This class was designed in 1913 by George Cockshott as the British Racing Association ‘A’ Class. The class was adopted by the International Yacht Racing Union on 1st. January 1920 and thus it became the International 12 Foot Class. The class was the only dinghy class to compete at the 1920 Antwerp (Belgium) Olympic Games, at Oostende.
Unfortunately due to COVID 19 the Olympic centenary regatta at Oostende was postponed.
As Afloat previously reported, the class grew in popularity in Ireland in the 1920s and 1930s with fleets of professionally and amateur-built boats in Baltimore, Crosshaven, Howth, Sutton, Malahide, Clontarf and Seapoint (Monkstown, Co. Dublin).
Today many 12 Foot Dinghies still exist in Ireland, having been in the same families for many years. Some are unused and located in barns while others are used as yacht tenders. In 2010, Gail Varian organised a revived Irish championship at the Royal St George Yacht Club.
The 10th anniversary of this revived championship for historic prizes will be held at the Royal St George Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Sunday 13th September in which the modified Dublin Bay 12 foot dinghies with a mainsail and jib will sail against the International 12 foot Dinghies with just a mainsail on equal terms.
The organisers would like to hear from any Irish owners of 12 Footers.
For more information contact [email protected]
