In the early 1930s, a committee formed by Hampton Yacht Club members sought to find or create a small, nimble sloop that would successfully race and navigate the shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
The winning design was created by a local Hampton builder, Vincent Serio. “Pappy” Serio built some 500 Hamptons, beginning with HOD 1 in 1934. She cost $325. Racing started among the HODs in 1935 and in 1938, the Hampton One Design Class Racing Association was formed. By that time, over 70 HODs actively raced. Popularity of the little sloop grew and soon HODs were found at regattas all up and down the Chesapeake.
Key contact:
Tom Ballantine: tom.ballantine@gmail.com