1953 which grew to about twenty boats and then began to fade away for 

 lack of interest until April 1958, when there appears to have been a demon- 

 stration of the power of the boating press. W. P. McMillen, now Com- 

 modore (and Measurer) of what has become the Windmill Class Inter- 

 national Racing Association, wrote an article on the class which appeared 

 in the April 1958 issue of Motor Boating. That turned the tide. The maga- 

 zine received many inquiries and passed them along to McMillen, who 

 directed the writers to Clark Mills for the plans. 



Another article in Motor Boating by this eloquent expounder of the 

 merits of the Windmill Class brought more inquiries, until in December 

 1959 the WCIRA was formed with seventy-five registered boats. By the 

 end of i960 there were three hundred Windmills and today 754 are regis- 

 tered. An amazing story and a tribute to Clark Mills and his boat as well 

 as to W. P. McMillen! Also, Motor Boating is due its share of the credit. 



What practical features in the boat seem to be responsible for its growth? 

 There are plenty of other good boats of the size of Windmill. The most 

 striking features, it seems to me, are the very low cost for a boat as long as 

 15V2 feet, its light weight, its easy-to-build shape with the hard-chine V- 

 bottom construction which encouraged amateurs, its generally good sailing 

 qualities with the ability to plane well on a reach. 



Principal sailing areas are in Florida, California, Texas, New York, Mary- 

 land, Canada, Georgia, and Washington. While most of the builders are 

 amateurs, the WCIRA has a list of professional builders and one can be 

 found in Yachting's Boat Owners Buyers Guide. Mrs. John Lucas (2906 

 Pass-a-Grille Way, Pass-a-Grille, Fla. ) is the class Secretary. The Windmills 

 are made of plywood. Price is $675 for a new one, $550 for a used boat. 

 Plans including membership in WCIRA cost $10 and are obtainable by 

 writing W. P. McMillen (784 53rd Ave. S., St. Petersburg, Fla.). Checks 

 should be made out to Windmill Class International Racing Association. 

 With these plans and specifications it is reported that boats can be built 

 privately for $265 to $325. 



VITAL STATISTICS: L.O.A. isVz', watcrlinc 14^10''; beam 4'8''; draft 

 without centerboard 6'\ with C.B. 4'; sail area 119 sq. ft. (no spinnaker); 

 weight 230 lbs. rigged and equipped; trailable. 



WOOD PUSSY 



The Wood Pussy is a pretty 131/2-foot catboat, with a modified spoon 

 bow instead of the usual plum stem, a graceful sheer, high freeboard, and a 

 round bilge. Wider than usual for a boat of her length, she looks like a good 



210 THE SAILBOAT CLASSES OF NORTH AMERICA 



