six meter yachts

Introduction to the The Six Metre – 100 Years of Racing, written by Olin Stephens

“As a retired yacht designer I hope readers will find me justified in outlining technical developments as they affected the Six Metre class throughout its acceptance and growth, as those were the considerations that seemed important to me at the time.

In early days, such developments in naval architecture and yacht design seemed to occur in spurts and have resulted from the individual vision of one man, such as Isaac Newton in the last half of the 17th century, who offered the reach of calculus. This was followed by studies of the dynamics of ships in motion, of which the most comprehensive were carried out by a French scientist, Pierre Bouguer in association with the University of Basle, Switzerland, with his detailed studies of elements, in fields like hydrodynamics and rigging design. I introduce Bouguer because his work led the way to predicted performance which, after a gap of 200 years, Kenneth Davidson’s concentration on the performance in the Six Metre class led the way to its exceptional growth.

Davidson, as an engineer and a sailor, was the first person to envisage the use of very small models for tank tests, in place of the large ones then required by current practice. These were roughly 18 to 20 feet long and weighed in the neighbourhood of a ton. It happened that in searching for a known model to test he came to my office on City Island, New York City, where I had a model of the Six Metre Natka, which had been made by my brother Rod and which he had used in experiments on rigs. Using this model, Davidson continued towing experiments on which his valuable 1936 paper was based.

At the turn of the 19th and 20th Centuries design activity was associated internationally with increased in classification and rating rules. The fastest boats, both large and small on both sides of the Atlantic were poor sea boats with light displacement and very long ends. In the US Herreshoff’s “Universal Rule” came into being as a corrective and in Europe in 1906, international conferences met in the UK under the auspices of the Prince of Wales, which produced the First Interational Racing Classes Rule, initially for European use. Subsequently, in 1921 after international discussion and with only partial agreement within the US, Boston and Marblehead holding out, this rule was adopted by the new NAYRU and the NVYC for classes smaller than the 12 Metre class. It became the prototype rule for the Six Metre class and developed into a modified rule known as the Third International Metre Rule.

1924 6-Metre Olympics

Back in the 1930s yachts were considered old after 20 years or less. That age would be doubled today without any surprise, while even older and badly deteriorated hulls are now picked up by delightful owners who spend freely to restore them and it is interesting to speculate just why. Certainly the best materials were available before the Second World War and the best yards then had skilled shipwrights. Perhaps in this age of mass production, there is reassurance of craftmanship and value in the older and simpler hulls.

Appreciation of individually created art is as old as man himself, but the high status of other useful objects such as yachts has come about in only very recent times and with Six Metres only within the last 15 years or so. Am I right that this is new? To be unique contributes value and is surely part of the charm that the Six Metres most certainly have.” (Extract from The Six Metre – 100 Years of Racing, edited by Pekka Barck and Tim Street.)

On the International Six Metre Association website a timeline has been built for the class and can be found at the  Evolution of the 6 Metre Class .

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British International Six Metre Association

Welcome to the online home of the British International Six Metre Association.

Over 1,200 Six Metre boats were built in total, of which some 450 are still in existence today and the UK has one of the largest fleets. Some early Fife boats built in 1907 are still sailing – often against Moderns. Some Classics have been beautifully modified for cruising and others race regularly.

The class covers a wide range of sailing, whilst at the same time retaining the heritage of international racing in thoroughbred boats that don’t have to break the bank. All have one thing in common: their distinctive sailing silhouette and an adherence to a tried and tested formula. A tribute to the designers and builders. There is no doubt the class generates a passion and devotion driven by the stunning appearance of the boats and their historical significance.

Now well over 100 years since the first rule was written, metre boats have been at the forefront of yacht development ever since – they were amongst the first boats sailing in the Olympics, right from the 1908 London Olympics until 1952 in Helsinki. 6mRs were also used for the British-American Cup (team racing and an event far more prestigious than the America’s Cup in its day) and the Seawanhaka Cup (match racing) throughout the 1930’s.

Of the other international rule classes, the 8mRs have been the first choice boat for European Royalty, some of the 23mR were converted to ‘J’-class yachts and the 12mR were the boats used to challenge for the America’s Cup for 30 years once racing started again after the war and until a more modern derivative was designed.

Hull designs have always been technologically advanced. Wing keels, rod shrouds and the latest in sail design and build on the Moderns contrast with the ageless wooden decks and fittings of the Classics. Both classes sail together; often the fastest Classics mixing it with the Moderns. 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. The International Six Metre Association has members in many European and American sailing centres.

