The first recorded yacht race was to be held on Windermere in 1818, using, as its land base, the inn at Ferry Nab.

Indeed, the regatta of 1824 was witnessed by illustrious figures including Sir Walter Scott, William Wordsworth and Robert Southey.

This rule bending resulted in the construction of a 'one design' class, where all racing yachts had to conform to rather more stringent parameters than had hitherto been the case.

This resulted in the first 'Windermere' class racing yacht, having a waterline of 22' In 1887 Sir William Forwood acquired the Royal Warrant for the club.

The design brief for the boat was that it should be cheap, easy to handle, suitable for amateurs, capable of being taken out quickly and may be sailed single handed if necessary.

This was not a popular class as construction prices had increased markedly, following the Great War and there were plenty of 17' boats still in use.