Conversations with Classic Boats

Conversations with Classic Boats is a podcast about classic boat designs and the stories behind them. Hosted by Tom Darling, this episode celebrates the International Six Metre Class.

Classic race boats built to the International Rule found an early home at the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club in Oyster Bay, New York. In the post World War I era, leading yachtsmen in the Northeast built and raced Six Metres designed by top designers like Crane, Stephens, Whiton, and Luders. The Six was an Olympic class from 1906 to 1952, and continues to provide class racing.

In September 2025, the International Six Metre Class will bring its World Championship back to Long Island Sound.

Two individuals, Peter Hofmann from Seattle and Rainer Muller from Vancouver by way of Switzerland, are the driving force of the Worlds. Both are keepers of the legacy of the over 1200 Sixes built over time, including the famous Goose and the 1952 Olympic Gold Champion, llanoria. These two boats are the rock stars of the 450 Six Metre boats still in existence today.

In September 2024, Muller brought seven boats from his collection of dozens of Six Metres to hold a “Pre Worlds” off Oyster Bay. In a 16-20 knot easterly, the boats demonstrated their grace and power. This episode includes an expanded gallery of photos taken on a picture-perfect fall LIS day by Peter Taylor whose grandfather, George Nichols, launched Goose in 1938.