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.
Confirmed yachts for 12 M Worlds:
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: Henrik Andersin
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
FLICA II
Year designed/built: 1939
Sail number: K14
Designer: Laurent Giles & Partnerts
Builder: W. Fife & Sons
Country of origin: Great Britain
1st owner: Hugh Goodson
Present owner: Alexander ”Sacha” Falk
Length over all: 20.45
Length waterline: 14.15
Beam: 3.58
Draft: 2.77
Measured sail area: 143
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
Length over all: 21.33
Length waterline: 13.72
Beam: 3.65
Draft: 2.67
Measured sail area: 179
Remarks: World Champions 2024
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
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
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, World Champions 2021