Classic IOR: Between prototypes and series, tell us about the Cult boats that still “live on”

If we look at the history of sailing, at that sailing which we can already identify in forms similar to today’s, we will undoubtedly find that there was a legendary near-thirty-year period, that of the IOR (whose history you can find HERE) . Between the late 1960s and early 1990s the IOR (International Offshore Rule) gave birth to exceptional hulls, prototypes, one-offs and extraordinary small series, excellent boats that are still exciting today. That IOR was, in short, a unique period, a proponent of exceptional Classic Boats, today, unfortunately, partly lost or forgotten. To celebrate him to the fullest, to give him back the credit he deserves, and to breathe life back into these hulls, the Sailing Newspaper now wants to take a census of these surviving, unique and valuable boats, and for this it launches an appeal to all enthusiasts: report to us the IOR Classics, where they are and what state they are in. We will be grateful.

Classic IOR: AAA sailing icons wanted

The purpose is to include these boats in our “registry” of Classic Boats by Giornale della Vela. BEWARE, however, to include them in the registry does not only mean to census them, it also means to enhance all those boats that have a history and a pedigree that allows us to highlight their real historical value-exactly as it happens in the world of cars and real estate-to give them back the status they really deserve, and thus their true value. We will take the opportunity not only to create a large archive of them accessible to all, but also to tell and share them as best we can, so that the IOR, in its own way, can partly survive, regaining the status it deserves and allowing us, and you, to see these boats at sea again, and why not, maybe even in regattas…

• ENTERING A CLASSIC IOR INTO THE CLASSIC BOAT ARCHIVE IS SUPER EASY: CLICK HERE AND ENTER THE BOAT . ALWAYS HERE, ALSO FIND ALL YOUR CLASSIC BOATS ALREADY SURVEYED

Classic IOR: not only unique pieces.

Made between the late 1960s and early 1990s, IOR hulls are often identified through big names and big palmares. Mind you, however, the IOR was not only composed of ad hoc, one-of-a-kind hulls. Of course, legends like Hydra, like Brava, like Moby Dick or like Mascalzone Latino, to name a few, were nothing but that, exceptional, huge and brilliant projects. But the IOR was, and we would not like to forget this, also composed of small series, or series hulls directly, equipped to race and strong with great crews. These also populated the IOR and, some, equally managed to reach the highest heights. They, too, are of interest to us.

Across the Atlantic, in Canada, there was a small masterpiece workshop, C&C, under the direction of the namesakes Cuthbertson & Cassian. A very good example of where we want to go with this. Indeed, the duo was forward-thinking to say the least, among the first to realize the potential of fiberglass in the early 1970s, resulting in series hulls that were nothing short of exceptional. Great example, their first “behemoth,” a masterpiece: the C&C 61, a production hull destined, however, to become a legend in the IOR as well. Indeed, it was one of these, then Robon, now Rainbow, that climbed some of the highest IOR peaks. It was 1972 and, at one of her first regattas, she won the world-famous Newport-Bermuda Race, a race of over 635 nautical miles fought among 178 boats, mainly upwind, with winds, at times, over 70 kn… A feat that never ceased, making Rainbow a legend on the IOR circuit. Grand proof that, when it comes to IOR, in the end it is the single hull that is the icon, it is the name that populates the charts. What other cases do you know of?

In the meantime, here are three more Classic IOR goodies told to us directly by you, three great projects, whether they are prototypes at the end of an era, immense series, or small experiments…

FLASH (GORDON) | Cookson Boats

Cookson Boats; 1992; 11.95 x 3.79 m; Bruce Farr

The IOR was not only abundant soaring and sleek lines. It was also an incredible stimulus toward innovation and the increasingly extreme solutions, so much so that the early 1990s led to the creation of a new rule, the IMS. The world, however, does not change overnight, not all the time, and the IOR of the late 1980s and early 1990s thus experienced a period of transition that was not insignificant, a mix of philosophies and experimentation to combine the “old” with the “new.” It was during this phase that the legendary Bruce Farr designed an exceptional prototype, fully straddling the two worlds. It is the Farr 39, from which one of his greatest masterpieces, the Farr 40, will later be born, among the undisputed kings of early IMS. Here, Flash, originally known as Flash Gordon, one of just two prototypes, the second Rush, and an icon of 1992 and the very first IMS, fully took over very shortly thereafter. Since then Flash has given so much to sailing, having won numerous IMS regattas worldwide and having had, among others, Terry Hutchinson-the king of sailing in America-and Mauro Pelaschier at the helm at a Copa del Rey. A perfect example of final transition, born under IOR philosophy, resounding under IMS rule.

FORMOSA | Nautor Swan

Nautor Swan; 1981; 15.62 x 4.47 m; German Frers

One-Off and small series, prototypes intended for the single championship rather than for climbing the highest peaks of sailing, were certainly a dynamic and emblematic element of the IOR. But the IOR was not only made of Unicum. In fact. Also ascending to the highest heights at times were mass-produced designs, excellent boats, to be sure, but still mass-produced. One famous hull among them was certainly Formosa, a Swan 51. Victories and great regattas aside, definitely part of Formosa’s palmares, it was not only them, however, that made her an outstanding hull. Certainly, to participate in several Fastnets and to be competitive even 10 years after one’s conception is no small thing, but even less so is to be precisely Formosa, born under the mark of exception. The Swan 51 was German Frers’ first project for Nautor Swan, the start of an incredible and more than long-lasting collaboration. But it was also a hull of exceptional conception and, precisely with Formosa, a landmark for the shipyard: produced in 36 units, the Swan 51 background an incredible wall, it reached the 1000th Swan built, she, Formosa.

MULBERRY | Cec Quilky (AUS)

Cec Quilky (AUS); 1974; 9.14 x 3.33 m; Ron Swanson

Of transitional hulls, one offs and exceptional series, the IOR has quite a few to offer, including still sailing ones. Often, however, we only focus on the one-offs, or the really big, iconic hulls. It doesn’t hurt, however, to also remember the “little ones,” hulls that are all but forgotten. And it is from Australia that we are reminded of one, still sailing, still kept at its best. Mulberry, a small (9.14 m) Swanson 30, one of just 7 built, a micro-series of extremely competitive half-tonners. Designed by legendary Australian designer Ron Swanson, Mulberry has in fact participated in no fewer than six Sidney-Hobart, six Melbourne-Devonport and one Melbourne-Hobart via the west coast of Tasmania. And it still races now, even winning, underscoring how, all things considered, age and size don’t matter that much when the hull is an exceptional piece.

• ENTERING A CLASSIC IOR INTO THE CLASSIC BOAT ARCHIVE IS SUPER EASY: CLICK HERE AND ENTER THE BOAT . ALWAYS HERE, ALSO FIND ALL YOUR CLASSIC BOATS ALREADY SURVEYED

Three “tidbits” about Classic Boats

• Want to learn more about the world of Classic Boats (1967-1998), the iconic boats of the period, the legendary designers, the stories and races of the “golden age” of sailing? Check out our section dedicated to Classic Boats!
• Do you have a Classic Boat to sell? Put it (for free) on our classifieds market!