12 Metre yachts are the most fascinating racing sailboats ever built. They have a beauty and size that, along with their America’s Cup history, has attracted and intrigued yachtsmen since 1907.
Before their America’s Cup debut in 1958, where they competed until 1987, 12 Metre boats were used in the 1908, 1912 and 1920 Olympic games.
Typically, 12 Metre Class boats range from about 20 to 23 m in length overall, they are most often sloop-rigged, with masts about 26 m tall.
A fleet of about 15 pre-WWII vintage yachts (Division C, D & E) primarily from
Germany, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden have been meticulously renovated
and are racing in northern and southern Europe.
For the time being we only show just a few yachts to give you an idea of their magnificence and expect them to show during the World Championships in Marstrand 2026.
To access the ITMA archive of yachts, please visit this site.
ANITA
Year designed/built: 1939
Sail number: G 2
Designer: Henry Rasmussen
Builder: Abeking & Rasmussen
Country of origin: Germany
1st owner: Walter Rau
Present owner: Segelvereiningung Rheingau
Length over all: 21.5
Length waterline: 14
Beam: 3.6
Draft: 2.72
Measured sail area: 170
Remarks: World Champion 2011
BLUE MARLIN
Year designed/built: 1937
Sail number: FIN 1
Designer: Charles E. Nicholson
Builder: Camper & Nicholson, Ltd.
Country of origin: Great Britain
1st owner: Miss Marion B Carstairs
Present owner:
Length over all: 21.30
Length waterline: 13.76
Beam: 3.55
Draft: 2.71
Measured sail area: 183
JENETTA
Year designed/built: 1939
Sail number: K1
Designer: Alfred Mylne
Builder: Bute Slip Dock
Country of origin: Scotland
1st owner: Sir William Burton
Present owner: Jenetta Syndicat, Germany
Length over all: 21.70
Length waterline: 14.17
Beam: 3.66
Draft: 2.74
Measured sail area: 179
Remarks: Complete restoration 2019
NINI ANKER
Year designed/built: 2010-2013
Sail number: N-15
Designer: Johan Anker
Builder: Robbe & Berking Classics GMBH & Co.
Country of origin: Germany
1st owner: Erik Tingleff Larson
Present owner: Christoph Avenarius
Length over all: 21.65
Length waterline: 16.40
Beam: 3.60
Draft: 2.64
Measured sail area: 174
NORTHERN LIGHT
Year designed/built: 1938
Sail number: US-14
Designer: Olin J. Stephens
Builder: Henry B. Nevins, Inc.
Country of origin: USA
1st owner: Alfred L. Loomis jr.
Present owner: Hans Eliasson and Lasse Molse
Length over all: 21.33
Length waterline: 13.72
Beam: 3.65
Draft: 2.67
Measured sail area: 179
Remarks: World Champions 2024
PRINCESS SVANEVIT
Year designed/built: 1930
Sail number: S-2
Designer: Gustaf Estlander & Tore Holm
Builder: Carl Plym at Neglingevarvet I Saltsjöbaden, Stockholm
Country of origin: Sweden
1st owner: Erik Åkerlund
Present owner: Princess Svanevit AB
Length over all: 21.96
Length waterline: 13,92
Beam: 3.57
Draft: 2.64
Measured sail area: 183
THEA
Year designed/built: 1918
Sail number: D 1
Designer: Johan Anker
Builder: Anker Jensen
Country of origin: Norway
1st owner: Jacob Stolt Nielsen
Present owner: HM Jebsen
Length over all: 20.07
Length waterline: 13.48
Beam: 3.48
Draft: 2.65
Measured sail area: 169
TRIVIA
Year designed/built: 1937
Sail number: K 10
Designer: Charles Nicholson
Builder: Nicholson
Country of origin: UK
1st owner: Vernon MacAndrew
Present owner: Wilfried Beeck
Length over all: 21.33
Length waterline: 13.99
Beam: 3.6
Draft: 2.72
Measured sail area: 179
Remarks: 2nd Worlds 2015
VANITY V
Year designed/built: 1936
Sail number: K 5
Designer: William Fife 2
Builder: William Fife & Son
Country of origin: Scotland
1st owner: John Payne
Present owner: Vanity Syndicate
Length over all: 21.58
Length waterline: 13.54
Beam: 3.7
Draft: 2.65
Measured sail area: 181
Remarks: World Champion 2011
VEMA III
Year designed/built: 1933
Sail number: N-11
Designer: Johan Anker
Builder: Anker & Jensen
Country of origin: Norway
1st owner: G. Unger Vetlesen
Present owner:
Length over all: 21.20
Length waterline: 13.87
Beam: 3.53
Draft: 2.74
Measured sail area: 185
VIM
Year designed/built: 1939
Sail number: US 15
Designer: Olin Stephens
Builder: Nevins
Country of origin: USA
1st owner: Harold S. Vanderbildt
Present owner: Vim Syndicate
Length over all: 21.44
Length waterline: 14.21
Beam: 3.56
Draft: 2.82
Measured sail area: 179
Remarks: European Champion 2015