Hi DrRog, The ton class boats were developed at the height of the IOR measurement system and take their names from the old Thames Measurement system. Under the ton class system of measurement there is a definition for each under the IOR rule. Multiple (or add?) up a load of parameters and if it is under a certain value it is a quarter-tonner, half-tonner etc. The smallest that was raced was the quarter tonner and the largest was the two tonner, but if you want to apply the rules you can make an eighth tonner or any other kind of mini tonner.

Ton class and most IOR type boats handle terrible, especially downwind due to their pinched in arses and all the other design tricks used to gain an advantage under the rule. eg. the reverse sheer transom.


It's all a bit like the metre class boats for we all know that a twelve metre yacht is way bigger than 39.37 feet. Basically, take the length x the breadth x the draft think of a number, divide by 2 and add one and voila! there is your formula yacht.

I had a Peterson 42 which was designed to the IOR 2 ton rule.

Tiller steering, a powerhouse of a yacht to windward and off the wind could be steered with forefinger and thumb at times. Tracked beautifully.

cisco said...

I had a Peterson 42 which was designed to the IOR 2 ton rule.

Tiller steering, a powerhouse of a yacht to windward and off the wind could be steered with forefinger and thumb at times. Tracked beautifully.

The Petersen 36 I mentioned for sale for $24,000 the other day is Vanessa 3, looks like a sister ship to Ganbare. Its just so tempting. I promised the missus no more boats!

http://uk.boats.com/sailboats/petersen-36-12636957/

The quarter ton and half ton boats under IOR were absolute rockets of the wind. They had flat aft sections and hence surfed the waves really we. Whiting and Farr 1/4 and 1/2 ton boats are brilliant...Not pigs !!

Hey, thanks LooseChange and others. I went from that to find the Wikipedia entries for bother these systems. Appreciate other peoples' thoughts given on those specific boats too.

Cheers.

LooseChange said...

Hi DrRog, The ton class boats were developed at the height of the IOR measurement system and take their names from the old Thames Measurement system. ...