Nicole L Mays

Little Boats with Sails Nicole L Mays

This book provides a comprehensive history of the 21ft restricted class yachts. It starts with one of its major success stories, Tassie Too, and the Tasmanian domination of the Forster Cup -- a hotly contested and high profile series of interstate races held annually between 1922 and 1955 that saw skippers and crew propelled to near-celebrity status. The book then recognises Lord Forster's (Australia's Governor-General between 1920 and 1925) proactive role in the development of the class, as well as his inspiring personal story. It next details the origins of the 21ft restricted class, and its specifications, as well as provides a history of the Forster Cup series; the outcomes fuelled by close racing, surprising results, interstate rivalry, controversy and protest, massive public support, and the creation of legends, both men and boats. The book also summarises all of the craft built to the class and provides biographies of influential skippers, boat builders and designers, as well as crew lists.

Overall, the 21ft restricted class filled an important niche in Australian sailing history, particularly between the Great War and World War II. This book showcases the class, its history and its current status, with the goal of fostering further interest and development in the 21s. Of note, more than 70 yachts built in Australia between 1909 and 2009 form the 21ft restricted class. Of the fleet 20 survive, including the class standout Tassie Too that is now based at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.