“Great Lakes Bike Ski Boat is reader supported. We may make a small commission at no extra cost to you should you make a purchase through links from this site. We get nothing if you don't like what we recommend and return it. Learn more”

10 Iconic One-Design Racing Classes (’70s–’90s) That Made North America Fall in Love with Sailboat Racing

by

If you were anywhere near a yacht club, beach, or lake in the 1970s through the 1990s, you knew these boats. They were fast, fun, accessible, and—most importantly—raced in fleets big enough to make every start line a heart-pounding moment. Some are still going strong, others have faded into cult-classic status, but all of them left a mark on North American sailing.

Here’s our countdown of 10 one-designs that shaped an era—plus a look at where they are now.

Cal 25 — The Blue-Collar Bruiser

Why it popped: Cheap, durable, and everywhere. Built in the thousands, it gave everyday sailors a real shot at one-design racing.
Sail it for: Equal competition at a price your wallet can stomach.
Heads-up: Heavy, slow by today’s standards, and that cabin is about as comfy as a phone booth.

Where are they now?
Production ended in the mid-1970s, but surprisingly healthy fleets still battle in places like Detroit and Long Beach. At Detroit NOOD regattas, 20+ Cal 25s still show up. They’re the definition of a cult class: old hulls, new passion.

Tartan 10 — Great Lakes Gladiator

Why it popped: Offshore one-design before it was cool. Crews ditched rating rules for simple, honest racing.
Sail it for: Big cockpits, distance races, and tight Great Lakes rivalries.
Heads-up: Early hulls had build issues; comfort is not the selling point.

Where are they now?
Still raced! The class thrives mostly on the Great Lakes, especially Chicago and Cleveland, where Nationals and weekly one-design starts keep the T-10 alive. Elsewhere, you’ll usually find them sailing under PHRF.

Hobie 16 — Beach Cat Chaos

Why it popped: The everyman’s rocket ship. Beach-launchable, trapeze-equipped, and dripping with ‘70s surf-culture vibes.
Sail it for: The thrill of flying a hull and joining the Hobie lifestyle.
Heads-up: Capsizes are part of the deal. Upwind angles take finesse.

Where are they now?
The Hobie 16 is still huge. Over 135,000 built, it remains the most popular beach cat ever. Active racing circuits exist worldwide, with big regattas in North America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The “Madcatter” in New York still pulls dozens every year.

Etchells 22 — The Tactician’s Playground

Why it popped: Perfect balance, dinghy feel, and the boat of choice for America’s Cup hopefuls looking for level racing.
Sail it for: Chess-on-water tactics with a boat that rewards precision.
Heads-up: Hiking is brutal, campaigning costs climb, and fleets attract pros.

Where are they now?
Still going strong. The class thrives in Newport, San Diego, Miami, and Toronto. World Championships still draw 70–90 boats. Yes, the pro presence is real, but amateurs still fill fleets and love the tight racing.

J/24 — The People’s Keelboat

Why it popped: Trailerable, fast, affordable, and everywhere. This was the boat that democratized keelboat racing.
Sail it for: Planing spinnaker rides and fleets big enough to make you sweat.
Heads-up: Low boom + crowded cockpit = bruises. Downwind wipeouts are a rite of passage.

Where are they now?
Very much alive. More than 5,500 boats built, and fleets remain strong in Texas, Italy, Japan, and the Northeast U.S. Worlds still attract 60+ boats, and you can find a local J/24 start line almost any weekend.

Laser (ILCA) — Fitness, Feel, and Fairness

Why it popped: One hull, one rig, one sailor—no excuses. Cheap, portable, and brutally honest.
Sail it for: Skills that transfer to every other boat. And the thrill of planing solo.
Heads-up: It’s a workout. Hiking burns, capsizes happen, and being fast means being fit.

Where are they now?
Now branded ILCA Dinghy, it’s still the singlehanded class worldwide. Olympic status keeps fleets fresh, and in North America you’ll still see 50–100 boats at big events like CORK (Kingston) or U.S. Nationals.

Sunfish — The Gateway GOAT

Why it popped: Simple, forgiving, and everywhere—summer camps, beaches, backyards. But also a serious racing class with tactical chops.
Sail it for: Easy rigging, lifetime durability, and friendly competition.
Heads-up: Not a speed machine, and ergonomics are… rustic.

Where are they now?
Still raced worldwide, with especially strong fleets in Florida, the Caribbean, and South America. North American and World Championships routinely draw 50–70 boats. Also still the most common learn-to-sail boat in America.

Lightning — Three-Up Classic

Why it popped: A stable 3-person dinghy with a spinnaker. Great for families and deadly serious for racing.
Sail it for: Planing reaches, teamwork, and some of the friendliest fleets around.
Heads-up: Heavier than modern dinghies, crew coordination is everything.

Where are they now?
Still thriving. The class runs active circuits across the U.S., with North Americans regularly topping 50 boats. Big fleets remain in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and South America (especially Colombia).

Snipe — “Serious Sailing, Serious Fun”

Why it popped: Affordable, strict one-design, and intensely tactical. Perfect for couples, families, and strategy junkies.
Sail it for: Chessboard racing that emphasizes brains over brawn.
Heads-up: Heavy for its size and not exactly a thrill ride.

Where are they now?
The Snipe is still huge globally, with fleets in 30+ countries. In North America, Miami, Annapolis, and the Midwest still host strong regattas. Worlds and Pan-Am Games appearances keep it relevant and competitive.

Star — The Prestige Keelboat

Why it popped: Olympic pedigree, huge sail plan, and a who’s-who of world champions. The Star was the gold standard.
Sail it for: Technical tuning, raw power, and legendary competition.
Heads-up: Campaigning is costly, hiking is brutal, and capsizes can be ugly.

Where are they now?
Though dropped from the Olympics in 2012, the Star is far from dead. The Bacardi Cup in Miami still pulls 70+ boats, and World Championships keep attracting 60+. Prestige remains high, and loyalists keep the legend alive.

Why They Still Matter

These boats shaped how we race and who we race with. They proved you don’t need luxury yachts or bleeding-edge tech—just equal boats, great fleets, and sailors who show up.

Today, whether you’re on a Laser, Lightning, or Hobie 16, you’re part of a story that stretches back decades. And if you’re lucky enough to find one of these fleets still active near you—jump in. The boats may be older, but the racing? Still as fierce, fun, and unforgettable as ever.

Leave a Comment