Aims of BISMA

The UK 6mR fleet is largely based in the Solent with another group of boats in the West Country. The programme is devised to provide maximum opportunity to sail together, combined with the ability of the boats to get to each venue by sailing or transport. Many boats have a 7.5 ton lorry which is sufficient to move the boats and at each venue launching facilities are organised.

Friends & Crewing

If you have an interest in the class, please  register as a ‘Friend’  or become an Associate Member to support the class. Regular crew are encouraged to become Associate Members. Click here for Membership details .

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• About the Six Metres

The International Six Metre class of competitive sailing boats has a long history, stemming from the introduction of the International Rule – also known as the Metre Rule – in 1907. Several sizes of International Rule boats became popular, including Eights and Twelves, but it is the Sixes that have formed by far the largest class.

Six Metre Basics

Six Metres are all similar in design at around 11 metres, or 36 feet, in length. Their ideal sailing conditions are calm waters with winds up to force 5. They are raced with a crew of five people, although they can be handled with fewer. Most have a Bermudan rig with a mainsail and overlapping genoa. On downwind legs they will sail with a large spinnaker.

Much like racing cars, Six Metres are stripped down to the basics to save weight. They provide little shelter from the weather and have no creature comforts. They are notoriously wet boats to sail, meaning that the crew must come prepared for all conditions.

A Development Class

The International Rule very rapidly became the basis for designing yachts to a specific rating so that they could compete boat-for boat without a handicap. Unlike One Design classes where every boat is identical, boats built to the International Rule have a degree of flexibility in design. As long as their dimensions conform to the Rule, designers can be creative, meaning that each boat is different but they compete on a level playing field without handicaps. This degree of creativity helps to push the boundaries of boat design, each new boat trying to gain the competitive edge over their peers whilst still meeting the requirements of the class.

Changing the Rules

The original First International Rule was supposed to be reviewed after 10 years, but the world situation meant that the review which generated the Second Rule did not complete until 1923. A further review produced the Third Rule in 1933, and the Rule has been subject to a number of amendments since then, but the basic principle of the Rule has remained unchanged.

Throughout the history of the Class, the International Six Metre has been a hotbed for technical innovation with the world’s leading yacht designers and sailors bringing often radical concepts and technical excellence to the fleet. An Olympic Class from 1908 to 1952, the Sixes were also frequently used as a development testbed for the America’s Cup 12 Metres.

Changing Fortunes

The Class has inevitably seen peaks and troughs of activity. The 1920s and 30s saw a frenzy of new boat construction, but after the second world war there was a focus on smaller boats which brought about a downturn. The adoption of the Twelve Metre for the America’s Cup in 1958, however, brought renewed interest in the International Rule and generated a number of design innovations, and so began the resurgence of this extraordinary class.

Clever management of both the Rule and the international class association by its dedicated officers and members has seen the International Six Metre return to its rightful place as one of the most exciting and important racing fleets. It brings together the elegance of the Classic Division with the cutting-edge development of the modern boats in the Open Division, in a regatta circuit that takes competitors to some of the most spectacular yachting venues around the globe. The World Championships, held every two years, has in recent years has been held in Canada, France, Germany and Finland with sailors bringing their boats across the globe to compete in this exciting and often tightly fought competition. Such is the level of sailing, that the class attracts some of the best sailors in the world, from America’s Cup winners to Olympic gold medalists.

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An interview with Rainer Muller about the International 6 Metre Worlds

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• Sailboat Guide

6-Meter (International)

6-Meter (International) is a 36 ′ 8 ″ / 11.2 m monohull sailboat designed by Various starting in 1907.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Olympic class between 1908-1952 when it was replaced by the International 5.5 Meter. Dimensions are approximate since this is a development class, originally built to the International rule. 400 are thought to still be in existence with about 300 still in racing condition. Photo: Nancii Bernard

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The six metre yacht has been enjoyed by thousands of sailors for over a hundred years. Almost all are uniquely designed to win races and many are beautifully restored and currently active around the world, attracting America's Cup sailors to family crews.

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Show photos from latest 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995

Six Metre Worlds

31 August to 8 September – Cowes, UK

Cowes is the historic home of yachting on the south coast of the UK and is a world renowned regatta venue.

The International Six Metre World Championships in 2023 will be hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) from its stunning waterside clubhouse overlooking the Solent.

