The demise of the mighty 23-Metres

hen the First International Rule came into force in 1907, nine classes were created for boats rating between 5 Metres and 23 Metres. Only three of the largest class were ever built and none survive today, . With upwind sail areas not much short of 10,000ft2, these mighty gaff cutters were raced hard and fast at regattas around the British Isles and magazine was fulsome in its praise for them.