In 1935 the Yacht Racing Association – the forerunner of the Royal Yachting Association – created the National Twelve Foot restricted class. A restricted class limits possible adaptations within a set of rules.
In 1936 The YRA asked Uffa Fox to produce his first National 12: the Uffa King. Fox only built two 12s, of which Westwind, shown in the photograph, built for Bruce Banks, is the sole survivor.
Westwind won the Burton Trophy in 1939, and again in 1950, here in Falmouth, skippered by Bruce Banks. It also won the Yachting World Points Cup in 1947, 1948 and 1950, in addition to many lesser prizes. It was ahead of other 1939 National 12s in the use of modified stainless steel rigging, and sail alterations.
Found in a dilapidated condition in 1967, the boat was carefully restored, equipped with contemporary fittings and one of its original suits of cotton sails. It sailed in 1970 and 1971 and proved itself still able to compete against more recently built 12s.
Since the days of Westwind, leading designers have produced different variations within the rules: today the class numbers some 3,500.
Dimensions
Length 3.66m
Beam 1.37m
Draft, centreplate down, 1.22m
