Introduction to the Hampton One Design

Selected Specifications for the Hampton One Design Class

• The boat may be built of 5/8" planking, fiberglass, or 3/8" plywood
• Sloop rigged, with strict adherence to planned hull shape required
• Length overall 18 ft. 0 in.  /  Length at water line 14 ft. 0 in.
• Beam at deck 5 ft. 9 1/2 in. /  Beam at chine 5 ft. 2 1/4 in.
• Displacement 500 pounds (full rig)  /  Draft  7 1/4 in.
• Sail area: 175 square feet 

To learn why to sail a Hampton, click here
For complete, unofficial specifications, click here
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Class History

In the early 1930s, a committee formed by Hampton Yacht Club members sought to find or create a small, nimble sloop that would successfully race and navigate the shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay.  The winning design was created by a local Hampton builder, Vincent Serio.  "Pappy" Serio built some 500 Hamptons, beginning with HOD 1 in 1934.  She cost $325.  Racing started among the HODs in 1935 and in 1938, the Hampton One Design Class Racing Association was formed. By that time, over 70 HODs actively raced. Popularity of the little sloop grew and soon HODs were found at regattas all up and down the Chesapeake.

Over time, the class modified its rules to permit a crew trapeze, a flexible aluminum mast, and fiberglass construction.  The fiberglass HOD was pioneered by BOW marine in the 1960s, leading to a fleet of self-bailing, low maintenance competitors.  Although interest in one-design racing slowed in the 70s and early 80s, the class enjoyed a renaissance, beginning in the early 90s, which continues today.  Old boats are being rebuilt and the molds for the fiberglass HOD have been purchased from BOW marine and transferred to a new builder, Mathews Brothers of St. Michaels, Maryland, who have crafted many recent class champions.  These new boats have been rigged by Eddie Williams, one of the original owners of BOW marine and a past champion himself. 

There has also been a rebirth of the wooden Hampton, pioneered by Latane Montague, who brought the design to master boat builder David Judson.  It worked out well for Latane, who won this year's class championship in 727, a new, beautiful plywood boat

The Hampton class has been active on the Chesapeake for nearly 70 years.  It is a testament to the wonderful design of the Hampton and to good management by the class's leadership that older boats compete successfully with their wooden and fiberglass sisters.  There is a very active racing schedule on both the upper and lower Chesapeake Bay and large, growing fleets in Hampton & Norfolk, Virginia, as well as Washington, D.C.

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More About Fiberglass Hamptons

Design and construction of the first fiberglass Hampton One Design was started in January1962. The fiberglass development was pioneered by Dave Brown, Waldo Oehman, and Ed Williams, the founding fathers of BOW Marine. The first approved Hampton was completed in the summer of 1963. Since that time the hull design has remained essentially the same with only minor changes being made to the interior. The rig and equipment have steadily progressed until the present status of three-stay rig, aluminum spars, and midship traveler. Having reached that point in development, the fiberglass Hampton has been standardized at an acceptable level of modernization.

The Hampton One Design Class Racing Association and BOW Marine worked together to accomplish what most older wood construction one-design classes have attempted to accomplish:  To build a modern fiberglass version which is on a par with the wooden boats in the class. The fiberglass Hampton is being built to stimulate growth of the class, and not to produce a "bomb" which will drive the older boats into obsolescence. There has not been, nor will there be any attempt made to alter lines, reduce weight, or change weight distribution to make the glass boats superior. The advantages of the fiberglass Hampton are enough without going to these extremes. The fiberglass Hampton is a beautiful boat which equates performance to the skipper's ability and not to his pocketbook or engineering talent. The success of the fiberglass Hampton is a tribute to the builders, and to the genuine interest of the Hampton One Design Class Racing Association to retain the one-design aspect of the boat.  

Construction of the fiberglass Hampton combines the traditional mahogany coming and trim of wooden boats with the colors, finishes, and rugged durability of fiberglass. These features, when combined with the inherent beauty of the Hampton, produces a sailboat equal to the best available anywhere. The fiberglass hull is made using four major molded pieces; the deck, the innershell, the innerbottom stiffeners, and the hull. Unique design and construction features include: the centerboard well molded as an integral part of the hull; all fiberglass construction except for the exterior mahogany trim; foam flotation in the innerbottom; self bailing; sandwich construction for stiffness and light weight; completely molded cockpit interior for specified thickness, weights and strengths can be maintained. Each part is carefully weighed for quality control purposes and to insure that the completed boat approaches minimum weight. In addition, the all fiberglass construction assures that the weight will remain more or less constant for the life of the boat.

Information about the Mathews Brothers new fiberglass HODs, including pricing

More About Modern Wooden Hamptons [soon to come]

Information about David Judson's new wooden HODs, including pricing

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"Pertinent Data" from the New Class Member's "Sea Chest"

Winning depends upon the ability of the individual. Ability in turn includes not only helmsmanship, but encompasses the tune of the boat, sails, conditioning, racing tactics, weather, and other variables found present in every race. The newcomer cannot expect to win at the outset, if he does it is much to his credit, but like any other sport a conditioning effect of time and experience is much to be desired. Perseverance is a factor always present, some never achieve major honors, but there is always plenty of company and the fun of trying to attain your goal.

The Hampton is a one design boat placing greatest emphasis on the ability of the individual. It cannot be denied; however, a well kept boat will greatly enhance the prospects of winning. This applies as a psychological advantage as well as a physical advantage. Take pride in the upkeep of your boat and dividends will so be evident in the outcome of your racing.

Sails are greater variables due to the fact that they are of cloth and subject to change by expansion and contraction each time they are used. They are the driving power of a sailboat and it cannot be emphasized too greatly that extremely good care must be afforded these 'motors. Likewise, it is ridiculous to talk about fractional differences in hulls, when sails vary so greatly in regard to the flexibility of their material.

Rules are for the purpose of an orderly class and the prevention of chaotic disorganization. No matter how complete; however, they cannot anticipate every possible situation and it is then their intent arises; that is if an ambiguity in the wording is discovered it should not be capitalized, but rather in the intention of the rules should be followed. If a subject is not covered therein, or by the dictates of the common sense, it should be assumed that it is or is not followed. A ruling to cover the subject must be obtained from the National Executive Committee.

Membership Dues - Annual dues are payable as set by the NEC. Non-payment of dues automatically disqualifies a boat owner from participation in any sanctioned regatta or Hampton function.

Name of Boat - There are no restrictions on the naming of a boat, but it is requested that all names be placed on file with the secretary so that more adequate records may be kept.

Changing Skippers - In all sanctioned regattas only one skipper (helmsman) is allowed to sail any one boat for the entire series except by permission of the race committee, said permission granted only in the case of proven accident or sickness.

Racing Equipment - The Hampton must be sailed with all essential equipment at all times while racing. This means that the rudder should not be removed to gain an advantage, such as crossing a bar or passing through seaweed.

Site of Nationals - The National Executive Committee with the approval of the National Champion selects the location for the Nationals for the coming year. The Nationals are to be held in August or September.

Novice Events - The rank and file should insist on events for the novice. Each fleet should see to it that their novices should have something to race for whether in the Fleet races or local regatta. He, too, pays dues.