90th Anniversary for Sparkman & Stephens Inc

Save the date! June 27-30, 2019

Two weeks before the NY 32 series Designer Series.Org are holding an event in Newport to celebrate Sparkman & Stephens. 

 \'The Designer Rendezvous aims to bring together yacht owners, enthusiasts, and former colleagues for a unique experience each year to honor one designer. \'A portion of revenues goes to our mentoring scholarship to help cultivate the designers of tomorrow.\'

All S&S owners are invited to attend. For further information check this website: http://designerseries.org/

In 2017 the event was held to honour Ted Hood.

NY32s Racing at NYYC

Sparkman & Stephens NY32s racing at NYYC again - https://sparkmanstephens.com/ny32s-nyyc/

July 15th – 20th, 2019

It has been nearly 70 years since the Sparkman & Stephens designed New York 32 One Design has raced as a class in a New York Yacht Club event. Originally built as a fleet of 20 by Nevins in City Island, the class spent more than a decade as a mainstay of the NYYC racing fleet until the boats spread to the Midwest and Europe. Now, as the New York Yacht Club celebrates the 175thanniversary of their founding, the NY32 class has once again been invited to participate in a celebratory regatta at their on-the-water-clubhouse in Newport.

Of the 20 original hulls, there are still more than 15 on the water, and already 7 boats have expressed interest in participating in this event. With only 8 boats needed to constitute a separate start, and multiple NY32s currently listed for sale or available to restore back to their original glory, the prospect of a double-digit fleet is not too farfetched. The NY32 already enjoys close racing with 4 or 5 boats regularly participating in the large and vibrant classics racing scene in Maine, but this has potential to be a once in a lifetime event for classics lovers, S&S enthusiasts, and competitive racers.

The current plan for the regatta is 5 days of racing on Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound, with lively social events and celebrations in Newport.

Castine Classic, Maine, 1-2 August 2018

https://castineclassic.com/

The nineteenth annual Castine Classic Yacht Race to Camden on 2 August 2018, kicking off three days of spectacular racing on Penobscot Bay. For Race Notice, Registration, pictorial History and other information, please refer to our website at www.CastineClassic.com.

On 1 August we will honor some of the world-class sailboat builders from our home waters, including Brooklin Boat Yard, Rockport Marine, Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, Artisan Boatworks and French & Webb, at an exhibition at the Town Dock and a symposium at Marine Maritime Academy. The symposium will be chaired by Gary Jobson.

2018 English Channel Classic Racing

The Plymouth – La Rochelle Revival Race – July 14 – 20.

This companion event to the Classic Channel Regatta is run biennially by the Yacht Club Classique based in La Rochelle in the alternate years to Classic Channel Regatta. It’s a great opportunity for classics to get into their stride in a proper offshore race, and this year the stop-over port on the way to La Rochelle will be Port Louis in the Rade de Lorient.

Every 2 years, this great race revived by Yacht Club Classique, brings together an exceptional fleet of classic yachts to race across the Channel and along the Atlantic coast of France. The first race in 2012 was a great success with 18 boats entered, and that success has continued with the 2014 and 2016 editions with 45 boats entered in the last race.

The start of the 4th edition will be on July 14, 2018 in Plymouth. One of the innovations for the 2018 race is the stopover which will be in Port Louis in the beautiful Rade de Lorient. Everything is planned to make this race unforgettable: an interesting offshore course allowing multiple options, a festive time in Port Louis as part of the celebration of the 400 years of its foundation and, of course ... many social events.

Twenty nine boats (including only five Brits so far – come on guys!) are already pre-registered for the race, which leaves just eleven places still available. So, if you don’t want to miss the boat, do pre-register without delay at http://www.yachtclubclassique.com/sur-l-eau/les-courses/plymouth-rochelle/summury-plr-2018/

Western Approaches - English Channel

Dartmouth Classics Weekend – Friday July 6 - Monday July 9.

In this non-Classic Channel Regatta year, this standalone weekend regatta is being organised by the Royal Dart Yacht Club. For more information and details of how to enter visit the RDYC website http://www.royaldart.co.uk/racing/detail/dartmouth-classics-2018

Falmouth Classics – Friday June 22 – Sunday June 24.

Two hundred and twelve boats entered this ever popular Cornish regatta last year. Full information is at http://www.falmouthclassics.org.uk

Sydney-Hobart race 2017

The race in 2016 had what many considered to be freak conditions of fair weather but this was surpassed in 2017 with a reaching race akin to the Transpac and with few problems caused by currents. In consequence it was a race that favoured the more extreme modern designs. Light winds on a close reach and a swell of only one metre a far cry from the usual extreme conditions encountered. Last year\'s line honours, already exceptional were beaten by a further 4 hours. The 73rd Rolex Sydney Hobart will be remembered primarily for a record breaking run by LDV Comanche and the overall win by one of the sport’s great stalwarts – Matt Allen, owner of Ichi Ban. It will also stay in the memory for the epic downwind conditions experienced on the second and third days, which enabled the planning boats to demonstrate their prowess. Comanche is a 100 Super Maxi.

http://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com/the-yachts/2017/kialoa-ii/

The two big S&S classic boats in the Race could not compete under these conditions. Kialoa II  23m aluminium crossed the line 68th but 23rd Corinthina placing whereas Dorade crossed 77th. There were two more S&S designs: Eve, a Swan 65 crossed 66th and second in the Corinthian category whereas the little S&S34 Komatsu Azurro crossed 92nd.

