Chancegger 12 F 4

Designed by Britton Chance Jr. – Built by Hermann Egger, 1969

Design and Construction

Chancegger was designed by Britton Chance Jr. and built in 1969 for Baron Marcel Bich as part of the French America’s Cup development program. Constructed by Hermann Egger in Switzerland, she was built of Honduran mahogany—a gift from the French Navy—and represents one of the most advanced wooden 12 Metres ever created.

Although registered in France with sail number 12 F 4, her conception was international in scope. Built outside of strict America’s Cup nationality rules, she was never meant to compete directly, but rather to serve as a trial horse and design experiment leading up to the 1970 French challenge. Chancegger introduced several technical innovations, including a hull with significantly reduced wetted surface area and a distinctive knuckle bow that influenced subsequent 12 Metre designs.

Early Career and Testing

When launched, Chancegger immediately drew attention for her speed and responsiveness. Contemporary accounts described her as “perhaps the fastest 12 Metre yacht in the world.” Although not an official Cup contender, she was a vital research platform for the French syndicate, testing hull shapes, rigs, and sail configurations that would later influence France I and France II.

Her performance confirmed the success of Britton Chance Jr.’s experimental design philosophy, blending lightweight wooden construction with modern hydrodynamics. She embodied the transition between traditional craftsmanship and the new scientific approach to yacht design emerging at the end of the 1960s.

Later Ownership and Restoration

Over the decades, Chancegger passed through several owners and spent periods in both Europe and Australia, notably Melbourne and Sydney, where she underwent extensive restoration work. Her structure and original lines were preserved with great care, maintaining her legacy as one of the last and fastest wooden 12 Metres ever built.

In recent years, she has appeared in brokerage and restoration listings, her remarkable condition and history making her a standout among surviving Second and Third Rule Twelves. As of 2024, Chancegger was being offered for sale, with reports describing her as “the fastest wooden 12 Metre ever built,” still retaining the elegance and speed that defined her origin.

Legacy

Chancegger 12 F 4 occupies a unique place in 12 Metre history. Conceived as an experimental yacht outside the constraints of the America’s Cup, she became a bridge between the classic and modern eras of the class. Her innovative form and enduring beauty continue to symbolize the technical ingenuity and aesthetic refinement of late 1960s yacht design—an era when artistry and performance met at their finest balance