Alvin L. Youngquist

Alvin L. Youngquist was a prominent American naval architect from Toledo, Ohio, best known for designing the iconic Y Flyer sailboat in 1938, which first appeared as a home-build project in The Rudder magazine and was officially introduced in 1940. A young and innovative designer at the time, Youngquist drew inspiration from the hull lines of large inland lake scows to create the Y Flyer's lightweight, flat-bottomed, hard-chined scow design—measuring 18 feet in length with exceptional stability and upwind performance—making it accessible for amateur builders and ideal for two-person racing or family sailing. He served as Commodore of the White Lake Yacht Club in Whitehall, Michigan, where his passion for one-design sailing likely influenced the class's emphasis on inclusivity and performance. Youngquist's work extended to at least two sailboat designs, as noted in sailing databases, though the Y Flyer remains his enduring legacy, with over 2,770 boats built and active fleets across the U.S., Canada, and beyond. Little is publicly documented about his personal life or later career, but his contributions continue to fuel a vibrant sailing community through the Y-Flyer Yacht Racing Association.