Sparkman & Stephens “Stormy Weather”

“I agree that at the time Stormy was built the distinction between racer and cruiser/racer was blurred and the plan title reflects that fact. But I think it was true that both the owner and I were making our best efforts toward a no compromise approach to a winner. In my opinion the label was fortuitous. I think we all liked to say “oh this boat is really for cruising, isn’t it nice she’s so fast”. A nice back up position but I’d rather say that Stormy did what she was designed to do.”

Historical:

An evolution from Olin Stephens equally famous Dorade (1929), Stormy Weather, was designed when he was only twenty-five. Stormy Weather was launched into a hazy morning on 14 May 1934, and was christened by Miss Polly LeBoutillier, the daughter of the owner. On seeing the yacht out of the water at Nevins Yard John Alden is quoted as saying, “In my opinion a better design would be impossible to achieve.”

Mr. LeBoutillier had not decided on a name for his vessel as she was being built at the Henry B. Nevins Yard, City Island, New York in late 1933 and into ’34. It wasn’t until dining, at The Montauk Manor resort on Long Island, while he heard the song “Stormy Weather” sung by Lena Horne, and written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler, that he chose the name for his new boat.

Within weeks of her launch, the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club organized a special match between Stormy and Dorade at the annual Spring Regatta. It was recorded: “At this regatta, an omen of future Seawanhaka competition was indicated in a special match between two great ocean racing yawls, both designed by Olin Stephen and both winners of a Fastnet race. Stormy Weather (Philip Le Boutillier) of Seawanhaka defeated Dorade (Olin and Rod Stephens) by three minutes.”

In 1935, she won both the Newport-Bergen Transatlantic race and the Fastnet race. A remarkable achievement which began an illustrious long and successful racing career.

Known Racing History:

2015 – RORC Freddie Morgan Trophy Winner
2001 – America’s Cup Jubilee – First in Class
1995 – Fasnet Race – First in Class
1954 – Storm Trysail Race – First Overall
1948 – Southern Ocean Racing Conference (SORC) – First Overall
1947 – Bluenose Trophy(Great Lakes) – First Overall
1941 – Southern Ocean Racing Conference (SORC) – First Overall
1937-1941 – Miami-Nassau Winner – Note 1938 Weather – Six Boats Retired – One Sunk
1936 – Newport Bermuda Race – First in Class – Second Overall – Forty-Two Boats Retired Damaged
1935 – Newport-Bergen, Norway Transatlantic Race Winner
1935 – Fastnet Race Winner

Known Restoration History:

2000-2001 – Cantiere Navale dell’Argentario

Provenance (The Wall of Remembrance – The Owners, Crew & Notable Guest):

• Commissioning Owner/Guardian (1934-1936) Philip LeBoutillier, President of the Best & Co. department store, Fifth Avenue, N.Y.
• 1935 Transatlantic Race Skipper: Rod Stephens
• 1935 Transatlantic Race Crew: Philip Le Boutillier, Jr.
• 1935 Transatlantic Race Crew: Everard C. “Ducky” Endt
• 1935 Transatlantic Race Crew: Professor Ken Davidson
• 1935 Transatlantic Race Crew: Edward “Plugety” Foster
• 1935 Transatlantic Race Navigator: Chick Larkin
• 1935 Transatlantic Race Cook: Joe Blagdon
• Owner/Guardian: (1936) General Robert Johnson
• Owner/Guardian: William Labrot
• Owner/Guardian: Fred Temple
• Owner/Guardian: General Trubee Davidson
• Owner/Guardian: (1954) James J. O’Neil, Oyster Bay, N.Y.
• Owner/Guardian: (1983) Paul Adamthwaite, retired British Royal Navy Commander
• Owner/Guardian: Virginia and Christopher Spray, French Riviera (Nice-Cannes)
• Captain: Tarquin Place, Tasmania

Lena Horne – Stormy Weather (1943)