Length vs beam and
The original rule idea was based on a stipulated ideal hull-size for each sail-area class. Deviation from the ideal length incurred a penalty on beam. In a 22 Sq. Meter, the ideal length was 7.3 meters. Length increases had to be matched by a beam increase of 0.10. The rule was later revised to double the penalty to meet the extreme lengths the designs were stretched to... especially the Swedish designs. This caused more than a little discussion between the originators of the Square Meter concept, the Swedes, and the rest of the internation community with strong interests in Square Meter sailing. This 'bickering' is probably in part responsible for the loss of momentum for the entire design rule. With the formost area for Square Meter classes divided in its goals, the field was left wide open for IOR rule classes - the R boats from USA and the Meter boats from Europe.

How the Square Meter grew in length from 1905 to 1953

The evolution of the Square Meter rule to date
The rule has been adjusted many times since it originally was formulated prior to 1900, and as lately as 1953 Knud Reimers designed a one-design 22 Square Meter class - the Udell - in hopes of reducing the galloping prices of new boats. The original rule was added to the rulebooks in 1919 by the International Yacht Racing Union in London for the 30 and 40 Sq. Meters. It was revised in 1823 and again by the Swedes as a national 1925 rule - first to restrict alterations in displacement, freeboard, beam, keel length and cockpit area and then to relax the stricter rules to open for the more extreme yachts the Swedes wanted to build. Eventually, the IYRU adopted the 1925 rule as the international rule for 22’s and 30’s. The international status of the rule lasted until 1970. But recently the rule has once again been put forward for reinstatement by several countries and the IYRU in London is reviewing the request.

The Square Meter rule is presently in the keeping of the SSKF, the Swedish Square Meter Association. There, the 1925 rule has been revised as necessary to ensure the continous evolution in the Square Meter yacht. Square Meters are now divided into "A" and "B" class yachts. The "A's" are the elite racers in the fleet, and the "B's" can only compete given a solid handicap. Rated by age, size and adjusted for use of a spinnaker, a handicap-system (LYS  - based on actual race results adjusted for time difference expressed in percent) for the Square Meter runs from 104 to 138. Those familiar with the LYS-system will recognize instantly that the fastest Square Meters will match virtually any other sailboat of any rule in flat out speed - even rivaling some catamarans for flat out speed. Not bad for a rule dating from 1925!

Obviously, the use of a handicap is contrary to the entire concept of the Square Meter rule. But in spanning an entire century, the Square Meter rule has inspired enormous changes. Handicapping became necessary if the older yachts were to be kept active. Happily, there are very many beautiful old Square Meters still in use. Few, if any other class boats in the world, can regularly offer the sight of designs from the 1920's and from the 1990's on the same racing course.

Read on about sail area.... or return to front page

(or if you want more detailed information on the present Square Meter rule, see this link at the SSKF site.)