her to deliver optimum performance combined with modern maintenance characteristics and ease of use.”

Dykstra Naval Architects were appointed to adapt Falcon’s original Burgess, Swasey and Paine line drawings for modern day sailing and contemporary manufacture. Dykstra was tasked to retain the original hull lines, full keel, and fractional rig, whilst introducing state of the art rigging, systems, and deck hardware.

The design brief from the client Peter Silvester was to “create a ‘modern masterpiece’ that could inspire generations of sailors for the next 100 years”.

Thys Nikkels, CEO Dykstra Naval Architects said, “We love to focus on projects that make our hearts beat faster and the Falcon Study is certainly one of those. To be able to be part of a team that creates a new, re-imagined version of a Q Class Yacht is time well spent.”

After extensive research into wooden boatbuilders worldwide, Spirit Yachts was selected as the chosen yard tasked with creating the yacht, which will be named ‘Q7 Victoria’ / the ‘Victoria commission’.

Spirit Yachts Managing Director Karen Underwood said, “Our roots are embedded in wooden yacht construction, marrying timelessly classic design with modern technologies. The Falcon Study is a perfect fit for our in-house skills and fulfils our passion for custom projects commissioned by visionary owners.”

Julian Weatherill, Head of Design and Production at Spirit Yachts, added, “It has been a pleasure working with the talented team at Dykstra to realise the dream of a passionate and committed owner. Re-imagining a yacht with such historical sailing significance is both an honour and an exciting new challenge. Working closely with Peter and Dykstra, we will retain the authenticity of the Falcon whilst bringing our expertise in modern wood construction, sailing performance, electric propulsion, and luxury interiors to the project.”

The project is in the final design stages with the build due to start this spring leading up to launch in 2026 to coincide with Falcon’s centenary anniversary.

Top black and white photo: June 1934, ‘Falcon’ sailing in Marblehead. Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

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Falcon Study by Spirit Yachts: New Q-Class Yacht Planned

Spirit Yachts announced in April that it has been commissioned to build a contemporary version of a Q-Class yacht, alongside Dykstra Naval Architects.

Q-class yachts.

Sometimes known as the ‘mini J Class’ and steeped in sailing heritage, Q-Class yachts were first built to the Universal Rule in the early 1900s, developed by Nathanael Herreshoff in the same period that Europe adopted the International Rule, AKA the Metre yachts. The Universal Rule was adopted by the New York Yacht Club in 1903 to determine entry criteria for the America’s Cup and facilitate competitive racing. It is best known today for the J-Class yachts, but at least 16 Q Class boats were built in the 1920s and 30s, some of which can be seen racing today, after a revival in their fortunes over the last two decades.

The ‘Falcon Study’

Spirit’s current project (named ‘The Falcon Study’) has been commissioned by the owner and founder of Q7 Yacht Designs, Peter Silvester, who owns the original 1926, Herreshoff-built, Q-Class yacht Falcon (sail number Q7). Falcon was recently re-launched on the west coast of the USA following an extensive restoration ahead of her centenary anniversary in 2026.

Peter Silvester commented: “The ‘Falcon Study’ is a unique partnership of world-class industry leaders set up to honour the history and legacy of Falcon and to celebrate her centenary with a new commission launching in 2026. The ‘Falcon Study’ will re-imagine Falcon ’s original design using the best systems, materials, and craftsmanship available today.”

Peter added: “Imagine taking the beauty, sailing pleasure, and race-winning pedigree of an original Q-Class like Falcon and refining her to deliver optimum performance combined with modern maintenance characteristics and ease of use.”

Dykstra Naval Architects was appointed to adapt Falcon ’s original Burgess, Swasey and Paine line drawings for modern-day sailing and contemporary manufacture. Dykstra was tasked to retain the original hull lines, full keel, and fractional rig, while introducing state-of-the-art rigging, systems, and deck hardware. The design brief from the client was to “create a ‘modern masterpiece’ that could inspire generations of sailors for the next 100 years.”

Thys Nikkels, CEO of Dykstra Naval Architects said: “We love to focus on projects that make our hearts beat faster and the Falcon Study is certainly one of those. Being part of a team creating a new, reimagined version of a Q-Class Yacht is time well spent.”

