Newport Bermuda Race 2010

Racing to Bermuda on even-numbered years can be many things; a rite of passage the realization of a dream or the continuation of a legacy. Forty-six times before sailors have set course and braved the open ocean on a quest to reach St. David's Light. First sailed in 1906, The Newport Bermuda Race was the first ocean race for amateur sailors and has maintained that spirit throughout the years, with 185 boats competing in 2010.


At Sparkman & Stephens, as has always been the case, emphasis is placed on on-the-water experience to supplement the theoretical knowledge we use every day in the office. The 2010 edition of the Bermuda Race saw four members of the team participate on a wide range of boats. Three brokers, A. J. Evans (six previous races, starting at 1998 at the tender age of seventeen), Kevin Daily (seven previous races, starting in 1996), and Rex Herbert (eighteen previous races, starting in 1976), and one yacht designer, myself, Jason Black (one previous race, 2008) sailed the 635 miles from Newport, Rhode Island through the Gulf Stream to St. David's Light, Bermuda.

Sailing on different boats in different classes, each had their own experience. Based on elapsed time alone Kevin was the first to finish about the 66' Aurora in 71 hours and 7 minutes, A.J. second in 93 hours and 58 minutes about the J-44 Vamp, Rex third sailing on the 63' Sceptre d'Isle after 99 hours and 27 minutes and last in the S&S inter-company competition, I finished aboard the 57' S&S classic, Zwerver, after 106 hours and 25 minutes. On corrected time as scored under ORR, Aurora scored 2nd in class and Vamp tallied a 3rd in class. And while it took us about Zwerver until the wee hours of Wednesday morning to arrive, being greeted by family and friends at the docks of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club made the experience on to remember.

Design 773 - Huntington Class - 26' Sloop

The above image is of the shakedown sail for a 26' sloop, Sparkman & Stephens design #773 (note the snow in the background). We posted a short bit about this design in June (click here to follow the link), and as a follow up we have an original which has been fully restored and is sitting in a barn in Long Island (view listing here). This is one of those particularly special finds in our archives. The plans were penned by Al Mason when he worked with Sparkman & Stephens. The vintage is 1947. Al Mason was without question one of the finest draftsman in the business. Here's a copy of the construction plan which we include for your interest. Check out the lettering, all done free hand.


Here's an article from Yachting magazine circa 1948.

Monaco Yacht Show - 2010

For the 9th consecutive year Sparkman & Stephens will be exhibiting at the Monaco Yacht Show to be held from Wednesday, September 22 - Saturday, September 25 at Port Hercules. Our stand will be where we have been regularly located in the Designers' Gallery on the Quai des Etats-Unis.

Of special note this year we will be co-exhibiting the newly launched 52-meter sailing yacht Nazenin V (see posting June 2010) together with the builder, RMK Yachts. She will be docked on the Jettee Nord (North Jetty).

Please feel free to contact us by phone or email for complimentary tickets.

More on 48' Classic - Design 2760

We have had a number of people asking for more information regarding the Classic 48' sloop we posted on Friday (see below). We have therefore posted here the General Arrangement & Inboard Profile and the Deck Plan & Outboard Profile.

48' Classic - Design No. 2760

In June of 2007 the 56' sailing yacht Anna was launched from the Brooklin Boat Yard of Maine. She is a 56' sloop aesthetically based on the Stormy Weather design (design #27), but below the water she has a modern hull shape, bulb keel and carbon spade rudder. She was constructed using cold-molded wood Epoxy methodology and is a very competitive and successful design.

A lot has been written about Anna in the yachting press and as a result we have received numerous inquiries about this design. However, many felt that at 56' overall she was either too much to handle or too much boat to be affordable. Taking the hint we have developed a smaller version. At 48' she is typical of classic Sparkman & Stephens designs with flush deck, stylish deckhouse and aft cockpit. The interior is quite simple: opposing berths/settees, small galley, head with separate shower. Pipe cots can be added forward of the mast if desired. She can be constructed of fiberglass or wood. The spar package is available in aluminum or carbon fiber.

Please feel free to call or write for study plans and more information.

Length Overall: 47’-10”
Length Waterline: 35’-5”
Beam, Maximum: 12’-0”
Draft: 7’-0”
Displacement, Half Load: 26,300 lbs
Sail Area: 1050 sq. ft.

61' Motoryacht

Here's a classically styled planing motoryacht of 61' overall, design 2418. Reminiscent of Sparkman & Stephens' designed Burgers, she's a head-turner. Powered by twin Yanmars turning conventional props, she is constructed of wood using Epoxy cold-molded construction methods.

Design 146 - Skylark

Skylark, design 146, was built by the Pendleton Yard of Maine and is a further development of a series of Sparkman & Stephens designs: Stormy Weather (design 27), Avanti (design 85) and Sonny (design 94), each an improvement on the previous model. The boat has been fully restored and is currently for sale.

It's a great opportunity to own a beautiful Sparkman & Stephens classic for cruising or classic yacht racing. Follow the link to the brokerage listing: Skylark Listing.

32' Power Cruiser

Here's a beautiful little powerboat, originally designed in 1947. She's design number 764. The original boat was built by Jacobson's Shipyard in Oyster Bay, Long Island and named Vicki. We like the design so much we've modernized it with some up to date interior layouts and we've modeled the boat in 3D for modern construction using computer lofting. The boat is available in numerous powering packages and can be built in fiberglass or cold molded Epoxy wood construction. We think she's a beauty and would grace any harbor. Call or write for details.

Looking for Sailing Yacht Versatile

We are trying to locate the 89' double ended ketch built for Harold S. Vanderbilt in 1950, originally names Versatile. She was built in Boston by the boat builders Simms Bros. She was renamed Windroad, registered Pompano Beach. She is believed to have been purchased by Prince Rainier of Monaco but disappeared around 1974. We have a client who would like to find her for potential purchase. If you know of her whereabouts please contact Bruce Johnson: bjohnson@sparkmanstephens.com Thank you.