New York 40 “Marilee” Specifications:
LOA: 59′ 0″ / 17.98m
LWL: 40′ 0″ / 12.19m
Beam: 14′ 6″ / 4.41m
Draft: 8′ 2″ / 2.48m
Original Rig: Sloop
Hull Number: 955
Designer: N.G. Herreshoff
Original Owner: Edward I. Cudahy
Built: 1925
Original Price: $4,200
Boat Location: New Bedford, MA
Current Name: Marilee
Current Owner: Tim Rutter (2014)
Sail Number:
Known Racing History:
MARILEE one of the famous Herreshoff New York Yacht Club 40’s known as the “Fighting Forties.” Casper Whitney, in the August 1901 issue of Outing magazine referred to the New York Yacht Club 40’s as having “that Herreshoff characteristic of passing unperturbed through agitated waters.” Edwin J. Schoettle described the New York 40’s as “excellent, heavy-weather boats, having an ability to withstand all kinds of rough handling, both by men and weather.” Mr. Schoettle further commented, “I have been told that a 40 has never been seen reefed.”
MARILEE is one of only four remaining examples of the New York Yacht Club 40 class, the others being ROWDY, TYPHOON (ex-MAISIE) and RUGOSA. While the main body of the class was built in 1916, MARILEE and RUGOSA were built later, with MARILEE’s launching in 1926. MARILEE was converted to a yawl rig according to Herreshoff drawings, but retains a considerable number of original details, including much of her deck joinerwork, interior panelling, and deck hardware, including her valuable Herreshoff bronze anchor windlass on the fore deck. During the 1960’s MARILEE’s hull was fiberglassed over as a result of the inclination during that period to believing such was a panacea for the up keep on a wooden boat.
As a seventeen year old, I spent the summer of 1959 as a paid deck hand, when Marilee was owned By Thomas B. Sutton. She was moored at the Larchmont (sp) Yacht Club. Mr. Sutton was a member of not only the club, but also the New York Yacht Club and the Edgartown Yachtclub. Marilee was riged as a yawl at this time, stiff, with a fine turn of speed, usually with a crew of 12-14. The following year, she was fiber glassed, but I crewed on another boat. I did see her in Edgartown the summer of 1960 and her LOW had decreased a foot or so as the fiberglass on the hull kept water from being absorbed. Later in life, I went on to have my own sailboat, sailing The San Francisco Bay.
I, too, sailed on the Marilee when I was 17. A year after Rollin Smith did. I guess I took his place. Mr Sutton hired me as deck hand in the spring of 1960 when Marilee was still in winter storage at my dad’s boatyard in Stamford, CT. (Lindstrom’s Boatyard). After she was launched and the mast’s were steeped and rigged, we made our way to Larchmont Yacht Club were we picked up a crew and participated in the yacht club’s race week. We sailed up Long Island Sound to Port Jeff, then on to Block Island, Newport Ri and finally Block Island. A great way for a 17 year old to spend the summer. A very memorable summer.
Hello,
I have some updated information about NY40 Marilee:
Marilee is currently undergoing a two-part refit at French and Webb in Belfast, Maine. She will be racing this coming summer in the New England classic circuit before returning to Belfast, Maine for the second part of her refit. More information on her history, upcoming events and racing results, as well as recent images can be found at http://www.NY40Marilee.com
Follow the current refit at http://www.ny40marilee.tumblr.com
Thank you!
Thanks Camille, we have word out, and hopefully we will post Marilee’s refit on our pages soon!
Marilee has undergone an amazing transformation. I had the grand opportunity and privilege to sail aboard Marilee in the early 1970s when she was a yawl owned by Alvin Bicker. The rule was that if one wanted a spot on crew, work on the yacht when it was on the hard during winter was a requirement. Thank goodness for the coal stove on cold days. I was with the skipper when he picked up a new set of keel bolts from a foundry in New York City. We also installed a much larger water tank and fuel tank. In the spring I developed a very close relationship with Zip-Strip, Z-Spar Varnish, and linseed oil on my back in the lazarette. The high point of my time on the yacht was being at the helm for our sail from Port Jefferson, LI to Block Island at night. I was alone on deck. The skipper checked on me about every three hours. The flashing red at the harbor was visible when I surrendered the wheel. It was good to learn how to hold a course. Those were sweet days. I have since earned ASA certifications and sailed out of New York and Berkeley. I am seriously considering the Clipper. Is is good to see Marilee as a delightful, bright, and beautiful restoration. I am still convinced that boats are living things and they appreciate our care and devotion.
Typhoon (ex-Maisie) was grounded in a northeaster in 1958 at Hereford Inlet, just north of Cape May NJ. She broke up and the wreckage was towed to the Cape May Coast Guard training facility. All aboard were rescued by the CG in a 36′ Roll-Over surf boat.
I too sailed and worked aboard Marilee as a teenager in the early to mid 90’s when the boat was owned by Alvin Bicker. Al and his wife Judy were my neighbors in Port Jefferson and our families were extremely close. Marilee was used for in shore charters out of Port Jefferson and I worked for “Uncle Al” doing maintenance and crewing on the charters. This is the first boat I was ever on and started my love for boating and salt water that has led me to a career in boat repair. I currently own the only on water service and repair facility on Port Jefferson harbor. We are a full service boat yard and offer all aspects of marine repair for all makes and models of power & sail boats. The Marilee was an incredible boat to work on and sail and I have tried to keep up with her over the years.