Spirit Yachts MD Karen Underwood said: “Our roots are embedded in wooden yacht construction, marrying timelessly classic design with modern technologies. The Falcon Study is a perfect fit for our in-house skills and fulfils our passion for custom projects commissioned by visionary owners.”

The project is in the final design stages with the build due to start this spring leading up to launch in 2026 to coincide with Falcon ’s centenary anniversary.

For more info on Spirit Yachts go to their website .

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Q Class Yacht Revival Features

The Q class is revived and it represents a mini version of the J class at less cost as well as less hassles for crew members. Most people would agree that the J class has been designed in accordance with the Universal Rule.

There are several famous people who have owned Q class yachts such as Dennis Conner and Harold S Vanderbilt, who were former owners of this yacht and were winners of American Cup. They were pioneers in restoring the Q class yacht to full working condition.

The first model design of the yacht was built as per the universal rule. It was adopted to allow level racing possible by clubs like New York Yacht Club after the America Cup was held in 1903, and has since been adopted by everyone from Split Yacht Charter to the American Olympic Team. Nathanael Herreshoff came up with the rule as a prominent American designer and conferred with other designers around the world. These included Johan Anker, Tore Holm and Charles E. Nicholson.

After the initial design there were 16 models built in the subsequent years. The designs include boat heights under 50 feet with a beam at over 9 ft height and a draught of considerable depth. Later designs have been narrower and longer. The revived class is being supported by many, such as Bruno Trouble the French legend as well as yacht designer David Fladlien and others.

Jour de Fete is a class Q class boat that participated in several regattas in the UK and in the Mediterranean. She was built in the thirties, which was restored completely in the year 2007-2008.

Spirit Yachts Announces Q Class Commission

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Spirit Yachts commissioned to build Q Class

Monday, April 8th, 2024

Written by: Zella Compton

British modern classic yacht company Spirit Yachts has been commissioned to build a contemporary version of a Q Class yacht. Alongside Dykstra Naval Architects, Spirit was selected as the build yard by the project’s owner. The project is now in the final design stages with the build due to start shortly.

Sometimes known as a ‘mini J Class’ and steeped in sailing heritage, Q Class yachts were first built to the Universal Rule of Measurement in the early 1900s. Development of the rule was led by famous naval architect Nathanael Herreshoff and adopted by the New York Yacht Club in 1903 to determine entry criteria for the America’s Cup and facilitate competitive racing. At least 16 Q Class boats were built in the 1920s and 30s, some of which can be seen racing today.

Spirit Yacht’s current project, the Falcon Study, is being commissioned by the owner and founder of Q7 Yacht Designs, Peter Silvester. He already owns an original Q Class yacht named Falcon. Built in 1926 by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company and raced under sail number Q7, Falcon recently re-launched on the west coast of the USA following an extensive restoration ahead of her centenary anniversary in 2026 (new build’s launch is expected to coincide).

“The Falcon Study is a unique partnership of worldclass industry leaders set up to honour the history and legacy of Falcon and to celebrate her centenary with a new commission launching in 2026,” says Peter Silvester. “The Falcon Study will re-imagine Falcon’s original design using the best systems, materials, and craftsmanship available today.

“Imagine taking the beauty, sailing pleasure, and race winning pedigree of an original Q Class like Falcon and refining her to deliver optimum performance combined with modern maintenance characteristics and ease of use.”

Dykstra Naval Architects was appointed to adapt Falcon’s original Burgess, Swasey and Paine line drawings for modern day sailing and contemporary manufacture.

Dykstra was tasked to retain the original hull lines, full keel, and fractional rig, while introducing state of the art rigging, systems, and deck hardware.

“We love to focus on projects that make our hearts beat faster and the Falcon Study is certainly one of those,” says Thys Nikkels, CEO Dykstra Naval Architects . “To be able to be part of a team that creates a new, re-imagined version of a Q Class Yacht is time well spent.”

After extensive research into wooden boatbuilders worldwide, Spirit Yachts was selected as the chosen yard tasked with creating the yacht, which will be named Q7 Victoria (the Victoria commission).

