History
of the N10 Class Sail Boat:
The National 10 class was
originally known as the Turnabout class, built in 1953 by Harold R.Turner as a
small wooden single or double handed dinghy class. Many boats were kit built by
"do it yourselfers" in their garages or cellars.
The boats were initially
built as a junior training boat, although adults enjoy the boats as well. The
class has grown mainly in the
In 1972 the turnabout class
formally changed it's name to the "National 10 " class. It also
decided to refine the class by approving a new mold, designed as close as
possible to the original wooden design. This was accomplished by J.R.Duplin
Marine in 1972, with some major improvements, including aluminum spars. The
minimum class weight of 215 lbs was increased to 255 lbs. to keep both the
older
The class had it's growing
pains for several years, dividing the older designed boats and the newer N-10s
competition wise, as there was initially a major difference in all around
performance; (which was to be expected, but not readily accepted).
In the fall of 1997 the
class finally voted to have all boats compete together. This was accomplished
with little argument and thus increased the fleet and regatta competitions. The
1997 Midgets competition had over 120 participants.
The class is now back on track to continue it's growth (approx.4200) as a truly solid and competitive junior and senior class sailboat.