Our paths crossed many times over the years. The obvious omission here is the disastrous design of the 12 meter “Mariner”. The second aluminum 12 meter ever built. I was working at Minneford’s lofting and building “Courageous”. A group of us drove in the evenings to Stevens Institute to take a course instructed by Peter Desaix. Peter was responsible for the analysis of the results of towing models in the tank. He would start each class rubbing his hands with glee stating that Britt had achieved a breakthrough. It turned out to be a huge mistake; on the part of an error of interpretation of the tank results. This almost finished Britt Chance’s career. Looking back, not his fault. The data led him down the wrong path.
“Resolute Salmon” winning the one ton world championship in 1976 held in Marseille, France. In my mind resurrected Britt’s career.
EIGHT BELLS – BRITTON CHANCE, JR.
Britton Chance Jr., lead designer for the successful 1987 and 1988 Stars &
Stripes America’s Cup campaigns, died October 12 at the age of 72 years.
Britt Chance grew up around boats – both sail and power – became seriously
interested in yacht design at 15, trained in the sciences at the University
of Rochester, worked at the towing tank at Stevens Institute, studied
mathematics at Columbia University, worked for Ray Hunt and Ted Hood, and
went on his own with Chance & Company in 1962.
Britt has a diverse design portfolio which ranges from racing shells to
dinghies to multihulls, fast cruisers and offshore racers to power boats,
including the high-tech Flarecraft, as well as Meter and America’s Cup
boats. Indeed, Chance is closely identified with Cup design; Britt was a
lead designer in both the ’87 & ’88 Stars & Stripes campaigns, played a
leading role in the formulation of the IACC Class, and, in the ’92 Defense,
led the joint PACT/Boeing appendage research project for all US Syndicates.
An active rower and sailor, with extensive dinghy, IOR, IMS and 5.5 & 12
Meter experience, Britt was alternate helmsman in the Olympics for the 5.5
Meter and Dragon Classes. He has crewed, or skippered, in major events
including the America’s Cup Trials, One Ton Cup, Admiral’s Cup, 5.5 Meter
Worlds, and offshore in the Bermuda, Fastnet, Middle Sea, and SORC Races.
For a change of pace, he rows competitively.
The Barnegat Bay Sailing Hall of Fame inducted Britt on October 6, 2012 as
one of eight inductees who have distinguished themselves in the sport.