“Our roots are embedded in wooden yacht construction, marrying timelessly classic design with modern technologies,” says Spirit Yachts MD Karen Underwood. “The Falcon Study is a perfect fit for our in-house skills and fulfils our passion for custom projects commissioned by visionary owners.”

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The Q Class Universal Sailboats at SSYC

Beginning in the early 1930’s, prior to the club house even being built, members at SSYC were beginning to purchase Q Class Universal sailboats from New England and bringing them back to SSYC.  This era marked the domination of the Q’s in racing on Lake Michigan.  Over the years there have been at least 9 Q’s at SSYC with 8 of them being memorialized by the half-models in the SSYC clubhouse which were donated by Otto Dreher, the owner of Q-7 Lively Lady, one of the most successful Q’s at SSYC. 

Click here to download a presentation that highlights the history of the Q’s, their journey to Milwaukee and their current whereabouts.  (Just be aware, it is a large PDF document.)

South Shore Yacht Club

2300 e nock street, milwaukee, wi 53207, (414) 481-2331.

[email protected]

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Flathead Lake Lodge

Sailing Into Our 70th Summer

It has been over 10 years since the Questa has sailed Flathead Lake. This summer we will be launching the Questa back into the water to rejoin its sister ship, the Nor’Easter V.

Both the Questa and Nor’Easter V are Q-class boats, which are built to the standard set for racing in the America’s Cup. These Q class boats were built following a formula developed by Nathanael Herreshoff in 1903, first called Herreshoff Rule, only later to set the standard for the Universal Rule, the qualifying rule for the America’s Cup. Both Questa and Nor’easter V were drawn by L. Francis Herreshoff, the son of Nathanael and would end up being the only two Qs he designed. L. Francis Herreshoff would complete the builds of his design for the Nor’Easter V in 1928 and Questa in 1929. Today there are only 16 Q-class boats in restored condition worldwide with the Nor’ Easter being the winningest boat in the Great Mackinac Island Race . It’s a long way from Long Island Sound and Marblehead, Massachusetts, where the class started, to Flathead Lake, and it all began 28 years ago while Doug was in Minneapolis, Minnesota, building flight time for his pilot’s license. He happened to strike up a conversation with a Gentleman named Bob in a yacht club that he says went like this: Bob: “Gee, I wish I could afford going to Montana to hunt deer, but not until I am able to get rid of this old boat.” Doug: “Old boat? What old boat?” Bob: “I have this dilapidated old racing sloop.” Doug: “How bad is it?” I’ve been thinking about buying a sailboat for the lake at my guest ranch near Glacier National Park .” Before the night was over, Doug agreed to buy the boat if the Bob would haul it to Flathead Lake. In return, Bob would receive the Montana hunting trip he had always dreamt about. The Questa was not quite as bad as Doug had feared. With a bit of cosmetic attention made it possible to launch her that summer with a crane from a cow pasture next to the Flathead River. By 1989, the Questa was put in the shop for a structural restoration, not an easy undertaking considering the proximity of Montana to the closest ocean and capable shipwrights. The Questa and Nor’easter raced for many summers and in 2005 the Questa went back to the shop for a new deck, house, sheer plank and structural reinforcement of the mast step. This summer, the Lodge’s 70th year, the Questa will again join the Nor’Easter sailing Flathead Lake .

Shipwright, John Derry has been maintaining the Nor’Easter and the Questa for over 20 years now. John started his career in carpentry and mason work, but soon found himself fascinated with the dynamic make up of boats. John gained most of his knowledge working on the coast of Maine in his two year apprenticeship. Following his time in school he worked at numerous ship yards along the Coast. In the late 80’s he came back to Montana and found the Questa through a friend that had gone on a sail earlier that summer. John visited the Lodge in the fall of 88’, but it wasn’t until the following summer and a post card to Doug asking if he could trade out sailing time for labor, did he start working. Still to this day John is astonished and extremely proud of what the Nor’Easter and Questa have become. Over the years John along with his crew have not only completely refurbished the sailboats, but they have made the Questa stronger than it was when it was originally built in 1929.

