Author: admin

Historical:

John G. Alden on sensing boat speed – Watch the form of the wake as it leaves the lee quarter. Java, an acronym derived from both John and his wife Virginia’s names, was Alden’s last boat, a Sakonnet Harry Towne (1948-49) built boat hull number twenty.

The original design was classified as design number 662 in 1937, the Hurricane of 1938, destroyed the original fleet of three boats, all being built by the Herreshoff yard in Bristol, Rhode Island. In 1938 Alden revised the design number to 694, In 1939 ten Sakonnet One-Designs were built by the Casey Boat Building Company.

The Sakonnet One Design was designed for the Sakonnet Yacht Club, Little Compton, Rhode Island, where John Alden learned how to sail. The Sakonnet featured a heavy displacement hull with a deep keel for additional stability, high freeboard for a dry ride, modest sail area and a spacious open cockpit area protected by high coamings and watertight bulkheads fore and aft, providing a very safe daysailer.

Early Build History:

1954-55 – Harry Towne (acquires the old Herreshoff yard) ten boats built, mahogany planked, scantlings not increased. When planks swelled, ribs split at the turn of the bilge, all boats sister-framed.
1948-40 – Harry Towne (Tiverton, Rhode Island yard lost in Hurricane of 54) – 3 boats built (cedar planked)
1947 – Palmer Scott Yard – 6 boats built
1939 – Casey Boat Building Co., 10 boats built
1937 – Herreshoff Manufacturing Co., Three boats built

Comments

Dick Trask – October 22, 2015

The listed displacement of 1,000 lbs seems low, as the ballast alone weights 700 lbs. and implies a D/LWL of 149 and a SA/D of 29! I sailed a 21′ Herreshoff Fish out of Sakonnet for several summers, so know a bit about the Sakonnets. They were heavy, high sided and deep as befits small boats sailing the edges of the Atlantic Ocean. With only 183 sf of sail, they were under rigged by most standards, and the Fish was faster under most conditions. That said, the Sakonnets came into their own when the wind picked up and could drive to windward against a steep chop in impressive fashion. I suspect that the Sakonnets displacement was circa 2,500 (vs 2,850 for the Fish) which implies a D/LWL of 373 and SA/D of 16. Regards, Dick Trask

Admin – October 22, 2015

Thank you for bringing this to our attention, we have updated our file on the Sakonnet and added additional information. The error was probably do to listing her displacement in kilograms.

Known Racing History:

2013 – Argentario Sailing Week – Classic >12 mt Class Winner
1977 – Middle Sea Race – Winner
1974 – CIM Championship – Winner

Known Restoration History:

2010 – Cantiere Navale Carlini

Historical:

Sagittarius is the sister ship of the second Morning Cloud, and one of the very first IOR boats designed by S&S, with the lines being drawn by the young German Frers.

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

Owner/Guardian: Giorgio Carriero
Owner/Guardian: Thierry and Frederic Lafitte

Historical:

Designed after Bjarne Aas Bermudian 6-Meter, Saga, but reduced in size, and displacement, with a greater beam of 6′ 9″ and with an increased sailplan. Shields commissioned, Bjarne Aas of Fredrikstad, Norway, to develop plans for a one-design version of Saga. Twenty five International One-Designs yachts were delivered from Norway and commenced racing on Long Island Sound.

Since its founding, the International Class has remained committed to the tradition of testing sailing skills in equally equipped yachts. The Class’ extensive one-design rules endeavor to ensure that the hulls, rigs and sails of the racing yachts are near equal as possible. All International owners agree to honor this Class principle.

With 12 fleets in 5 countries and over 150 yachts actively racing, the International One Design was the first class to be recognized by ISAF as a “Classic” One Design Class.

Historical:

In 1912 Nat Herreshoff at age 63 carved a half- model of a daysailer with a new form that inspires to this day.

In 1914 hull number of 732, a further improved Alerion design, was commissioned by E.C. Benedict, a prominent New York City banker and yachtsman. In order to make her less tender and wet in choppy conditions, Sadie was designed with more length, beam, flair, and internal ballast than her predecessor.

HMM founder Halsey Herreshoff described SADIE’s origins as follows: “… After Capt. Nat first sailed ALERION III in the windy water domains of Bermuda, upon his return home, my father asked his father how he liked the new boat. My Dad told me the reply was ‘Fine, but she is awful damn wet, but I’ll fix that.’ He did not actually change ALERION III, but when asked to produce a near sistership, which is the SADIE, now a property of the Museum on display here, he did make significant changes. The underbody of SADIE is nearly identical to that of ALERION, but the bow is drawn out longer by 6in., there is more wave shedding flair forward and the on-deck beam of SADIE was made 4in. more – all these changes to produce the same fine sailing small yacht but making her less wet for the crew sailing in a chop — ‘I’ll fix that.’ …”

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

Owner: (1914-1920) – Elias Cornelius Benedict, Commodore of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, president of the Commercial Acetylene Gas Company, the Marine Engine Company, and along with his brother organized the Gold Exchange Bank.
Owner: (1920-1973) – James Greenway – Cos Cob, CT
Owner: (1973-1992) – Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum St. – Michaels, MD
Owner: (1992-XXXX) – Herreshoff Marine Museum – Bristol, RI

Historical:

British yachtsman, and PR agent Michael Winfield commissioned Olin Stephens to design a 34′ production racer-cruiser, the resulting design was established as a new class in 1968 and quickly achieved great racing success.

One of Mr. Winfield’s first customers was former Conservative Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath. A novice sailor with a keen eye and after seeing one at the 1969 London Boat Show, so impressed with the design he order one. The same year Sir Edward Heath entered and won the 1969 Sydney Hobart race, the second Brit to win this prestigious race in its history. So began the distinguished racing career and dominance on racing podiums throughout the world.

Provenance (The Wall of Remembrance – The Owners, Notable Guest, and Reunion Information):

Owner/Guardian: (1968) Michael Winfield