George Hazen

George H. Hazen (George Henry Hazen, 1922–2012), the prolific Canadian-American naval architect whose designs shaped the fiberglass revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, earned acclaim for blending aerodynamic principles from his aeronautical engineering background with intuitive yacht hydrodynamics, yielding agile, affordable sailboats that democratized racing and cruising for weekend warriors across North America's inland waters. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, and educated at the University of Toronto (B.A.Sc. in Aeronautical Engineering, 1946), Hazen apprenticed under Sparkman & Stephens in New York before founding his eponymous design firm in 1956, specializing in lightweight, high-performance one-designs and pocket cruisers optimized for production molding; his philosophy—rooted in wind-tunnel testing and empirical towing-tank trials—prioritized low wetted surface, balanced rudders, and sail-to-displacement ratios exceeding 20 for spirited handling without excess complexity. Among his 50+ designs, standouts include the Tanzer 22 (1967, over 600 built by Tanzer Industries, a 22-foot LOA fractional sloop with 7'9" beam, 1'3" board-up draft, and 280 sq ft sail area for trailerable lake racing); the nimble Tanzer 16 (1969, ~300 units, a 16-foot daysailer with planning hull and 110 sq ft rig); the versatile Tanzer 7.5 (1973, ~200 built, a 24'6" pocket cruiser with fin keel and 6'2" headroom); and the compact Ghost 13 (1973–1976, ~25–30 hulls, a 13-foot racing dinghy with 90 sq ft sail for club fleets). Collaborating closely with Quebec's Tanzer Industries and Ontario's Hinterhoeller Yachts, Hazen's boats—characterized by hand-laid triaxial fiberglass, minimal ballast (often crew-dependent), and spade rudders—excelled in Great Lakes regattas and ICW jaunts, with many completing Transatlantic crossings despite modest displacements (1,500–4,000 lbs.). A quiet innovator who authored technical papers on yacht aerodynamics and served as commodore of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Hazen semi-retired in the 1980s to consulting, leaving a legacy of enduring classics that today fetch $5,000–$25,000 restored; inducted into the Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame (2003), his designs—prized for forgiving stability and joyful speed—continue to inspire fleets from Toronto Bay to Chesapeake harbors, proving that elegance in simplicity sails the farthest.