Every winter both boats get a fresh coat of paint, 15 coats of varnish, rigging fixes and updates to any other parts that may have worn over the course of the summer. Depending on lake levels, but typically the second week in June we bring in a crane to lower the sail boats into the water and raise the masts. There is only one crane in this part of the state capable of launching the boats, and to this day only two operators, a son a father who have taken on the challenge. Although it only takes a few hours to get the boats in the water, it can take up to a week before the boats wooden structures swell up closing the many leaking cracks. This time is also used making sure all the rigging is in its proper places.

According to the Flathead Lake Biological Center, “The Lake level and its outflow are regulated by Kerr Dam, which is located on the Lower Flathead River near Polson. Kerr Dam was completed in 1938 by the Montana Power Company, raised the Lake level 10 feet above its natural level, and generates 194 megawatts of electricity. It is cooperatively operated by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Regulation by the dam results in the Lake level fluctuating seasonally 10 feet between 2,883 and 2,893 feet above sea level. If snowpack conditions in the mountains do not threaten flooding, lake level is brought to 2,890 feet by the end of May and to full pool by June 15 for summer recreation. Due to its large volume and fetch (distance of water across which wind blows), Flathead Lake requires very cold and calm conditions to freeze entirely. Therefore, most winters it does not freeze over, although some bays and margins have ice cover. The biological station’s historic observations show that the Lake froze over about once each decade, however the Lake has not entirely frozen since 1988-89 (March only) and 1989-90 (January only).” Flathead Lake is 27.3 miles long, 15.5 miles wide and 370.7 feet deep.

After many years of hard work and dedication we are extremely excited to get the Questa back in the lake. We would love to have you and your friends and family come sail the Nor’Easter or Questa. Check out flatheadlakesailing.com for more information and to book your Flathead Lake Excursion.

The Q Class Universal Sailboats at SSYC

Beginning in the early 1930’s, prior to the club house even being built, members at SSYC were beginning to purchase Q Class Universal sailboats from New England and bringing them back to SSYC.  This era marked the domination of the Q’s in racing on Lake Michigan.  Over the years there have been at least 9 Q’s at SSYC with 8 of them being memorialized by the half-models in the SSYC clubhouse which were donated by Otto Dreher, the owner of Q-7 Lively Lady, one of the most successful Q’s at SSYC. 

Click here to download a presentation that highlights the history of the Q’s, their journey to Milwaukee and their current whereabouts.  (Just be aware, it is a large PDF document.)

South Shore Yacht Club

2300 e nock street, milwaukee, wi 53207, (414) 481-2331.

[email protected]

Measurement Rule

• A new version of the Universal Rule of Measurement, under which new construction Q boats will race level, without handicap
• handicap system based on a proven velocity prediction program (Vpp), under which both new and vintage boats can race together with time allowance; this system is similar to the one used very successfully by the J Class today
• Modern wood construction to produce a stronger, healthier boat
• Longer maximum Quarter Beam Length (QBL) to produce fuller broader sterns for more sailing length and better downwind stability
• Lower lead for lower center of gravity and greater driving power, even with a nice interior
• Higher aspect ratio sail plan for greater upwind efficiency
• Greatly increased design restrictions to keep the boats competitive and discourage extremes which might obsolete an existing fleet of new construction boats
• Mandatory internal arrangements and accommodations to ensure cruising capabilities in the new boats

17 Sailboat Types Explained: How To Recognize Them

Ever wondered what type of sailboat you're looking at? Identifying sailboats isn't hard, you just have to know what to look for. In this article, I'll help you.

Every time I'm around a large number of sailboats, I look around in awe (especially with the bigger ones). I recognize some, but with most of them, I'll have to ask the owner. When they answer, I try to hide my ignorance. The words don't make any sense!

So here's a complete list with pictures of the most common sailboat types today. For each of them, I'll explain exactly where the name comes from, and how you can recognize it easily.

So here's my list of popular sailboat types, explained:

Bermuda sloop, sailing hydrofoil, dutch barge, chinese junk, square-rigged tall ship, in conclusion, how to recognize any sailboat.

