505

John Westell of Britain designed the 505 dinghy in 1954 when the French Yachting Association called upon him to establish a new One-Design racing class — the 5.05 metre boat achieved International Status a year later. The rules for the hull shape and sail plan have not been changed in the last 50 years, and today the 505 boat is actively raced in 18 countries around the world. Annual world championships regularly attract 100 or more of these fast, customizable, high-performance boats.