The Squadron’s race management team is world class and runs multiple international regattas and championships each season. Racing for the Six Metre Worlds will be held on windward leeward courses in the eastern Solent area.

Cowes offers plenty of places to stay at a range of levels and further information about this can be found on our Accommodation page . There is also a wide range of cafes, bars and restaurants and well as great local shops and galleries.

Further afield the Isle of Wight is a wonderful tourist destination with a host of interesting places and attractions to visit. Click here for more information about visiting the Isle of Wight.

• MYA Districts
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• Six Metre Class (6M)
• Measurement & Certification

Status of Class: Adopted Administrative Body: MYA

This MYA national class is a scaled down version of the full sized International Six Metre class rule. The overhangs make the boats elegant and graceful on the water. Being displacement boats they rely on the hull shape, as well as the ballast, for their stability. It therefore provides a somewhat different, distinctly ‘yacht like’ sailing experience. It is particularly suited to lakes with restricted depth.

It is a class that lends itself for those who enjoy home building with a number of designs available. This, together with the need for only one mast, a main boom and a jib boom together with just two suits of sails, helps make this an ideal class of boat for the more cost conscious sailor.

• Six Metre Class Events here
• Contact the Six Metre Class Captain here
• Six Metre Class GBR website here
• Six Metre Class Rules attached below
• Six Metre Class Measurement Procedure here
• Six Metre Class Measurement Forms attached below
• Six Metre Boats For Sale or Wanted here
• Please visit our  Knowledgebase  or  Q&A  for more help

Attachments

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International 6 Metre Association

Category archives: market place, for sale – gbr 42 – melita.

Melita was designed and built at Fairlie in Scotland by William Fife in 1934. Originally built for Sir Ronald Teacher, she has a wonderful racing track record and great potential to turn heads and to win regattas. She is ready to be raced but would benefit from a modest investment by the new owner to bring her up to concours condition; her performance might also be further improved by some strengthening of the area around the mast step.

She has been in her current ownership for 20 years, racing regularly with the UK fleet and in France, including Worlds in 2005 and 2007, and  at the 2008 Europeans in La Trinite. In 2022 she raced in the British Classic Yacht Club Regatta and the Royal Yacht Squadron’s Fife Regatta and in 2023 was preparing to race in the Worlds in Cowes. Unfortunately she had to withdraw from the Worlds due to her owner being incapacitated at that time.

She has a good inventory which includes:

• Benn’s aluminium mast and boom
• Tactics Wireless set for wind, compass, depth, boat speed etc 
• Carbon spinnaker pole x 2
• Roller headfoil
• Adjustable genoa cars
• Lewmar self-tail winches for main sheet, jib/spinnaker sheets and running back stays
• Mast table with winches below deck for all halliards, main outhaul, pole lift and downhaul
• Fenders and warps
• Anchor and chain as per class rule
• Jib sheets, spinnaker sheets, lightweight spinnaker sheets etc
• Winter cover, boom cover, mainsail cover, rear hatch cover
• Trailer with storage pods.

Recent renewals

• New backstay 2023
• New running backstays 2022
• New spinnaker halliard
• New main halliard 
• New jib halliard 
• New mainsail 2021 (One Sails Hamble) 

Sail inventory

• Mainsails x 3. 1 North Dacron gc; I heavy Beilken gc; 1x One Sails vgc
• Jibs. No. 1 One Sails Dacron vgc; Heavy No.1 Beilken gc; No.2 North 3DL gc
• Spinnakers x 4. 1 North white high cut gc; 1 Beilken red full cut vgc; 1 Doyle green old; I red with white trimmings; 1 Sobstadt red, blue gold, old but gc 
• Several older North/Sobstadt mainsails and jibs.

Ratings certificates

• RYA (2023, valid 4 years)
• IRC TCC 0.924 (2009)
• CIM rating 2022

Present condition

• Good condition overall. Considerable care has been taken to maintain upkeep and appearance by the current owner of the last 19 years  
• Melita would benefit from strengthening the area around the mast step, and port-side beam shelf in order to remain competitive with top performing classics in the class, many of whom have been strengthened in this area. Upwind performance might also be enhanced with a different mast section-the current one considered extremely stiff.
• The deck was thoroughly rubbed down and varnished (10+ coats) in 2022. Teak deck and mahogany in very good condition
• The hull is epoxy sheathed. Topsides are in good condition, but some cosmetic improvements could quickly be made by cleaning and polishing where for example some varnish has run. 
• Winches would benefit a good servicing. 
• The trailer is not presently roadworthy but enables convenient storage and is easy to manoeuvre around a boatyard. Tyres are all inflated and all bearings checked or replaced 2021/22

As the asking price reflects, this is a wonderful opportunity for the new owner to prepare and tune the boat to their liking, and to participate in the upcoming season including the European championships in Sanxenxo, Spain in September 2024, the Olympic Centenary/Mediterranean/Fife regattas, Challenge Lemanique, club racing etc. Melita has the potential to be a serious contender given her excellent provenance, William Fife design and build, and proven past racing track record. 