Before we get started, I wanted to quickly explain what you should look for when you try to identify a sailboat.

The type of sailboat is always determined by one of these four things:

• The type of hull
• The type of keel
• The number of masts
• And the type of sails and rig

The hull is the boat's body. There are basically three hull types: monohull, catamaran, and trimaran. Simply said: do I see one hull, two hulls (catamaran) or three hulls (trimaran)? Most sailboats are monohulls.

Next, there is the keel type. The keel is the underwater part of the hull. Mostly, you won't be able to see that, because it's underwater. So we'll leave that for now.

The sail plan

The last factor is the number of masts and the sail plan. The sail plan, simply put, is the number of sails, the type of sails, and how the sails are mounted to the masts (also called rigging ).

Sailboat are mostly named after the sail plan, but occasionally, a sail type is thrown in there as well.

So now we know what to pay attention to, let's go and check out some sailboats!

Dinghies are the smallest and most simple sailboats around.

They are your typical training sailboats. Small boats with an open hull, with just one mast and one sail. Perfect for learning the ways of the wind.

On average, they are between 6 and 20 ft long. Mostly sailed single-handed (solo). There's no special rigging, just the mainsail. The mainsail is commonly a Bermuda (triangular) mainsail. Dinghies have a simple rudder stick and no special equipment or rigging.

Dinghies are great for learning how to sail. The smaller the boat, the better you feel the impact of your trim and actions.

How to recognize a sailing dinghy:

• short (8ft)
• one Bermuda sail
• open hull design
• rudder stick

Common places to spot them: lakes, near docks

If you'd ask a kid to draw a sailboat, she'll most probably draw this one. The Bermuda Sloop is the most popular and most common sailboat type today. You'll definitely recognize this one.

How to recognize a Bermuda Sloop:

• triangular mainsail (called a Bermuda sail)
• a foresail (also called the jib)
• fore-and-aft rigged
• medium-sized (12 - 50 ft)

Fore-and-aft rigged just means "from front to back". This type of rigging helps to sail upwind.

Any sailboat with one mast and two sails could still be a sloop. Even if the sails are another shape or rigged in another way. For example, here's a gaff-rigged sloop (more on the gaff rig later):

If you want to learn all about sail rigs, check out my full Guide to Understanding Sail Rig Types here. It has good infographics and explains it in more detail

The Bermuda sloop has a lot of advantages over other sailboat types (which is why it's so popular):

• the Bermuda rig is very maneuverable and pretty fast in almost all conditions
• it's really versatile
• you can sail it by yourself without any problems
• it's a simple setup

Common places to spot a sloop: everywhere. Smaller sloops are more common for inland waters, rivers, and lakes. Medium-sized and large sloops are very popular cruising boats.

Cutters have one mast but three or more sails. Most cutters are Bermuda rigged, which means they look a lot like sloops.

How to recognize a cutter:

• looks like a sloop
• two or more headsails instead of one
• commonly one mast
• sometimes an extra mast with mainsail

Cutters have more sail area, which makes them faster, but also harder to sail single-handed. There's also more strain on the mast and rigging.

Common places to spot a cutter: everywhere. Cutters are very popular for cruising.

They mostly have a Bermuda rig, which means triangular sails. But there are also gaff cutters and naval cutters, and some have two masts.

Here's an example of a two-masted naval cutter with an extra gaff mainsail and top gaff:

The Hydrofoil is a pretty new sailboat design. It's a racing sailboat with thin wing foils under the hull. These lift up the hull, out of the water, reducing the displacement to nearly zero. The foils create downforce and keep it from lifting off entirely.

This makes the hydrofoil extremely fast and also impressive.

The hydrofoil refers to the keel type. There are both monohull and multihull hydrofoils.

How to recognize a hydrofoil:

• it flies above the waterline and has small fins

Common places to spot a hydrofoil: at racing events

Famous catamaran: La Vagabonde from Sailing La Vagabonde

A catamaran is a type of cruising and racing multihull sailboat with two hulls. The hulls are always the same size.

