[1][2][3] The design has been built in the United Kingdom since 1958, with 55 boats completed.

[1][3] The Hilbre One Design is a racing keelboat, built predominantly of wood with clinker construction.

It has a fractional sloop rig, a spooned raked stem, a plumb transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed stub keel with a retractable centreboard.

[1][3] The boat has a draft of 4.42 ft (1.35 m) with the centerboard extended and 1.56 ft (0.48 m) with it retracted, allowing operation in shallow water or ground transportation on a trailer.

[1][3] For downwind sailing the design is equipped with a spinnaker.