This is the first history to be published on the life of Lou Tercel, a working-class Auckland crane driver turned legendary yacht designer, and his best-known creation. Built in the backyard of the family home, Ranger dominated the A-class competition from her launch in 1938 until finally outclassed by the technological advances of the 1960s, and is credited with inspiring today's crop of successful Kiwi sailors, many of whom have made it to the pinnacle of world yacht racing. Yachtsmen from Chris Bouzaid and the late Peter Blake to Chris Dickson and Russell Coutts have credited Ranger on their path to success in the Whitbread, One Ton Cup and America's Cup. Lou Tercel's name is well known in the international yachting community, and was posthumously honoured when Ranger was selected to represent New Zealand and the America's Cup team at Cowes, England in 2001.