Most catamarans have a standard Bermuda rig. The catamaran refers to the hull, so it can have any number of masts, sails, sail types and rig type.

How to recognize a catamaran:

• any boat with two hulls is called a catamaran

Common places to spot catamarans: coastal waters, The Caribbean, shallow reefs

The advantages of a catamaran: Catamarans heel less than monohulls and are more buoyant. Because of the double hull, they don't need as deep a keel to be stable. They have a smaller displacement, making them faster. They also have a very shallow draft. That's why catamarans are so popular in the Caribbean, where there's lots of shallow water.

Catamarans are nearly impossible to capsize:

"Compared with a monohull, a cruising catamaran sailboat has a high initial resistance to heeling and capsize—a fifty-footer requires four times the force to initiate a capsize than an equivalent monohull." Source: Wikipedia

How to recognize a trimaran:

• any boat with three hulls is called a trimaran

Trimarans have three hulls, so it's a multi-hull design. It's mostly a regular monohull with two smaller hulls or floaters on the sides. Some trimarans can be trailered by winching in the auxiliary hulls, like this:

This makes them very suitable for long-term cruising, but also for regular docking. This is great for crowded areas and small berths, like in the Mediterranean. It sure is more cost-effective than the catamaran (but you also don't have the extra storage and living space!).

Common places to spot Trimarans: mostly popular for long-term cruising, you'll find the trimaran in coastal areas.

Gaffer refers to gaff-rigged, which is the way the sails are rigged. A gaff rig is a rectangular sail with a top pole, or 'spar', which attaches it to the mast. This pole is called the 'gaff'. To hoist the mainsail, you hoist this top spar with a separate halyard. Most gaffers carry additional gaff topsails as well.

Gaff rigs are a bit less versatile than sloops. Because of the gaff, they can have a larger sail area. So they will perform better with downwind points of sail. Upwind, however, they handle less well.

How to recognize a gaffer:

• sail is rectangular
• mainsail has a top pole (or spar)

Since a gaffer refers to the rig type, and not the mast configuration or keel type, all sailboats with this kind of rigging can be called 'gaffers'.

Common places to spot a gaffer: Gaffers are popular inland sailboats. It's a more traditional rig, being used recreationally.

Schooners used to be extremely popular before sloops took over. Schooners are easy to sail but slower than sloops. They handle better than sloops in all comfortable (cruising) points of sail, except for upwind.

How to recognize a schooner:

• mostly two masts
• smaller mast in front
• taller mast in the back
• fore-and-aft rigged sails
• gaff-rigged mainsails (spar on top of the sail)

Common places to spot a schooner: coastal marinas, bays

How to recognize a ketch:

• medium-sized (30 ft and up)
• smaller mast in back
• taller mast in front
• both masts have a mainsail

The ketch refers to the sail plan (mast configuration and type of rig). Ketches actually handle really well. The back mast (mizzenmast) powers the hull, giving the skipper more control. Because of the extra mainsail, the ketch has shorter masts. This means less stress on masts and rigging, and less heel.

Common places to spot a ketch: larger marinas, coastal regions

How to recognize a yawl:

• main mast in front
• much smaller mast in the back
• back mast doesn't carry a mainsail

The aft mast is called a mizzenmast. Most ketches are gaff-rigged, so they have a spar at the top of the sail. They sometimes carry gaff topsails. They are harder to sail than sloops.

The yawl refers to the sail plan (mast configuration and type of rig).

Common places to spot a yawl: they are not as popular as sloops, and most yawls are vintage sailboat models. You'll find most being used as daysailers on lakes and in bays.

Dutch Barges are very traditional cargo ships for inland waters. My hometown is literally littered with a very well-known type of barge, the Skutsje. This is a Frisian design with leeboards.

Skutsjes don't have a keel but use leeboards for stability instead, which are the 'swords' or boards on the side of the hull.

How to recognize a Dutch Barge:

• most barges have one or two masts
• large, wooden masts
• leeboards (wooden wings on the side of the hull)
• mostly gaff-rigged sails (pole on top of the sail, attached to mast)
• a ducktail transom

The clipper is one of the latest sailboat designs before steam-powered vessels took over. The cutter has a large cargo area for transporting cargo. But they also needed to be fast to compete with steam vessels. It's a large, yet surprisingly fast sailboat model, and is known for its good handling.

