The Dragon was originally designed in 1929 by Johan Anker in Norway as a small cruiser-racer. Its potential was quickly spotted and soon after it came first to the Clyde in the UK and then to Cowes. There has been an active fleet established in Cowes ever since.

The boat has come a long way since it original conception and has moved through a period of being an Olympic Class from 1948 to 1972 and onwards from there to becoming the largest one design keelboat fleet in the world with fleets in 26 Countries Worldwide.

The conception that the Dragon is old fashioned in some quarters is quite wrong as can be testified to by all who sail her. Sensible progressive thinking has allowed modern technology gradually to be introduced over the years allowing the class to slowly evolve and change means we now have a very modern and up to date boat with a highly technical and challenging rig. The Dragon is not an easy boat which may be what frightens off some but for those prepared to accept the challenge she is infinitely rewarding.

The Cowes fleet races on Saturdays and Sundays from May until September with all the local Cowes Clubs and runs a number of different series which includes round the cans racing and Windward Leeward courses in a special Keelboat series sponsored by Red Funnel. We generally have between 30 and 40 boats competing in Cowes Week and normally hold the Wightlink sponsored Dragon South Coast Championships.

Our Social scene in Cowes is legendary with a number of dinners and parties throughout the year with our Cowes week cocktail party being acknowledged as the place to be seen.