Captain Nathanael Greene Herreshoff 'new' boat design nearly complete

by Peter K. Sterrett on 1 Feb 2011 Captain Nathanael Greene Herreshoff’s (NGH) impact on the boat-building industry is undisputed, as he designed more than 2,000 boats and developed many innovations that are still in use today. He was one of the most prolific watercraft designers ever, including the still-popular 12½, initially called the Buzzard’s Bay Boys Boat.

Based on that design, NGH was inspired to carve the model of a finely lined hull form to produce an improved 12½ in 1928. In his notebook he described it as 'a pleasure sailing keel boat, to replace the Buzzard’s Bay Boys Boat.' But it was never built in his lifetime and sat unnoticed for nearly 80 years.

Until now. Working in collaboration with Herreshoff Designs and in true Bristol fashion, Dan Shea of Bristol Boat Company is building this long forgotten boat with expert craftsmanship from NGH’s notes, exquisitely fitted and delivered fully found.

To be known as the H-20 Class, these boats now being built are the first to be built to NGH’s design. Hull #1 is nearly complete and NGH’s influence on boat-building history will once again be seen. This new class of recreational and sail-training boats will have greater sailing abilities and a deeper, bigger and drier cockpit than the 121/2 . An electric inboard auxiliary is optional. Principle dimensions are:

· LOA: 19’10'
· LWL: 17’4'
· Beam: 6’ 9.5'
· Draft: 3’1'

'We are pleased to be working with such an exceptional boatbuilder to make my grandfather’s design come to life,' said Halsey Herreshoff, principal in Herreshoff Designs.

Website http://www.herreshoffdesigns.com!website!