[1][2] The boat design was chosen by a Hampton Yacht Club committee that was formed to select a sloop for racing on Chesapeake Bay, with its shallow waters.

At least 60 boats were built from fiberglass as well, once the class rules were amended to permit that material.

[1][2][3] The Hampton One-Design is a recreational sailboat, built predominantly of cedar wood or, since 1961 of fiberglass, with wooden trim.

The hull has a spooned raked stem, an angled transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller and a retractable centerboard.

[1][2] The boat has a draft of 3.50 ft (1.07 m) with the centerboard extended and 7 in (18 cm) with it retracted, allowing beaching or ground transportation on a trailer.