This made them good for trade, especially transporting valuable goods like tea or spices.

How to recognize a Clipper:

• mostly three masts
• square-rigged sails
• narrow but long, steel hull

Common places to spot a clipper: inland waters, used as houseboats, but coastal waters as well. There are a lot of clippers on the Frisian Lakes and Waddenzee in The Netherlands (where I live).

This particular junk is Satu, from the Chesapeake Bay Area.

The Chinese Junk is an ancient type of sailboat. Junks were used to sail to Indonesia and India from the start of the Middle Ages onward (500 AD). The word junk supposedly comes from the Chinese word 'jung', meaning 'floating house'.

How to recognize a Chinese junk:

• medium-sized (30 - 50 ft)
• large, flat sails with full-length battens
• stern (back of the hull) opens up in a high deck
• mostly two masts (sometimes one)
• with two mainsails, sails are traditionally maroon
• lug-rigged sails

The junk has a large sail area. The full-length battens make sure the sails stay flat. It's one of the flattest sails around, which makes it good for downwind courses. This also comes at a cost: the junk doesn't sail as well upwind.

The cat rig is a sail plan with most commonly just one mast and one sail, the mainsail.

Most sailing dinghies are cats, but there are also larger boats with this type of sail plan. The picture above is a great example.

How to recognize a cat rig:

• smaller boats
• mostly one mast
• one sail per mast
• no standing rigging

Cat-rigged refers to the rigging, not the mast configuration or sail type. So you can have cats with a Bermuda sail (called a Bermuda Cat) or gaff-rigged sail (called a Gaff Cat), and so on. There are also Cat Ketches and Cat Schooners, for example. These have two masts.

The important thing to know is: cats have one sail per mast and no standing rigging .

Most typical place to spot Cats: lakes and inland waters

Famous brig: HMS Beagle (Charles Darwin's ship)

A brig was a very popular type of small warship of the U.S. navy during the 19th century. They were used in the American Revolution and other wars with the United Kingdom. They carry 10-18 guns and are relatively fast and maneuverable. They required less crew than a square-rigged ship.

How to recognize a brig:

• square-rigged foremast
• mainmast square-rigged or square-rigged and gaff-rigged

How to recognize a tall ship:

• three or four masts
• square sails with a pole across the top
• multiple square sails on each mast
• a lot of lines and rigging

Square-rigged ships, or tall ships, are what we think of when we think of pirate ships. Now, most pirate ships weren't actually tall ships, but they come from around the same period. They used to be built from wood, but more modern tall ships are nearly always steel.

Tall ships have three or four masts and square sails which are square-rigged. That means they are attached to the masts with yards.

We have the tall ship races every four years, where dozens of tall ships meet and race just offshore.

Most common place to spot Tall Ships: Museums, special events, open ocean

This is a bonus type since it is not very common anymore. As far as I know, there's only one left.

The Trabaccolo is a small cargo ship used in the Adriatic Sea. It has lug sails. A lug rig is a rectangular sail, but on a long pole or yard that runs fore-and-aft. It was a popular Venetian sailboat used for trade.

The name comes from the Italian word trabacca , which means tent, referring to the sails.

How to recognize a Trabaccolo:

• wide and short hull
• sails look like a tent

Most common place to spot Trabaccolo's: the Marine Museum of Cesenatico has a fully restored Trabaccolo.

So, there you have it. Now you know what to look for, and how to recognize the most common sailboat types easily. Next time you encounter a magnificent sailboat, you'll know what it's called - or where to find out quickly.

I loved this article. I had no idea there were so many kinds of sailboats.

i have a large sailing boat about 28ft. that im having a difficult time identifying. it was my fathers & unfortunately hes passed away now. any helpful information would be appreciated.

Jorge Eusali Castro Archbold

I find a saleboat boat but i can find the módem…os registré out off bru’x, and the saleboat name is TADCOZ, can you tell me who to go about this matter in getting info.thank con voz your time…

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