Elliott 7 - Class History

History of the Elliott 7 Class in Australia

The Elliott 7 Class was introduced into Australia in 1992 from the Greg Elliott design sailed in New Zealand. The rig was increased in size and the Elliott 780 rudder blade was adopted to suit Australian conditions.

The Australian Elliott 7 Class Association was incorporated in the ACT in 2001 and the Constitution, including the Technical Specifications and Restrictions of the Class, was adopted in 2003. The Elliott 7 Class is affiliated with Yachting Australia as a National Class.

There are presently forty two boats in Australia, as well a one in Korea. Two of the boats in Australia have been modified and no longer qualify as an Elliott 7.

Four boats (E12 to E15) were imported from New Zealand. Twenty boats (E22 to E45) were built by Modern Concept Yachts of Mona Vale as the original licensed builder in Australia, followed by eighteen boats (E45 to E64) built by John Deane of Toronto and most recently three boats (E70 to E72) were built by Cameron Pryce of Gladstone as the present licensed builder.

Elliott 7s are sailed in every state and territory of Australia, except the Northern Territory.

Over the last decade, the class has grown strongly in Queensland from a strong base in NSW and the ACT. There is also a gathering of boats in Melbourne and Perth. A fleet is being started in Griffith, NSW, and the E7 presence is being re-gathered on Lake Macquarie, NSW.

Mike Green is the current National Champion and ACT Champion.

The competitive advantage of the E7 is the combination of its leading-edge performance, strict one-design nature of the Class and the supportive community of E7 owners and sailors. This is reinforced by the availability of good second hand boats at relatively low prices. Older boats can and do win national championships.