6 metre model yachts

Dartmoor Model Boat Club

The South West's Sail, Scale, Fast Electric and Power Boat Club.

The 6 Metre

Some would say this is a gentlemen’s model yacht with all the beauty and grace of the full- sized racing yachts on which it is based. The concept of the full size 6 Metre class started in 1907 and it was continually updated, and it enjoyed some time as an Olympic class. In respect of the model yacht they are measured and perform just like the full – size version, they even wobble downwind when over pressed. They are quite heavy and are definitely not speed machines but have an appeal which is hard to resist if you get the opportunity to sail one. Currently at DMBC there are two distinct types racing, the version which has an integral fin keel and the other a detachable fin with wing keel. The former type like the Dolphin design is very elegant on the water and this year the class National Championships will have a new trophy for the winner of these vintage style boats. The latter type although still with appealing looks are built with performance in mind. The latest Ravenna, Rococo and Romanza designs are now predominantly built in carbon fibre with carbon spars to match. All of the designs have one thing in common and that is that they are only allowed one mast and main boom. This makes sail selection on a race day important as changing mainsails is time consuming unless practiced regularly. Regular series racing takes place on the first Saturday of the month with up to nine boats competing on an Olympic style course. The 6M’s can be seen at the Club on most Wednesday’s and free Saturday’s, practicing for what is an important year for both the class and the club in 2019. With both the South West Area and National Championships at the club this year interest levels are high with new boats about to hit the water and others being renovated. Event dates:– 6M SWD Championship – Saturday 4th of May. 6M National Championships – Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th of September For more information about the boats, the builders and sailmakers indeed anything 6M contact: – Locally – Peter Knightly Class Captain DMBC Tel No 01803 782776 For national information – 6 Metre Association –  sixmetresailing.weebly.com / or the MYA link at mya-uk.org.uk

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Model Boat Builders Plans: Six Metre Class Yacht Plans

This MYA national class is a scaled down version of its full sized counterpart and offers a traditionally graceful appearance with steady performance and handling. Boats are typically about one metre on the waterline with long overhangs. The draught is restricted to around 230 mm (9 ins) with the displacement typically 12 kg (26 Ibs) and the sail area relatively large at about .7 square metres (1100 sq.ins). Please Note: These plans are printed to order and take approximately 7 days for us to obtain.

6T6 Model Boat Plan

Force 6 Model Boat Plan

Petrel Model Boat Plan

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Canadian International 6 Metre Association

Welcome to our site!

This is the home of the Canadian 6 Metre Association.

“The International Rule is the most important development class rule in yachting history. It has been the backbone of yacht racing for 100 years.”  – Pekka Barck.

Introduction to the The Six Metre – 100 Years of Racing, written by Olin Stephens.

As a retired yacht designer I hope readers will find me justified in outlining technical developments as they affected the Six Metre class throughout its acceptance and growth, as those were the considerations that seemed important to me at the time.

In early days, such developments in naval architecture and yacht design seemed to occur in spurts and have resulted from the individual vision of one man, such as Isaac Newton in the last half of the 17th century, who offered the reach of calculus. This was followed by studies of the dynamics of ships in motion, of which the most comprehensive were carried out by a French scientist, Pierre Bouguer in association with the University of Basle, Switzerland, with his detailed studies of elements, in fields like hydrodynamics and rigging design. I introduce Bouguer because his work led the way to predicted performance which, after a gap of 200 years, Kenneth Davidson’s concentration on the performance in the Six Metre class led the way to its exceptional growth.

Davidson, as an engineer and a sailor, was the first person to envisage the use of very small models for tank tests, in place of the large ones then required by current practice. These were roughly 18 to 20 feet long and weighed in the neighbourhood of a ton. It happened that in searching for a known model to test he came to my office on City Island, New York City, where I had a model of the Six Metre Natka, which had been made by my brother Rod and which he had used in experiments on rigs. Using this model, Davidson continued towing experiments on which his valuable 1936 paper was based.

