Bermuda Rig

‘The heavy tax on sail area under the Universal Rule meant designers had to make a given sail area more efficient. Gaff topsails were not as as efficient sails as the mainsails so the mainsails became larger , taller and narrower, the topsail disappearing in smaller classes.

In 1919 George Nichols re rigged a 50ft one design Carolina and over a week raced her against Grayling a very similar 50foot one design. The new Bermudan rig proved so superior up wind that he adopted the rig.

In 1921 he entered her with her new rig and won both the Kings Cup and Astor Cup, from then on the Bermudan rig became very popular with many older boats being converted. The Bermudan rig had long been known and used on the Chesapeake but never relaly adopted for yacht racing possibly because ofthe rating rules governing the sport at the time.

In 1923 the rig was formally recognised in the Universal Rule with an upper limit being placed on mast hight.