This small crew of six have notched up over 100 Hobarts. In last year’s race, they sailed Komatsu Azzurro, ‘the ‘little boat that could’, to 13th overall for second in Division 4; won ORCi Division 4 and was  third in the Corinthian Division in downhill conditions not suited to the S&S 34. The year before, almost snatched Sydney Hobart victory from Balance, but lack of breeze on rounding Tasman Island pushed them back to third overall (just six minutes shy of second place), second in Division 4, first in ORCi and Corinthian divisions. Kearns’ first Hobart with her was 2014, with a 33rd overall finish. Retired from the Cabbage Tree Island Race in November after a dust up off the start with the sizeable Eve left her with badly bent stanchions.

They won the 2015 and 2017 Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast races and won Division 4 in 2016. This little miracle rocket, formerly known as Shenandoah II, was found by Kearns near sinking in 2014. Buying her cheaply on his credit card, restored her, adding a Code Zero and a new staysail. The boat was built for Ron White, a past SYC commodore who won Division H of the 50th Hobart (boat was renamed Commonwealth Bank Shenandoah II), with a faster finishing time than the winners of Divisions F and G.

The S&S34 is indeed a timeless design.

The Association 2018 AGM in Norway

Bragdøya - https://www.visitnorway.no/

Here are some details concerning the AGM to be held in Norway in beautiful surroundings. You are encouraged to come.

Imagine a small, secluded island close to the coast of southern Norway. It is quiet and undisturbed in all its natural beauty, that is until we go there for the Sparkman & Stephens Association AGM 2018, 25 – 27 May. The island of Bragdøya offers plenty of space for us, the roomy Kystlagets og Bragdøyas Storstue (Big Room) offers ample space for getting together, several different accommodation types are available and free mooring is offered for those who bring their boats. The chartered ferry will secure easy access to and from the island all through the event (a short 10 minute ride) and there are several routes from your countries to Norway by air, train, automobile and ferry. This is everything we could want for an S&S event, jolly and entertaining as always when S&S members are together, with a twist - little formality, simple pleasures and high on experiences.

There is one \"but\"! Other people have discovered this island and all amenities including accommodation are allocated on a first come, first served basis. So for Aud & Jon-Martin, who have bravely offered to arrange the AGM 2018, it is paramount you enrol early. Actually, right now, so they can provide the island guardians with a reasonable estimate of our requirements! However, to thank you for doing this, you are not bound until 15 March 2018 when payment must be made. So please, go now to http://www.sparkmanstephensuk.info/agm_2018.html, check it out and enrol online, or click on the PDF here with all the information and a hard copy enrolment form for traditional surface mail.

Further details about the programme and practical details will follow later. Go on, you know you want to be there - go for it!

2017 - Laying Up Supper

RNLI COLLEGE

West Quay Road, Poole, BH15 1HZ

Thanks to careful research and planning by Mike & Louise France and Karen Blake we had a fabulous weekend to wrap up the sailing year. Most members arrived Friday afternoon and took part in a very interesting tour of the impressive RNLI College including a tour in the lifeboat simulator where we managed to rescue several survivors after a collision between an oil tanker and a smaller commercial vessel. We were exposed to a very rough sea and limited visibility and some of us were a bit dizzy and unstable on our feet after the experience.

A Free S&S Classic Grp boat - YES REALLY!

Would you like to  be the owner of a Hughs Northstar 500 GRP S&S classic for free? Well Here is your chance. Kenandthegang are offering a boat lying in Alabama [Fly Creek, right next door to Fly Creek marina in Fairhope Alabama, which is on Mobile bay] for free to a loving new owner. He has owned this boat for many many years and wants her to go to a passionate, caring new owner so what better than a member of the Sparkman & Stephens Association?

The boat is a racy 1/4 tonner built in canada between i believe 1974 and 1976. Details may be found here http://sparkmanstephens.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/design-2135-northstart-500.html as well as in the PDF attached below. The blogspot has some owners\'s comments on their boats which they seem delighted with hanging onto them for a long time.