At the turn of the 19th and 20th Centuries design activity was associated internationally with increased in classification and rating rules. The fastest boats, both large and small on both sides of the Atlantic were poor sea boats with light displacement and very long ends. In the US Herreshoff’s “Universal Rule” came into being as a corrective and in Europe in 1906, international conferences met in the UK under the auspices of the Prince of Wales, which produced the First Interational Racing Classes Rule, initially for European use. Subsequently, in 1921 after international discussion and with only partial agreement within the US, Boston and Marblehead holding out, this rule was adopted by the new NAYRU and the NVYC for classes smaller than the 12 Metre class. It became the prototype rule for the Six Metre class and developed into a modified rule known as the Third International Metre Rule.

Back in the 1930s yachts were considered old after 20 years or less. That age would be doubled today without any surprise, while even older and badly deteriorated hulls are now picked up by delightful owners who spend freely to restore them and it is interesting to speculate just why. Certainly the best materials were available before the Second World War and the best yards then had skilled shipwrights. Perhaps in this age of mass production, there is reassurance of craftmanship and value in the older and simpler hulls.

Appreciation of individually created art is as old as man himself, but the high status of other useful objects such as yachts has come about in only very recent times and with Six Metres only within the last 15 years or so. Am I right that this is new? To be unique contributes value and is surely part of the charm that the Six Metres most certainly have.

(Extract from The Six Metre – 100 Years of Racing, edited by Pekka Barck and Tim Street.)

"Dolphin" style 6 Metre yacht Hull, "Made in Scotland".

The "Dolphin" MK 1 hull was popular in the 1980s and 1990s and are still popular as a leisure model yacht. New designs and lighter construction materials means the popular racers of today are faster and slimmer but these developments mean longer keel fins and bulbs which require deeper water than the average city pond. The "Dolphin" design offers a robust sleek and beautiful six metre yacht that can sail in just two feet of water. [email protected] for price and delivery to UK.

Monday 28 August 2017

Dolphin six's twelves and old timers..

Sunday 20 August 2017

To see this on the dundee pond..

Wednesday 9 August 2017

Six metre racing returns to "swannie" pond, dundee..

Sunday 2 July 2017

Grace in the sunset

Sunday 25 June 2017

Dolphin action.

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The archive for the International Six Metre Class

Celebrating the history of the international six metres.

The first Six Metres were built over 100 years ago and the class has a rich heritage. This website brings together archive material spanning their full history, made publicly accessible for the first time in one place.

Launched in 2019, this is a growing resource for anyone with an interest in the history of the International Six Metre Class. You can find source material relating to all aspects of the class and the community around it, ranging from regattas and racing to designers and photographs. The material on this site has been sourced from many different collections worldwide, reflecting the international nature of the class.

We welcome and encourage submissions of new material and information from our visitors. Please get in touch if you have anything to add. Feel free to browse our site and enjoy the resources on offer.

View The Archive

Bibis sailing in 1967. Archive record BPLK.1.2.

Six Metres racing out of Harbor Springs, Michigan, in the 1930s. Archive record GRSW.1.2

A class steeped in history

From the Olympics to the World Championships, the International Six Metre Class has played a significant role in the development of competitive sailing. Since the Six Metres first appeared in 1907 following the development of the International Rule, it has been one of the most popular of the Metre classes. More than 1200 boats have been built over the course of more than a century, and over 300 still sail and compete today.

The class is organised by the International Six Metre Association, which is governed by a committee of elected officers from around the world.

Latest additions to the Archive

The Whim and Correnzia racing downwind, 1911

Marga sailing in Baia de Guanabara

Ylliam VIII sailing

Rating certificate for Scoundrel, USA126, July 2021

Certificate

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British International Six Metre Association

Welcome to the online home of the British International Six Metre Association.