Please click here for more detailed information and additional photos and drawings. Price: £25,000 but all serious offers considered in order to achieve a timely sale.

For more information please contact David Roberts by email on  [email protected]

FOR SALE – SUI43 – SAGA

Lovingly restored with no consideration for budget, the classic Six Metre Saga has been brought back to her original beauty, then closely maintained by the current owners. 

She is in perfect condition, ready to sail, awaiting her new owner. 

Designed by Jac M. Iverson (Norway/Sweden 1884-1974) in 1936. 

Hull built by Holms båtvarv, 1936-1937. 

Mast built by Arendal båtvarv, 1936, (destroyed whilst racing the 2007 Queen Christina Nations Cup, rebuilt in spruce by Chantier naval Birbaum, Switzerland). 

LOA 11 m 60 Beam 1 m 82 Draught 1 m 60 ~ 3,9 To. 

Current mainsail (Europ‘sails 2010) still perfect for cruising.  Shortfoot -strong- (Europ‘sails 2016) very few used, ready to race.  Two new genoas -light and heavy- (Europ‘sails 2023). 

Short story about the past: 

1937-?: Documented in Sweden under S 43, as ‘Flagrant’.  1943: Documented on Lake Geneva, Charles Stern, Z 43, as ‘Antiope IV’ . 1945: André Mischler, Versoix, Z 43, as ‘Saga’.  1955: Fritz Huber, Nyon, Z 43, as ‘Saga’.  1961: Fernand Jaccard, Nyon, Z 43, as ‘La Môlaine’.  1989: Joëlle & Jean-François Fruttero Zumoffen, Nyon, SUI 43 , as ‘Saga’. 

Saga was purchased by Joëlle and Jean-François in 1989 in a sorry state. Numerous elements requiring replacing, a complete refit was decided and undertaken from 1989 to 1991 by the classic boat specialist Chantier naval Birbaum near Lausanne, Switzerland. 

Beautifully crafted on that occasion:  – Keel body repair: oak.  – New bolts of lead keel: bronze.  – New bow body: oak.  – Full new stern body from keel to aft: oak.  – New keel main frames: iroko.  – New hull frames: (+/- 80), steam-ployed acacia.  – Replacement of 1/3 of the planks: mahogany.  – New deck: marine plywood and teak.  – Entire standing and running rigging. 

New winches (2 speed). 

New deck fittings: Harken. 

Passionately sailed since her restoration, Saga participated in many regattas, including the 2010 and 2016 European championships in Brunnen, Switzerland. 

She has been carefully maintained beautiful and in racing conditions, year after year since 1992, exclusively by professional artisans, namely the Birbaum shipyard. 

The future: 

Dedicated servants of this magnificent and vigorous old Dame for more than 30 years, Joëlle et Jean-François are reaching retirement. They wish to pass on the Saga adventure to keen and active 6m sailors – those who enjoy competitive racing as well as cruising – whilst maintaining this marvellous vessel in mint shape for years to come. 

Asking price: € 50,000 

For a visit, a test run and a detailed equipment list, please call: +41 79 4266081 or send a mail to: [email protected]  

FOR SALE – USED NORTH SAILS FROM ESSENTIA

Six Metre Essentia is selling a number of used North Sails. A full list with dimensions can be found here and further information is available from Mikkel Røssberg on [email protected]

FOR SALE – K15 – DUET

DUET is a Second Rule 6m, and although currently setup with a gaff rig for Mediterranean cup collecting, she still could be put back into 6m class with a Bermudian rig (not supplied, but she has a set of North 3DL Bermudian sails available). 

