These boats defined modern sailing

In this report for Practical Boat Owner, Saša Fegić shares his pick of the legendary designs that shaped sailing history.

The history of sailing is not just a story of wind and water – it is also a story of boats. Of six boats in particular: the Optimist, the Hobiecat 16, the Folkboat, the Swan 36, the J/24, and the high-performing Mini 6.50.

The sea has a way of separating the merely good from the truly legendary.

Some boats are just tools – floating concoctions of glassfibre and wood – while others etch themselves into the soul of sailing, rewriting the rules and leaving wakes that never fade.

From humble trainers to ocean-conquering racers, these designs didn’t just sail – they revolutionised sailing and inspired generations of sailors. – Full report