Dinky Vail of the Norfolk Fleet. The boats are fast. able, and light in weight. There are now more than 500 Hampton One Designs in use.
 
OVER-ALL LENGTH: 18 FT. MAXIMUM DRAFT: 3½ FT. BEAM: 5 FT. 9\i IN. SAIL AREA: 149.8 SQ. FT.
 
The Hampton One Design was designed during the winter of 1934 by Vincent J. Serio for a group of yachtsmen at the Hampton Yacht Club, Hampton, Va. The group was seeking a fast, light, able boat adaptable for one-design racing in local waters. This required a boat with shallow draft, light weight, and good all-around sailing ability. The newly designed Serio boat appeared to meet the desired requirements, so five of them were ordered for the 1935 season. The Hampton Yacht Club was so impressed with the qualities of this boat that it was adopted as a one-design by the club.

The class has never been nationally advertised, but grew rapidly due to the obvious merits of the boat itself. In October, 1938, there were 77 Hampton One Designs between the Carolinas and Maine, and more were being built. In view of the rapidly spreading popularity of the Hampton, it was decided that a national organization for control of the class should be founded, so the Hampton One Design Class Racing Association was formed on October 22, 1938.

There are now more than 500 Hamptons in various sections of the country. National races are held each year. The 1952 races will be sailed at Portsmouth, Va., in early August. At the present time, there are organized fleets in Seattle; Annapolis; Washington; St. Marys, Md.; Cambridge, Md.;

Chester-town, Md.; and Norfolk, Portsmouth, Gloucester, Fishing Bay, and Hampton, Va.

Mr. Serio, who lives in Hilton Village, Va., was one of the original owners of the Hampton Roads Boat Works, where the first Hamptons were built. Since leaving this concern, he has continued to build Hampton One Designs to order and has also made numerous knockdown kits at his present location, the Serio Boat Yard, Hampton, Va. At least one of these popular boats can always be found in process of construction under the personal supervision of Mr. Serio.

The Hamptons have many advantageous features. Not the least of these is their simple V-bottom construction, which makes them easy for amateurs to build. I personally have built three Hamptons and want to stress the fact that they are ideal projects for home craftsmen. The finished products are light enough to be hauled about on trailers. Thanks to their shallow draft, centerboards, and outboard rudders, they can operate handily in shoal waters. They are fast and able, thus offering the best in one-design racing. The cockpit in each is large enough for four persons to go day-sailing in comfort. The latest boats in the class have glued-up hulls, aluminum centerboards, and wide single spreaders on the shrouds.

Dimensions of the Hampton are as follows: over-all length, 18 ft.; water-line length, about 14 ft.; beam, 5 ft. 9V2 in.; draft, IV2 in. with board up and 3% ft. with board down; and sail area, 149.8 sq. ft. Many people consider the Hampton to be one of the fastest sloops having a sail area of less than 150 sq. ft.

The present champion of the class is Robert Harrell of the Portsmouth fleet. The commodore is Harold Johnson, Elizabeth Rd., Hampton, Va. The secretary is R. B. Harrison, III, Hope St., Hampton, Va.

Official Hampton One Design Class plans can be obtained from Mr. Serio for $7.50 per set. He requires that one set of plans be purchased for each boat built. A fleet can be formed by three or more owners of Hamptons. All active members of the Hampton One Design Class pay $2.50 annual dues.

The minimum number of persons allowed in any boat during a race is two and the maximum is four. No dead weight can be carried as shifting or stationary ballast. The only sails that can be used are the standard jib and mainsail. A 15-lb. anchor, 100 ft. of line, and a paddle must be aboard each boat when racing.

At the annual national races, a perpetual trophy is awarded to the winner. This trophy was donated by the Hampton Yacht Club and is called the National Hampton One Design Class Championship Trophy. It is held by the winning fleet until the next series.

A. W. Brittingham, Jr.

Hampton No. 62 is owned by M. L. Biyant of the Hampton Fleet. There's room for four aboard.
 
Dinky Vail in dusty going. The Hampton is one of the fastest knockabouts in her size range.

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