7 Metre

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2010)

Current Specifications
Class Symbol
Crew	4
LOA	13 m (43 ft)
LWL	8.5 m (28 ft)
Beam	2.2 m (7 ft 3 in)
Draft	1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)
Hull weight	7,500 kg (17,000 lb)
Infobox last updated: 14-APR-2010
Former Olympic Class

The International Seven Metre Class is a construction class, meaning that the boats are not identical but are all designed to meet specific measurement formula, in this case International Rule. At their heyday, Metre Classes were the most important group of international yacht racing classes, and they are still actively raced around the world. "Seven" in class name does not, somewhat confusingly, refer to length of the boat, but product of the formula; 7mR boats are, on average, 13 meters long.

History

The 7mR was used as an Olympic Class during the 1908 and 1920 Olympics. The International Rule was set up in 1907 to replace earlier, simpler handicap system which were often local or at best, national, and often also fairly simple, producing extreme boats which were fast but lightly constructed and impractical. The rule changes several times in history. About 200 boats were ever build.

Rule development

1907 Rule

Used from 1907–1920

where

• = waterline length (LWL)
• = beam
• = chain girth
• = difference between girth and chain
• = sail area
• = freeboard

1919 Rule

Used from 1920–1933.

where

• = waterline length (LWL)
• = chain girth
• = difference between girth and chain
• = sail area
• = freeboard

Olympic results

1908 (1907 rule)

Only one boat at the starting line.

Rank	Country	Helmsman	Crew
	Great Britain (GBR)	RIVETT-CARNAC, charles James	BINGLEY, Norman DIXON, Richard Travers RIVETT-CARNAC, Frances Clytie

1920 (1919 rule)

This time two boats at the starting line.

Rank	Country	Helmsman	Crew
	Great Britain (GBR)	WRIGHT, Cyril Macey	WRIGHT, Dorothy Winifred COLEMAN, Robert Henry MADDISON, William J.
	Norway (NOR)	Faye, Johan	DICK Christian ABEL Sten NEILSEN Niels

v t e Sailing at the Summer Olympics 1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 List of medalists List of venues