Over 1,200 Six Metre boats were built in total, of which some 450 are still in existence today and the UK has one of the largest fleets. Some early Fife boats built in 1907 are still sailing – often against Moderns. Some Classics have been beautifully modified for cruising and others race regularly.

The class covers a wide range of sailing, whilst at the same time retaining the heritage of international racing in thoroughbred boats that don’t have to break the bank. All have one thing in common: their distinctive sailing silhouette and an adherence to a tried and tested formula. A tribute to the designers and builders. There is no doubt the class generates a passion and devotion driven by the stunning appearance of the boats and their historical significance.

Now well over 100 years since the first rule was written, metre boats have been at the forefront of yacht development ever since – they were amongst the first boats sailing in the Olympics, right from the 1908 London Olympics until 1952 in Helsinki. 6mRs were also used for the British-American Cup (team racing and an event far more prestigious than the America’s Cup in its day) and the Seawanhaka Cup (match racing) throughout the 1930’s.

Of the other international rule classes, the 8mRs have been the first choice boat for European Royalty, some of the 23mR were converted to ‘J’-class yachts and the 12mR were the boats used to challenge for the America’s Cup for 30 years once racing started again after the war and until a more modern derivative was designed.

Hull designs have always been technologically advanced. Wing keels, rod shrouds and the latest in sail design and build on the Moderns contrast with the ageless wooden decks and fittings of the Classics. Both classes sail together; often the fastest Classics mixing it with the Moderns. There has been a real resurgence of interest with many old boats being restored, new boats being built and some of the mega-stars of the sailing world choosing metre boats for their personal sailing. The International Six Metre Association has members in many European and American sailing centres.

Aims of BISMA

The UK 6mR fleet is largely based in the Solent with another group of boats in the West Country. The programme is devised to provide maximum opportunity to sail together, combined with the ability of the boats to get to each venue by sailing or transport. Many boats have a 7.5 ton lorry which is sufficient to move the boats and at each venue launching facilities are organised.

Friends & Crewing

If you have an interest in the class, please  register as a ‘Friend’  or become an Associate Member to support the class. Regular crew are encouraged to become Associate Members. Click here for Membership details .

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International 6 Metre Association

About ISMA-The INTERNATIONAL SIX METRE ASSOCIATION

ISMA is the International association for the owners and sailors of International 6 Metre Class Yachts. ISMA manages the affairs of the International 6 Metre Class.

The Association handles the relationship with World Sailing, the world governing body for the sport of sailing, and carries the responsibility of keeping the 100 year old history of this legendary sailing class alive. ISMA is managed by a committee led by a President and five Vice-Presidents.

Past Presidents of ISMA: 1971-1972 Werner Freyer 1972-1974 Walter G Wirth 1974-1976 Eustace ‘Sunny’ Vine Jnr. 1976-1978 Ken Hartman 1978-1979 C R ‘Breck’ Adams 1979-1980 Ernest Rohners 1980-1981 Professor Dr Heinz Weinhold 1981-1983 Henry ‘Hank’ P Thayer 1983-1984 Baron Edmond de Rothschild 1984-1987 Glen Foster 1987-1993 Bernard Haissly 1993-1998 Christer Salen 1998-2002 Thomas Lundqvist 2002-2005 Bernard Haissly 2005-2010 Lieutenant Colonel Tim Street 2010-2014 Beat Furrer 2014-2018 Matt Brooks 2018-2021 Sir Robert Owen 2021-present Louis Heckly

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• Sailboat Guide

6-Meter (International)

6-Meter (International) is a 36 ′ 8 ″ / 11.2 m monohull sailboat designed by Various starting in 1907.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Olympic class between 1908-1952 when it was replaced by the International 5.5 Meter. Dimensions are approximate since this is a development class, originally built to the International rule. 400 are thought to still be in existence with about 300 still in racing condition. Photo: Nancii Bernard

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