On the market as her owner’s plans have changed, and has retired from classic yacht racing. She is a very special piece of our maritime history that also wins races and turns heads. She is being offered at a very modest figure and is VAT paid both in the UK and Europe.   We have been instructed by the owner for a prompt sale, and hence the paltry asking price

Full details are here –  https://www.berthoninternational.com/yacht-sales-brokerage/yachts-for-sale/alfred-mylne-glen-coats-gaff-sloop-duet/

Price is £35,000

Please contact Ben Cooper on  [email protected]  for further information

FOR SALE – D50/US89 – DODO Urgently Needs New Owner

Help! DoDo D-50 (later US-89 in the Port Huron & Sarnia Fleet) a 1935 Bjarne Aas design, built by E Nordbjaerg Baadevaerft, for King Olav V of Denmark is at risk of being cut up if a new owner cannot be found urgently.

This historic Six has been based in the US Great Lakes for may years. The boat was last sailed and raced in 2015 and was stored indoors until November 2023, when it was moved outside and covered.

The mast is a triple spreader hollow spruce mast with an aluminum boom.  The sails are North Sails: 1 dacron main, 3 dacron jibs and 2 spinnakers. Included are Kevlar jib sheets and spinnaker sheets. 

Other gear includes Harken blocks and 2 Lewmar winches as well as 4 vintage winches still in use.  Lifting cables for lifting from the keel bolts and a steel storage cradle. 

A 6 hp Johnson outboard can be included if desired. 

The underbody has been (successfully) altered to a more modern design with the rudder slightly farther forward against the shortened keel design.  With the normal prep work (bottom painting and mast stepped) the boat can be put in the water and raced. 

DoDo can be inspected at the River’s Bend Marina in St. Clair, Michigan, USA (50 miles north of Detroit). She is now for sale for USD 15,000 or best offer.  The boat risks getting cut up for storage charges in the next month or so if no one is interested. 

For further information please contact: Owner Jim Butlin (by phone only) +(810) 300-1829 Owner’s Representative Peter Durand by email [email protected]

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Italy deputy PM faces possible jail time for blocking migrant boat

Prosecutors in Italy are seeking a six-year jail term for deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini over a decision in August 2019 to stop a migrant boat from docking.

The ship, operated by the Open Arms charity, was kept at sea for almost three weeks before being allowed to dock on the island of Lampedusa following a court order.

Salvini, who was then the interior minister, denies charges of kidnap and dereliction of duty.

On Saturday, he said he had wanted to stop Italy becoming a "refugee camp for all of Europe" and declared himself "guilty of defending Italy and Italians".

The Opens Arms ship was carrying 147 migrants who had been picked up off the Libyan coast when it was prevented from docking in Lampedusa.

The island, situated around halfway across the Mediterranean towards the Italian mainland, has over recent years been a landing point for thousands of migrants trying to enter Europe.

As interior minister, Salvini implemented a "closed ports" policy that he argued would remove incentives for people smugglers.

Crewmembers have testified during the trial that the migrants' wellbeing and sanitary conditions on board the ship deteriorated while it was being held offshore - resulting, among other things, in a scabies outbreak.

Prosecutor Geri Ferrara told the Sicily court that there was "one key principle that is not debatable".

"Between human rights and the protection of state sovereignty, it is human rights that must prevail in our fortunately democratic system," he said.

In January, Salvini testified that he had understood that "the situation [on the ship] was not at risk".

A verdict in the trial, which began in October 2021 , could come next month. If convicted, Salvini could also be blocked from holding government office.

Responding to the requested sentence on X, Salvini said that "defending Italy is not a crime and I will not give up, not now, not ever".

"Thanks to my government’s actions, landings, deaths, and disappearances in the Mediterranean Sea decreased," he said.

"This Spanish ship was never prevented from going anywhere, except to Italy. We could no longer be the refugee camp for all of Europe.

"No government and no minister in history has ever been accused or put on trial for defending the borders of his own country."

According to UN data , sea arrivals in Italy fell to 11,471 in 2019, significantly lower than the figures in the years before or since.

Salvini is the head of the Northern League party, which opposes illegal migration, and serves in a coalition government with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Five Star Movement.

On Saturday, Meloni offered Salvini her "full solidarity".

"It is unbelievable that a minister of the Italian Republic risks six years in prison for doing his job of defending the nation's borders, as required by the mandate received from the citizens," she wrote on X.

"Turning the duty to protect Italy's borders from illegal immigration into a crime is a very serious precedent."

Italian deputy PM takes stand in migrant kidnap trial

Starmer to discuss migrant boat crossings with meloni in italy, italy to build migrant centres in albania.