In October 1896 a meeting was held at Bembridge Sailing Club to discuss a proposal to form a new class of keelboat. The club had been founded just 10 years previously and the members had been sailing a variety of boats, many of them Half Raters, which typically became uncompetitive by the end of their first season. After agreeing to approach Charles E Nicholson to commission a new design, things then moved very quickly. As soon as Nicholson presented his proposals just 10 days later, his company Camper & Nicholsons, was immediately instructed to build nine boats.
It was agreed that the class should be known as the Redwings and that all boats should have red sails. Perhaps the most significant decision – and one that is a highly significant factor in the enduring nature of the class to this day – was that, while the hull would be a strict one design, any rig would be permitted as long as the sail area didn’t exceed 200sq ft (18.6sq m). This would allow owners to have some freedom, but without the complexities and expense of a true development class.
By January 1897 four boats had been completed, with another 10 following during that first season. The first race was held at Bembridge on 1 June, although
