Sail Number:
Vessel Type: Ketch
LOA: 42′ 0″ / 12.80m – LOD: 42′ 0″ / 12.80m – LWL: 37′ 11″ / 5.46m – Beam: 8′ 1″ / 2.46m – Draft: 5′ 6″ / 1.67m – Ballast: – Displacement: 10,500 lbs / 4762.72 – Sail Area: 562 ft² / 52.21 m² – Yard Number: – Hull material: Fiberglass – Designer: Sidney DeWolfe Herreshoff – Built by: Anchorage Plastics Corp. – Year Built: 1951 – Restored By: Damian McLaughlin Boats – Current Name: Arion – Original Owner: Commodore Verner Reed, IDA Lewis Yacht Club
Historical:
In 1950, Sidney Herreshoff, son of the famous Nathaniel, designed a boat that was built using what was then an innovative new material – plastic resin reinforced with glass fibers – Fiberglass. ARION, at 42′ was to be the first large sailboat ever attempted in this material. Many were skeptical about the suitability of this material in large craft. In order to reduce the loads and strains that were to challenge this vessel, Mr. Herreshoff elected to minimize the hull resistance so that she could be driven with a small rig.
Known Restoration History:
Damian McLaughlin, North Falmouth, Massachusetts. The entire interior and exterior were stripped and ground and sandblasted, and rebuilt. On June 2001 the re-launching took place on her 50th birthday from her first launching. Further information on her rebuild can be found on Damian McLaughlin Boats’ website
The following represents the restoration undertaken by Snediker Yacht Restoration
A major restoration has been completed on ARION, the first fiberglass auxiliary sailing yacht built in the United States. She was designed by Sidney Herreshoff to be built in fiberglass. In spite of the use of such modern material, she was designed by first being half-hull modeled, and her offsets taken on N.G.Herreshoff’s model measuring machine. She was built by Bill Dyer at The Anchorage Inc., in Warren Rhode Island in 1951. Her restoration includes modifications to accommodate family cruising while maintaining racing ability. Elements of the work include hull restoration, a new galley and interior, new systems and engine, a new teak deck house and fabrication of new 1950’s era bronze hardware.