Home › Sports › Sailing › One-design

What is One-design in Sailing?

A racing philosophy where every boat in the class is built to identical specifications, so results reflect sailing skill rather than equipment budgets. All Olympic classes are one-design, with measurement checks enforcing conformity.

Example: In one-design racing you cannot buy a faster boat, only sail better.

Related terms

Tack (manoeuvre)Tack (port/starboard)Gybe (jibe)Beat (upwind leg)Run and reachWindward and leewardLaylineMark
Full Sailing guide