Bill Lapworth

C. William Lapworth (1918-1987) was an influential American yacht designer whose Cal 40 design (1963) revolutionized offshore racing and cruising. An engineer by training, Lapworth brought scientific analysis to yacht design while maintaining aesthetic elegance. His designs dominated West Coast racing in the 1960s and 1970s. Notable designs include the Cal 20, 25, 40, and 48, plus numerous custom racers. The Cal 40 became the boat to beat in ocean racing, winning countless races and influencing yacht design for decades. Lapworth pioneered the use of fiberglass in performance boats and helped establish California as a center of innovative yacht design. His boats balanced racing performance with cruising practicality, making them enduringly popular.