in 1887 thomas middleton, a dublin solicitor, thought that yacht racing was too expensive. he then invented the one-design boat. he wanted yacht racing to show just skill at sailing with all boats to be the same. he found some other people who agreed with him and they decided on a design for the new boat. they decided to call the boat 'the water wag'. the water wag club is still in dún laoghaire harbour (near dublin, ireland), and they race every wednesday evening during the summer.