One-size-fits-all
When it comes to regatta sailing, boats and yachts are referred to as one-size-fits-all or one-design , which are manufactured according to a specified construction plan and are therefore almost identical, even if they are manufactured by different shipyards.
This means that all participants in a regatta start under largely the same conditions. A fair competition is guaranteed in which the focus is not on construction, material, equipment and budget, but on the skills of the sailors.
The building regulations and all rules relating to the unit class, such as equipment, size, shape, weight, construction material, sails of the boat, etc., are described and stipulated in the class regulations, which in turn are based on the general building regulations of the ISAF or those of a national association. The class rules are very narrow for all parts relating to the speed of the boat. There are generally tolerances that allow for minor construction errors. The basic principle of a one-size-fits-all class is: Everything that is not allowed is forbidden.
At championships, a measurement takes place before the regatta, in which the conformity of the individual boats and their equipment with the class regulations is determined. During the regatta you can check that nothing has been replaced or converted. This possible misconduct by a crew can result in penalties that worsen the overall ranking. The particular attraction of a regatta with one-class yachts is the compensation-free sailing against each other. This means: the first yacht to cross the finish line has won the race visibly for all participants and each participant can easily determine his own position during the race.
Standard class boats are, for example, Drachen , Laser , Yngling , Star , Soling or Splash . The International 806 is an example of a standard class yacht .