Winter 2009 (Issue No. 42)

 < Page #5 >

< CLICK HERE > for LARGER photo.

< CLICK HERE > for LARGER photo.

Click the link below to go to the Skerry website:

< www.squareskerryyachts.net >

Winter 2009 (Issue No. 42)

 < Page #5 >

SKERRY SEARCH: THE SQUARE METER REGISTRY

In 2008, the 100th year of the Square Meter Rule was celebrated in Sweden. Square Meter Rule sailboats are a class of sailboat derived from a type of Scandinavian sailboat known as "Skargardskryssare". They were first developed to navigate the small islands and fjords of northern Europe.

This Centennial year of the class is a good time to compile a registry of the remaining square meter boats that were imported to the United States. The class was first raced out of the Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead, Massachusetts in the 1930’s. In addition to New England, the class was also active on the Great Lakes, operating out of the Detroit area and Belmont Harbor in Chicago through the 1990s. There is an active fleet in Port Huron, Michigan.

Square Meter Rule sailboats can be identified by their long narrow hull between 23 and 45 feet, with a low freeboard, long overhangs, and a very small cabin. Also, the mainsail is typically on a very tall rig with a very short boom. In addition, many of the surviving square meters, mostly 22- and 30-square meters, have a bend (or "hook") at the top of their masts.

To hopefully save these beautiful boats, please report information as to the location of any square meter boat that is in need of rescue, is in storage, or best yet that is actively being sailed, to the following email address for inclusion into the square meter registry: info@squareskerryyachts.net