PRICE: $ 90,000.00
Dimensions
LOA: 20 ft 9 in
LWL: 16 ft
Beam: 7 ft 1-1/2 in
Draft: 3 ft 1 in
Displacement: 2,850 lbs
Sails, Canvas, Seating and Hardware
Sperry sails
Recent new standing rigging
Recent new cockpit seats
Reineck bronze hardware
BLUE is an excellent example of the artistry and quality synonymous with the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. Because of these virtues, BLUE has survived for at least a century; first due to the care of her builders and the grade of her construction materials and second to her provenance encouraging later owners to see through a full restoration.
First boats of the class were delivered to the Sewanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club (SCYC) for the 1916 season. The Herreshoff Fish Class is a continued development of the iconic H12 designed in 1914 for the Beverly Yacht Club. Chosen for it's safety, comfort, and ability in all weather, the 12's lines were stretched into a waterline of 16' (20'9” LOA) with a noticeable increase in overhang forward and small cuddy reaching past the mast. Intended for sailing in the relatively calmer breezes of Long Island when compared to Buzzards Bay, the Fish's sail plan was also given a bit more canvas relative to her smaller sister.
Between the years of 1916 and 1917, HMCo delivered 26 Fish Class to the SCYC. Each of these boats were gaff rigged, trimmed in oak, and fit with a varnish toe rail only; forgoing the standard molded sheer in efforts of cutting overall costs. In 1925, the Warwick Country Club- just across Narragansett Bay from the Herreshoff yard in Bristol- purchased 3 new Fish with 6 more joining the fleet in the following year. These 9 boats strayed from the Sewanhaka fleet apperance with the more recognizable molded sheer. Along with the additional varnish, the gaff sail plan was replaced with a modern Marconi rig and instead of carrying the names of fish, the Warwick fleet was named after popular cartoons of the time.
Over time, these fleets lost popularity and began to scatter around New England. The Warwick fleet was soon replaced by the Atlantic class and it's fish migrated to Cold Spring Harbor, NY. Many of the gaff rigged Fish boats landed in Mattapoisett, MA near the north end of Buzzards Bay in the mid 1920s. What was not lost to changing tastes, was lost in the hurricane of 1938.
At some point, BLUE's original builders plate was lost and her hull number with it. However, with her molded sheer, Marconi rig, and oak trim (all history suggesting these characteristic are original to her construction), BLUE was built for the Warwick club in the 1920s. Over the decades, BLUE is found to have been sailing in Cold Springs Harbor, Rhode Island, the Chesapeake, and Nantuck
Under new ownership in 2004, BLUE- then named WANDA- underwent a complete restoration by MP&G of Connecticut. The work was completed thoughtfully and to the highest standard. Since her relaunch in 2005, BLUE has benefited from being under the stewardship of experienced owners and professionally maintained. In 2018, BLUE was brought back to Buzzards Bay and has remained in the care of Ballentine's Boat Shop each off-season. Apart from the standard yearly maintenance, BLUE has been sensibly updated while keeping true to her original character. Recent projects include, new Sperry sails, new standing rigging, new cockpit seats, and Reineck bronze hardware.
Just as like Herreshoff 12 1/2, the larger Fish design is a nearly perfect combination of beauty and capability. The hull moves easy in light air, but still remains on her feet as the weather builds. Captain Nat artfully ran the line between safety and performance knowing the class needed to fulfill both roles in a yacht club fleet. More than 100 years later, these attributes are still highly sought after as the ideal daysailer and few have be able to do so better than the Fish.
She is currently at Ballentine's Boat Shop in Cataumet, MA, and available to be seen by appointment. Please contact Amy or Matt at via Email for more information about this listing or to schedule an appointment for viewing. Or call for Amy or Matt at 508-563-2800.
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