Skal was designed in 1930, primarily as a seagoing cruiser, but she was also fast.  In the 1930 Bermuda race, she finished 11th out of 42 and weathered an 80 knot blow on her return. The next year she competed in the TransAtlantic Race.  Dorade became famous for winning that race, but Skal did very well, coming in second.  Her old-fashioned gaff rig spread lots of sail area, and her modest ends left her a relatively long water line.  She had enough beam and draft to carry sail in a blow.  One crew member wrote that she was an admirable sea boat, fully as comfortable as larger craft.  Her motion, even in the worst weather, was remarkably easy, and she was very dry.