"The very first 505s"

Early fleet of 505s racing on the english coast

This picture comes from a book "Yachts in Colour" by A.K.Beken published in London in 1960, dating the 5o5 picture to late 1950s.
The boat in the foreground has the sail number 150, the one immediately ahead of it is number 2. The boat with white sails leading the race appears to have sail number 1, although the number is not clear. Other boats in the picture are (from right to left) number 41, 6, K121 and 24.

The caption reads:

"The International 5O5 Class

This class is of reasonably recent date and has leaped into prominience as a most practical and exciting dinghy to race. Large numbers have been built in England and France. They are well decked in and comfortable. Trapezes can be used by the crew to enable them to sit well out to winward. They are virtually unsinkable and if they capsize can be quickly righted, and sailed on, the water escaping through scuppers in the transom."

Thanks to Witold Gesing who sent us this photo!

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