Dick Carter

An outstanding autobiography by one of the world's best racing yacht designers. The focus is on his design and racing in the 1960s and 1970s - on his famous and innovative "Rabbit," "Tina" and "Red Rooster" among others. Carter was the innovator behind ubiquitous features such as separating the keel from the rudder, in-mast halyards, dramatically reduced wetted surface, and even a swing and a canting keel. He focused on pure boat speed for a given condition while being mindful of rating show more rules. He was a leader in establishing IOR which consolidated competing international rating rules. It also appears he was a very thoughtful nice person.
Interestingly, he was a reluctant yacht designer - having never formerly trained for the profession. He and / or his family must have had money to support his racing and travel, but, disappointingly, he never describes his or his family's business background in anything other than a cursory overview.
Sadly, he essentially gave up yacht design by 1983. Many of his designs and boats still strive - including a virant class of Carter 30s in of all places Russia.. show less