INTRODUCTION 



By cruising classes we mean boats which are used primarily for cruising— 

 including day sailing— rather than for racing as a class, though some of 

 them do race in that way from time to time. In most cases, however, when 

 they race, it is on a time-allowance basis against boats of other classes or 

 against those which do not belong to any stock class. Such races are apt to 

 be under CCA ( Cruising Club of America ) or MORC ( Midget Ocean Rac- 

 ing Club ) rules which determine the basis of handicapping. Also, as we see 

 it, to qualify as a cruising class the boats should have such minimum ac- 

 commodations as bunks for at least two, a "head" (toilet), and a galley or 

 stove— or at least provision for the installation of all of these. 



As it is sometimes difficult to determine whether a class belongs with the 

 cruisers or racers, let us take the two types of 22i/2-foot Electra sloops as 

 examples. The Electra which we are including with the cruising group has 

 berths for two ( with two more optional ) , a galley, icebox, toilet, and other 

 accommodations. The cabin (with a doghouse) is substantial for a boat 

 of her size and the cockpit is small and self-bailing. This boat is qualified 

 for deep-sea racing under MORC rules. We think she belongs with our 

 cruising classes. The Electra Day Sailer, on the contrary, though the hull 

 is the same, has a tiny cuddy for a cabin and a 9-foot-long cockpit. While 

 there are berths for two in the cuddy and a toilet can be installed, this 

 Electra is primarily a class racer and day sailer and obviously belongs with 

 the racing classes. 



The number of stock auxiliary cruising classes has grown so rapidly in 

 recent years that it is impossible within the scope of this book to include 

 them all. I would rather cover adequately a limited number of classes- 

 giving for each the designer, purpose, history, special features, interesting 

 facts, etc.— than give a long list with very little said about any one class. 

 Thus we are including only classes in which at least thirty boats have 

 been built, are on order, or are definitely scheduled for the year immedi- 

 ately ahead at the time of our inquiry, according to the best information 

 we are able to obtain to date. I am sure that in future editions more 

 classes will be added and that in this edition we shall find that we have 

 missed a few which should have been included. If so, as Bill Taylor sug- 

 gested, we'll hear from their admirers. I hope they'll let us know at the 



INTRODUCTION 221 



