Introduction to the Square Metre Rule

An outline of the Square Metre Rule
Rules for Skerry Cruisers (Square Metre Rule), edition 2005/1 (PDF 501 KB)

This version of the Skerry Cruiser Rule is a translation of the valid Swedish Rule. In case of divergences, the Swedish rule, as interpreted by the Swedish Classification Board, is valid.

This present Rule was first adopted in 1925 and has been modified in minor details since then.

The Skerry Cruiser has national status in Sweden with all the nine classes. The 30 m2 class has national status in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Concerning new designs, the practice has been worked out over the years that the SSKF Classifying Board classify new drawings for all the nine classes world-wide, except for the 30 m2 class in central Europe. The classification of the yachts in Germany, Switzerland and Austria is handled by the Internationale Vereinigung der 30m2 Schärenkreuzer Klasse e.V (Internatinal Association of the 30 m2 Class).

The first Skerry Cruise rule was accepted 1908 and modified several times until 1925. Yachts built according to one of these early rules do not comply with the present rule. The older yachts can however be given a "Letter of measurement for old Square Metre Yachts" by the SSKF, if the yacht fulfils the two following requirements:

  1. The yacht has once been classified as a Skerry Cruiser. This point shall be proven by documents, printed text or other proofs that is accepted - by the SSKF.
  2. The rigging and sail area shall be according to the present rule, with the exception that the rig dimensions can be according to the lower class, for example: an old 40 m2 uses the minimum dimensions of the 30 m2 in the present rule. These rigging dimensions are very close to the older rules.

This document is mainly made to give the yacht an up-dated document that proves that it has the right to use the name "Skerry Cruiser" (or "Square Metre Yacht"), as having once been built to one of the older Skerry Cruiser rules.