Sailing Boat Association

The Sailing Boat Association was formed in 1888 to promote 'the interests of small boat sailing and to obtain a uniform system of measurement and time allowances'. It was decided that the Association should consist of recognized sailing clubs on the Thames between Oxford and Teddington and of such other clubs not sailing on tidal waters which might be willing to conform to the rules. It particularly catered for the Rater, half-Rater and later the Handicap Dinghy classes and was the earliest association to foster racing in sailing dinghies. In 1890 the Association began consultations with the Thames Conservancy on new bye-laws for steam vessels and sailing boats on the Upper Thames. In 1928 the Association decided to adopt the Yacht Racing Association rules in place of its own and it sought association with this organization. The Association was dissolved in 1947.