LOA 25\'   LWL 19\' and Beam 9\' Draft 5\' Displacement 4500lbs Sail Area 289 sq.ft  Design 2135. As you can see she is a roomy little vessel. The Model was also known as the Blue Bird 25 and was quite cutting edge at the time. Boats in decent condition go for $7500 to $10,000

The owner writes: The boat does have good sails, no furling jib but a 150% genoa jib, 100%  jib, very stout 35% storm jib, hige asymmetrical jib, light wind spinnacker with pole and gear, and good main. Most of the electronics are out of date. The inverter took a lightning hit and no longer works. The wind generator works but is not mounted on the pole due to hurricsnes. The pole is oversized dia aluminum to prevent noise. The solar panel works. The house batteries are old and dont work. The water maker worked great last time i used it several years ago, and i did pickle it. The atomic four engine has a rusted out oil pan...45 years of sitting 1/4 from the bilge will do that. The sail o mat wind vane works beautifly. The simpson Lawrence tiger model manual anchor windless works. All 5 lewmar winches work. All running blocks and gear including the reefing gear work. There are four linden block snatch blocks and several more snatch blocks. One halyard needs replacing. The mainsheet tracks and car were replaced with ronstan ball bearing travelers long ago, it works well. The rudder and tiller are fine.  She has four or five anchors with rode, including two bruce anchors with chain, one smaller bruce in a bow roller, one big one with heavy chain below deck. One small ss danforth is mounted on the stern rail. Some interior lights do not work...the same lightning that got the inverter. 

She is FREE folks. Applicant please get in touch with Patrick Matthiesen sands@matthiesengallery.com

Summer Classic yacht racing, Newport and the S&S Mitch Gibbons Neff Cup

Fidelio

Chuck Townsend’s Fidelio won the Sparkman & Stephens Association award and Mitch Gibbons Neff Cup this year. Other participating S&S boats were Courageous, Odyssey and Sonny. Fidelio is design 1188. 13 yachts were built to this design worldwide but mainly at Matthiessen & Paulsen in Germany in 1956. The plans were again used later for Aventura #1198 and derive closely from Finesterre #1054. Fidelio had her keel replaced by Joel White in 2000 and has featured in Yachts and Yachting and Sail magazines as her owner keeps her in meticulous condition.

Summer Racing Results on the US East Coast

SANTANA

Sail Martha’s Vineyard Regatta, July 13 – 15, 2017

SANTANA and MAH JONG, fresh from stunning refits, mixed it up with seasoned classics SONNY and GENTIAN. Over the three days of competition S&S Designs proved stalwart and speedy through the extremely variable weather which saw waterspouts, gusty conditions, and even multiple dismastings!! When all was said and done, the omnipresent Wendy Schmidt came away victorious in SANTANA, and SONNY and GENTIAN filled out the podium.

Camden Classics Cup, July 27-29, 2017

S&S designs fared well at the Camden Classics Cup at the end of July. MERMAID placed 1st in the Classic Division, while ORIOLE placed 2nd the the Spirit of Tradition Division.

Eggemoggin Reach Regatta & Feeder Races, August 3-5, 2017

The Eggemoggin Reach Regatta was the culmination of the Maine Wooden Boat Series. The overall winner for the series was SIREN who out performed all of her S&S sisters over three events. Sailing on a characteristically foggy Saturday, the 2017 ERR boasted tight competition between over 100 boats of all designs and styles, and was capped off by a warm celebration at the Wooden Boat School in Brooklin, ME.

Nantucket Race Week & Opera House Cup, August 12 – 20, 2017

Nantucket Race Week was a barn burner for Sparkman & Stephens teams, with classic and modern designs showing their speed over 3 days of tight racing in Nantucket Sound. First up were two days of Windward Leeward racing in fresh to frightening conditions which saw S&S teams on top of the podium with 4 races completed. 12 Metre COLUMBIA won the 12 Metre/Classics A fleet while NY32 SIREN continued her winning ways after sweeping the Maine classic regatta series to take the win in this event for Classics B, while SONNY and SANTANA rounded out the podium. Sailed by a crew of 3, but flying her spinnaker unperturbed in gusts of 25 on Friday and 20 on Saturday, ORIOLE missed first in the PHRF class by 2 seconds in a winner-take-all match with her rival in the last race of the regatta.

Showing fine form going into the “big dance” for the Opera House Cup, S&S teams once again showed that they are the ones to beat. 12 Metre VALIANT was the big winner here, winning the Day Racers division of the Opera House Cup while other S&S designs BRILLIANT and SIREN showed the way home in the schooner and vintage Corinthian divisions.

Recognizing his hard work in winning his class in the Opera House Cup, Peter Cassidy and SIREN won the Overall Panerai Performance Award, while 12M COLUMBIA took home the newly inaugurated S&S Performance Award for the best combined overall performance by an S&S design over Nantucket Race Week and The Opera House Cup.

Panerai Herreshoff Classic Yacht Regatta & Panerai Newport Classic Yacht Regatta, August 25-26, 2017

S&S designs were rewarded for a season of tight sailing capped off on Narragansett Bay in the 38th Annual Panerai Newport Classic Yacht Regatta. Overall winners of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Official North American Challenge were SONNY (recently sold by the S&S brokerage team) who placed first in the Vintage Division, while the 12 Metre VALIANT took first place in the Grand Prix Division.

Report of the 2017 Association AGM and Meeting, Lymington

In the attached PDF you may read about the successful events of the 2017 AGM and Meeting in Lymington, UK earlier this summer.