The IYRU Fifteen Metre class yachts are constructed to the First International rule of 1907. A total of twenty 15mR yachts were built between 1907 and 1917, the four that have survived are still actively raced.
History The IYRU International Rule was set up in 1907 to replace the YRA 1901 revised Linear Rating Rule. The IYRU 15mR boats would replace the YRA 52-raters and open competition to foreign nations, replacing local or national systems with a unified rating system across Europe. The rule changed several times, but the 15mR boats only raced in the first rule of 1907. The twenty boats that were built, were raced in Spain, France, Britain and Germany. The rule was proposed for competition in the 1908 Olympics but there were no entries.
1907 Rule
The 15-Metre class is a construction class, meaning that the boats are not identical but are all designed to meet specific measurements in a formula. In their heyday, Metre classes were the most important group of international yacht racing classes, and they are still actively raced around the world. "Metre" does not refer to the length of the boat, but to her rating; the length overall of 15mR boats measuring almost .
The 15mR formula used in the First International Rule from 1907 to 1920:
where L = load waterline length in metres B = beam in metres G = chain girth in metres d = difference between girth and chain in metres S = sail area in square metres F = freeboard in metres
Boats LaunchYachtSail no.DesignerShipyardFirst ownerDetails1907Ma'oona Alfred Mylne Robert McAlister & SonJ. Talbot Cliftonlater sold to Almeric Paget1907Shimna William Fife III Alexander Robertson & SonsWilliam Yateslater rechristened Slec, and Yildiz in 1938. damaged and broken up in Turkey 1949.1908MariskaD1William Fife III Fife & SonA. K. Stothertrestored by the Charpentiers Réunis de Méditerranée in 20091909OstaraD2Alfred Mylne Robert McAlister & SonWilliam P. Burton1909Anémone II Philippe de Vilmorin1909Encarnita Joseph Guédon Karpard de PasajesMarquis of Cuba1909HispaniaD5William Fife III Karpard de PasajesKing Alfonso XIIIrestored by the Astilleros de Mallorca in 20121909TuigaD3D91William Fife III Fife & Son17th Duke of Medinaceliowned in the 1920s by Warwick Brookes. rechristened Betty IV, Dorina, Kismet III. restored by Fairlie Restorations in 19931909VanityD4William Fife III Fife & SonW. & Benn Payne1910Paula IID2D8Alfred Mylne Robert McAlister & SonLudwig Sanders1910TritoniaD3Alfred Mylne Alexander Robertson & SonsGraham C. Lomerlater rechristened Jeano, Gerd II, Rinola, Fortuna II, Cisne Branco and Albatroz. served in the Gremio de Vela da Escola Navala in Brazil until 19861910D6D4William Fife III Fife & SonL. Biermann1913/1914 sold to G.Eyde, Norway, and rechristened Beduin,"Die Yacht", 1914, Vol.27, p.672 later Magda X1911Senta Max Oertz Max Oertz1912IstriaD7Charles E. Nicholson Camper & NicholsonsCharles C. AllomWorld's first Marconi topmast. broken up in Norway 1924.1912The Lady AnneD10William Fife III Fife & SonGeorge Coatsrestored by fairlie Restorations in 1999 with her 1914 rig configuration1913PamelaD1Charles E. Nicholson Camper & NicholsonsS. Glen L. Bradley1913Paula IIID2D8Charles E. Nicholson Camper & NicholsonsLudwig Sanders1913Isabel AlexandraD5Johan Anker Anker & JensenE. Luttrop1913MaudreyD3William Fife III Fife & SonW. Blatspiel Stamp1917Neptune Johan Anker Mandrup AbelS. Klouman
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