Dennis Conner goes for solo sailing

by Lisa Mylchreest on 19 May 2010 Dennis Conner, the four times winner of the America's Cup, has long been an admirer - and sailor - of classic boats. Now he has a new toy to play with, and one he can handle without crew, once she is restored.

He has just bought the 12m (40ft) gaff rigged Fame (above), a 1910 Long Island schooner. According to some classic yacht enthusiasts, Fame is the 'closest sailing vessel to perfection.'

Dennis has owned the 80-year-old Q boat Cotton Blossom II(below) since 2003. He restored and then shipped her to the Mediterranean in 2006, and entered all the Classic Boat events she could from San Stephanio Italy, to Villefrance, to Antibes, to Cannes and, of course, ST-Tropez.

When not sailing you could see her any day resting at the front dock at the Yacht Club de Monaco.

Now that Dennis has restored this great beauty to racing form and brought her the honor and distinction of victory in the Classic Boat Series, he wishes to use his knowledge and friends to save and restore another boat, the Fame.

For this reason, Dennis is offering to sell Cotton Blossom II to the next owner who can be a proper caretaker for one of the nicest boats in the world.

Fame, BB Crowninshield-designed schooner which the designer built for his own use, has been the winner of many Great Lakes races. She has been sailing Lake Michigan the last 15 years but needs some work - meaning Conner was able to buy her for $17,000 (c £12,000).

He says he hopes to have her sailing this summer, her centenary year, and adds that he wanted "the largest and fastest boat he could handle and take care of alone."

The very easily singlehanded and well-canvassed Fame could prove an exceptional day-sailer and a stiff competitor in San Diego's Ancient Mariners Sailing Society races - that's if Conner doesn't follow his past pattern, and ship her off to the Mediterranean.