Ensign

Originally built by Pearson Yachts as the Electra Day Sailer, this fiberglass sloop debuted in 1962. Carl Alberg soon refurbished his original 1959 design, adding a larger cockpit and small cuddy to the renamed boat. Strict class rules maintain the Ensign's simplicity and ease of handling, as well as the value of older boats in terms of both cost and competitiveness. At 22 feet (6.7m) in length, the Ensign is the largest full-keeled class by a significant margin. It races with a main, jib, large genoa, and large spinnaker. Almost 1,800 have been built so far, with strong national organization. The U.S. boasts fleets located mostly in the Northeast but as far west as Colorado and as far south as Florida. The Ensign was inducted into the Sailboat Hall of Fame in 2002.