The View from the Helm

I have put together a number of fascinating illustrated talks, which I present at yacht clubs and boat shows. Quite a few people wonder, “How did a kid from the wrong side of the tracks whose parents didn’t know what a yacht was, end up designing million dollar yachts?”

In just over an hour I can answer this question, and bedazzle my audiences with hundreds of photos of gorgeous yachts of my design. All I need is a powerpoint projector, a young person to help me through the inevitable computer glitches setting it up, and expenses reimbursed for myself and my wife, who likes to accompany me. All you need to do is to tell me, do you want me to cover both sail and powerboats- which we designed in almost equal numbers- or just to stick to sail, as they are arguably more beautiful.

I will be away, travelling, this early winter. So far for next year I will be speaking at the Victoria/Shadow Yacht Owners Association in Warsash, England on March 12^th, and at the New York Yacht Club on April 6^th.  If you would like me to talk at your club, just email me and we will find a mutually convenient time.

Here’s another photo. Pretty hard to take a bad photo of this beauty.

Leslie takes Chuck for a sail.

They say never take photos of sailboats from the windward side- makes them look ugly.

Agree?

Here is the new sailplan.

We designed Pentimento back in 2006.  She was our interpretation of what Nat Herreshoff might have done at 25′ – 6″ in length. She was lovely, very fast in light airs as you probably can tell, but her builder insisted on fitting a heavy wood mast and boom that were never right for the boat and compromised her performance in a breeze. Along came a new owner who asked what could be done, and I suggested a carbon fiber mast and more slender boom, as well as removing some of the leech of the mainsail so she could be fitted with a permanent backstay. This is the sort of work that I still love to do, for it will make this boat perfect!

The Paine 25- beautiful but not perfect in 2006.

Who’s trimming that jib? Despite our ineptitude, she sailed better than anyone expected.

We sailed Bella Luna late in the day yesterday, Just a zephyr of a dying breeze. But she made the most of it. She’s lovely, perfectly balanced, and worthy of successors. These derivatives of older designs, skillfully improved with new technology, have a long way to run.

Todd French is justifiably proud of his latest creation.

The long awaited launch was yesterday. She is as close to perfect as any design I have ever had a hand in. She’s much stiffer than a centerboard Alerion and sails like a dream in light airs with a feather-light helm. Thanks, Nat Herreshoff- my part in it was minor.

French & Webb’s Herreshoff Alerion/Sadie adaptation has emerged from the shop.

She’ll be rigged today and we plan to sail her this afternoon. Exciting!