The development of cruising yachts in America has followed in a general way the development of the racing type. While no measurement rule had to be considered in their design, it was natural that in hull design the boats should take the same characteristics as the racing craft, especially as they were sailed on more or less protected waters, or along the coast where harbours were frequent. However, shortly after the World War, several designers, notably John G. Alden and William H. Hand, Jr., developed a type of small seaworthy yacht for cruising, embodying many of the characteristics of the New England fishing schooners. These boats were good offshore cruisers, and they quickly became popular, and were soon taking part successfully in long distance and ocean races, such as the one from New London to Bermuda, while several boats of this design, from 5o to 55ft. long over all, made the Atlantic passage with safety and comfort.
Long distance racing along the coast, and ocean races, have been, until recently, more popular among Amer ican yachtsmen than among those of the European yachting na tions. The first trans-Atlantic race was sailed in 1866, between three American schooners, in the month of December, one of them being a centreboarder, and the others keel yachts. These schoon ers were the "Henrietta," "Fleetwing" and "Vesta," the first win ning in the fast time of 13 days 21 hours and 45 minutes. The greatest ocean race ever sailed was in 1905, when II large yachts raced from Sandy Hook to Land's End, England, two British yachts, one German, and the rest American. It was won by the American three-masted schooner "Atlantic" in 12 days 4 hours I min., for the course of 3,013 miles, still the record in 1937.
About 1905 ocean racing in small yachts was inaugurated by the late Thomas Fleming Day to demonstrate that small boats, prop erly designed, built and handled, could keep the sea with safety. He inaugurated the race from New York to Bermuda, and later, one to Havana for power craft. After the War the Bermuda Race was revived and is now sailed every two years. It has grown in popularity and between 1930 and 1936 from 35 to 4o small yachts sailed in every race. A special type of ocean racing yacht has been developed as a result. largely due to the success of "Dorade" and "Stormy Weather," designed by Olin J. Stephens. These new yachts are both seaworthy and fast. The Cruising Club of Amer ica has been largely instrumental in fostering this type of racing. On the Pacific coast the principal ocean race, for which a perma nent cup has been put up, is one from the California coast to Hon olulu, Hawaiian Islands, a distance of about 2,200 miles. This is sailed every two years. In 1928 a trans-Atlantic race from New York to Spain was sailed, with nine entries. In 1931 a race from the United States to Plymouth, England, brought out Io entries under 72 feet in length and was won by "Dorade," only 39 feet long on the water, which made the phenomenal time of 17 days 2 hours. In 1935 a race from Newport to Norway was won by the "Stormy Weather," 4o feet on the water, over a course of 3118 miles in 19 days 5 hours.
It is toward the development of the sailing yacht that American yachtsmen have devoted most of their energy and effort.