Category: america’s cup

Sceptre, K 17 the British challenge 1958

Sceptre, sail number k 17, was the Royal Yacht Squadron’s challenger, built in Scotland, designed by David Boyd. launched in April 0f 1958.

Despite her results against Columbia, the American defender, she demonstrated many clever ideas. As is often the case, good ideas are overlooked, regardless of  how good they might be, if the end result is not a winning outcome.
Another example the comes to mind is “Independence” designed in 1901 by B.B. Crowninshield for Thomas W. Lawson. The story is complicated, the point here is that she had many very innovative ideas that were clearly not lost on Nat Herreshoff, as his next design for a defender incorporated these ideas.
Columbia, was better sailed and had better sails
These photographs os “Sceptre” I took in 1975, somewhere along the south coast of England.

America’s Cup 1958

Columbia the first 12 meter built after world war II and the first 12 meter to defend the America’s Cup.

The “J” boat era was brief 1930-1937 and few boats were built. Prior to the J’s the boats were built to the universal rule with fundamentally a waterline length as the only restriction. and in earlier events time allowances were part of the game.
Back to 12 meters, City Island,NY was the home of the greatest boat building yards in the East,rivaling those in Europe. Certainly during the 12 meter years, any syndicate wanted to have their boat built by a City Island boatyard. There was without question a community of skilled craftsman that were attracted there. Additionally, The major naval architects were based in New York, as were the men with the money. It made sense to have easy access to a construction project. If you lived in Greenwich or White Plains, City Island was on the way home.
Sparkman&Stephens dominated the 12 meter years having 5 designs defend between 1958 and 1980. Two of them being two time defenders.(in the history of the America’s cup there have been 3 two time defenders)
Olin and Rod Stephens lived briefly in City Island, Rod working at Nevins Yard, learning the practical aspects of boatbuilding. and Olin’s early designs were built there.
The Sears family committed to build the first 12 meter, once the class was determined for the America’s Cup competition, the first after world war II.
I had the pleasure to sail “Columbia” US 16 her sail number, in the America’s Cup Jubilee in 2001. Henry Sears, the grandson of the original syndicate head, brought his scrap books, a true joy to listen and read a first hand story.
I will continue this thread along with photographs for the entire span of the 12 meter years.
For those of you interested I have a number of books related to these years for sale.



August 28,1851 Cowes, Isle of Wight

The photo is the Yacht America, taken in Newport, RI sometime before world war II. She was probably on her way to the Naval Academy in Annapolis where she met her end. The photo was taken by a friend of the family from a rowboat.

The newspaper article is from September 20, 1851 recounting the race between the “America” and “Titania”

26 years ago in 12 meter history

The New York Yacht Club lost the America’s Cup 26 years ago this September. Change is always troubling for anyone. I have always regarded this event as: the right thing happened for all the wrong reasons.

Change is inevitable, we all know, but all resist nonetheless. This was one of those occasions. It breathed new life into the Cup life.



12 meter prize giving

A rainy day in Newport,for the awarding of prizes for the 12 meter world championship as well as the north american championship. The final day of the” legends” forum. full of recognizable faces of those who have contributed not only to the America’s cup but sailing as a whole.

Next week the twelve meters will sail in North Harbor on the Hudson in New York City, for those who were not able to view them sailing here in Newport.

12 meter world championship

Tomorrow is the first day of racing for the 2009 world championship for 12 meters. Unfortunately there are no boats from outside the United States; in fact all the boats are from Newport. The 12 meter class is an ISAF class and guided by the regulations of ISAF. It is unfortunate that participation is down,it may give the winner a sense of a hollow victory.



Alan Bond Ben Lexen

Recently a posting on Ebay of the deck plan of Courageous reminded me of a past memory. Cowes Week 1975, We had been living in Cowes in an apartment over The Duke of York a pub at the top of the high street. Bob Miller aka Ben Lexen took over our lease. I left for the United States for the Trans-atlantic back to England. Leading up to that however, I spent time with Bob and Jack Knights, another great English sailor.

We went to Speed Week in Weymouth to watch Crossbow and the other rather unique boats try to set speed records across a 500 meter circle.
Upon returning to Cowes, where I sailed Cowes week aboard “Gitana” and the Fastnet on “Guia” Bob Miller and Alan Bond asked me to a meeting. I was being offered the job of building the 1977 challenger for the America’s Cup. I was quizzed on how I envisioned the project and finally the question arose; would I bring the plans of Courageous. I had built her the year before at Minneford’s in City Island and still possessed a set of plans. When I replied no the meeting was over. Many of my suggestions however were used in the building of Australia.