In 1955 from a weaving facility in an old building behind Maddie’s Sail Loft in Marblehead, “Ted” and his father Stedman grew the new venture into a global power house. Hood Sailmakers were the first loft to weave there own sailcloth, revolutionizing the process, and creating sails of unmatched quality, durability, and performance. All the Americas Cup winners from 1958 to 1977 used Hood Sails.
Not satisfied with just sailmaking, innovator “Ted” founded Hood Yachts Systems, where for making sailing easier and safer, he invented the Gemini grooved headstay for racing, and the Seafurl and the Stoway Mast roller reefing systems for cruising.
As a yacht designer, in the late 50s Ted’s first design was his very successful Robin, winning the New York Yacht Clubs Annual Cruise. By the 1980s Ted moved the business to Portsmouth, RI, to and old WW2 navy fuel depot, where the focus became designing and building the “Little Harbor” line of yachts from 38′ to 78′, building over 1,500 yachts to his design, including the 133’ Anakena, and the “Little Harbor” power boat series, pioneering the “express yacht” look.
Ted Hood will be missed by an entire industry. Are thoughts, and prayers to all of Ted’s family, and to the future success of Ted’s nephew Chris Hood, proprietor of CW Hood Yachts.