The "suitcase rule" and other design specifications
Square Meter class boats were required to provide basic living accommodations. Because these boats were raced in the ocean, it was important the designer created strong boats that could be sailed over distance. Even the small boats regularly crossed the open-sea stretches between the Scandinavian countries on the way to the international competitions. Although this is not unusual today, it was virtually unknown for boats of this size those days.
Line drawing of my 22 Square Meter Irina
The rules for scantlings ("the framework") were strict. This is the reason so many of the older Square Meters boats still are sailing today. The so-called "Suitcase Rule" ensured the crew some living space, but certainly not much. This rule involved being able to raise up an imaginary, flat rectangle of a given size across the beam inside the boat’s cabin.

The Corinthian Club in Marblehead, Mass.
In the 30’s, many on the American east coast were skeptical to the seaworthy qualities of these light boats. However, the first experience in hard weather was usually enough to prove that sailing performance, low freeboard and disturbingly low displacement even when compared with other racing machines of the day, were beautifully matched in the Square Meter classes.

The ‘grand old man’ of American yachting L. Francis Herreshoff was one of the most vocal supporters of the Square Meter in the USA. He bought one for himself in Sweden and imported it to Marblehead, Mass. He was convinced that these boats were bound to be the new Olympic class, and he judged them far better than both the European Meter class boats and the American R-class.

Mr. Herreshoff’s enthusiasm is a prime reason for the interest the Corinthian Club showed in the Square Meters. The class was introduced to the USA in Marblehead, and the first races were organized by the Corinthian Club. Which was a lucky stroke for the club…. they learned a thing or two about sails in these races competing against their Scandinavian guests.

Ask not for whom the bell tolls…

Both the 30 and the 40 Square Meter were Olympic classes in the 1920 Olympics. The choice of Meter Rule boats for the Racing in Germany in the '80'swar-time Olympics spelled the demise of an era. After the war, the International Rule favored by the USA ended the large scale competition scene for the Square Meter yachts. Thankfully, they never lost their standing in some parts of Scandinavia.

Recent times have seen a rejuvination the Square Meter yacht and there are active fleets Sweden, Finland, Germany and even some reports of yachts in the Great Lakes of USA,. New boats are once again being built, but now often utilizing modern methods, e.g. cold molding.

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