Designer Doug Peterson Was A Change Agent

Doug Peterson was a naval architect whose prolific and landmark de-signs transformed an era of yacht racing. Peterson died June 26 of cancer. He was 71.

- Elaine Lembo

The Point Loma, California, resident and longtime member of the San Diego Yacht Club died on the day that Emirates Team New Zealand won the America’s Cup from Oracle Team USA, capping the life of the strategically minded sailor and principal member of design teams whose boats won the oldest trophy in sport for the United States in 1992 (America3) and New Zealand in 1995 (Black Magic).

“Doug Peterson was a gifted designer who used his sailing skills to understand what was required to create a fast boat,” says Cup-winning tactician Gary Jobson. “He was great fun to sail with and always had a positive outlook. I was very lucky to be a friend and occasional shipmate.”

Considered a wizard of yacht conception and competition, Peterson became a star during the 1970s and ’80s, and worked for decades thereafter. His designs won virtually every major national and international racing title and regatta, notable among them the Southern Ocean Racing Conference and the Admiral’s Cup.

In addition to America’s Cup boats, his fast designs ranged from “One Tonners” (particularly the 34-foot Ganbare, which launched his fame in 1973) to the 8 Meter series. In 1982, he modified the maxi Windward Passage, which won her class in several major races.