Gary Mull

Gary Mull (1939-1994) was a revolutionary American yacht designer who helped establish the 'Santa Cruz school' of yacht design emphasizing speed and innovation. Based in Santa Cruz, California, Mull designed numerous successful racing yachts that dominated West Coast racing in the 1970s and 1980s. His designs featured innovative underbody shapes, lightweight construction, and aggressive sailing characteristics. Notable designs include Improbable, which won the 1979 Fastnet Race, and numerous IOR champions. Mull pioneered computer-aided design in yacht development and influenced a generation of designers including Bill Lee and others. His approach emphasized maximum performance and helped establish California as a center of innovative yacht design.