S&S One Ton -1966 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

The 1966 Sparkman & Stephens (S&S) One Ton design represents a definitive era in offshore racing, marking the transition from heavy-displacement traditionalists to the performance-oriented "level rating" classes. At this juncture in maritime history, the One Ton Cup had recently shifted from 6-meter boats to offshore cruisers rated at 22 feet under the RORC (Royal Ocean Racing Club) rule. This specific 1966 design—most famously embodied by the legendary Rainbow II—was a masterclass in balancing heavy-weather stability with a hull form that could excel in a wide variety of conditions. Built primarily of wood, aluminum, or early cold-molded laminates, these vessels were designed before the extreme "distorted" hull shapes of the later IOR (International Offshore Rule) era took hold, resulting in a yacht that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is seaworthy. The design lineage of the 1966 One Tonner is perhaps most significant for spawning the S&S 34, a production yacht that became one of the most respected circumnavigators in history.