Skip Etchells

Elwood Widmer "Skip" Etchells (July 5, 1911 – December 20, 1998) was a pioneering American naval architect, boat builder, and competitive sailor whose innovations in one-design racing sailboats left an indelible mark on the sport. Standing 6'3" and known for his no-nonsense demeanor (e.g., critiquing poor helming with quips like "Look at that wake; it'd break a snake's back"), Etchells blended engineering precision with a passion for speed and simplicity. He is best remembered for designing the International Etchells Class (originally the Etchells 22), a 30 ft 6 in keelboat that has become one of the world's most competitive one-design classes, with over 5,700 hulls built and fleets in 11 countries. His work helped modernize classes like the Star and influenced generations of racers, including America's Cup legends like Dennis Conner, a three-time Etchells world champion.
Etchells' legacy embodies the post-WWII sailing boom: building fast, fair boats that rewarded skill while fostering community. He built hundreds of Star-class winners at his yard and campaigned globally with his wife, Mary, who remains the only woman to win a Star Worlds.