The Bermuda IOD Fleet

The Bermuda International One Design Fleet is the oldest actively raced fleet in Bermuda, and in 2012 celebrated a history of 75 years of competitive world-class racing. The IOD design has its roots in a Six-Metre yacht named “Saga”, built in 1935 for Eldon and Kenneth Trimingham of Bermuda. The first five IODs arrived in Bermuda in 1938. Since then, IOD fleets have been established internationally, and now actively race in Norway, Sweden, Canada, the east and west coasts of the USA, and Bermuda.
Many of Bermuda’s preeminent local and internationally ranked sailors have at one time actively sailed an IOD, including Eldon Trimingham, Warren Brown, Bert Darrell, Penny Simmons and Peter Bromby.  Two of these local sportsmen, Penny Simmons and Peter Bromby have attained the title of World Champion, defeating contenders from Norway, Sweden, Scotland, Bermuda and the USA. The IOD is the boat of choice for the prestigious King Edward VII Gold Cup Match Racing event held each year in Hamilton Harbour. The International One Design can inarguably be considered the most recognized sailing fleet in Bermuda. 
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A Bit More History

Class History

The International One Design (IOD) is a classic racing sloop with strong representation across the globe and has become synonymous with Bermuda. There are currently nine active fleets spanning five countries, featuring national clubs in Maine, Massachusetts, New York and California, as well as international clubs in Norway, Scotland and Sweden.
In 1935, while racing in Bermuda, Cornelius Shields saw Eldon Trimingham’s 6-Meter yacht “Saga”. He was so taken with the boat that he had her designer Bjarne Aas from Fredrikstad, Norway, design a similar boat, although slightly lighter and with a taller rig, with the intention of starting a class of true international one-design boats. 
In 1936, Shields brought the first IOD, “Aileen”, to Long Island where he started a fleet. The next summer saw 25 IOD boats racing on Long Island Sound. Other fleets would emerge in Bermuda, Marblehead Massachusetts, Northeast Harbour Maine, San Francisco California, Fisher Island New York, Norway, Sweden and Scotland.
As the IOD came to life, World War II was in its beginning stages. Four years would pass between when “Aileen” hit the water, and the German invasion of Denmark and Norway, but Aas was prepared. Aas buried the IOD molds during the German occupation to ensure their survival. He was successful, and the same molds were later used to produce a “plug” for fibreglass IODs, which are prevalent in the 10 active IOD fleets in five countries today.
The IOD Class was the first ever to achieve International Classic Yacht status with the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).

Specifications

LOA 33'5"
LWL 21'5"
Beam 6'9"
DSPL 7,100 lbs
Draft 5'4"
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History of the IOD Class

The Bermuda International One Design Fleet is the oldest actively raced sailing fleet in Bermuda, with a history of over 60 years of competitive world-class racing. The International One Design (IOD) is a graceful, classic design which was the first class to be recognized by the International Sailing Federation in the Classic Yacht category. The IOD design has its roots in a Six-Metre yacht named “Saga”, built in 1935 for Eldon and Kenneth Trimingham of Bermuda. The six metre design was modified to make the boat easier to handle as a one design class racer. The first five Bermuda IODs arrived in 1938. Since then, IOD fleets have been established internationally, and now actively race in Norway, Sweden, Scotland, the east and west coasts of the USA, and Bermuda.

The Bermuda IOD Fleet’s racing schedule spans March to November each year, and includes over 30 events. The IOD is the boat of choice for the prestigious King Edward VII Gold Cup Match Racing event held each year in Hamilton Harbour. The International One Design can inarguably be considered the most recognized sailing fleet in Bermuda.

The Bermuda IOD Fleet welcomes new skippers and crew who wish to sail.

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Boat Details

Sail #NameHull ColourOwnerLocation
2 Ariel White Penny Simmons Agar's Island
5 Encore Red Bob Duffy Pitt's Bay
6 Blitz White George Cubbon Agar's Island
10 Bounty White Walker's Soncy Bay
11 Solna Dark Green Patrick Cooper Soncy Bay
14 Gaylord Grey IOD Class Association Watlington Island / Timlins
15 Privateer Dark Green Michael Richold Pitt's Bay
16 Vrengen Turquoise Craig Davis Soncy Bay
17 Falcon Dark Blue Rick Thompson Soncy Bay
18 Dalliance White Kevin Horsfield Whites Island
20 Impulse White Walker's Soncy Bay
21 Peppercorn Yellow Walker's Agar's Island
22 Slingshot White Preston Hutchings Whites Island
23 Shadow Black Walker Agar's Island

 

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