2-695-363 - Kirk & Sons of Cowes/Heritage-Images

The 12 Metre racing yachts 'Vim' and 'Tomahawk', 1939. 'Tomahawk' was one of the large Twelves built just before the war. It was designed by Charles Nicholson and comissioned by the aviator Thomas Sopwith. Sopwith wanted a very competitive yacht to race against his friend and America’s Cup rival Harold Vanderbilt who had commissioned 'Vim'. 'Tomahawk' confirmed to be a very fast boat and was the best British 12 of the season. 'Vim' was designed in 1939 by Olin Stephens, 'Vim' had numerous innovative features including a trim tab on the rudder, two-speed winches and a lighter mast made of Duralumin (a form of aluminium used in the aircraft industry). 'Vim' is considered a benchmark design which was continually refined over her racing career. In 1939 'Vim' came to the UK and won 19 races out of 28.