Sparkman & Stephens New York

BROKER’S COMMENTS

The Sparkman & Stephens New York 32 always had a hard act to follow the legendary Hereshoff designs but over the years in every type of race, they have exceeded expectations – evolving from the iconic designs of DORADE and STORMY WEATHER, the New York 32s were the expression of a trend with their reduced sail area, easy sections and outstanding sea-keeping.

SIRIUS, after a long and meticulous restoration completed by the Cantiere Navale in Argentario in 2006, has to be the most stunning New York 32 afloat (of the 20 boats built, one was destroyed by fire, the others are all still sailing or being restored).

The boat lacks none of her original New York 32 precious detail, allowing the interior to keep her 1930s ambience; on deck her brass and wood fittings relate also to another time – but the standard of her rebuild allows her to be sailed hard. She is one of the new stars of the Mediterranean Classic circuit and as the ladies of the New York Yacht Club had their way there is enough room below to go cruising in style!

HISTORY

The 1930s were characterised by sailing fever, even with the Great Depression, Americans continued to invest in yachting. The members of the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) wanted to cross oceans and compete in offshore regattas including the Newport to Bermuda – this was impossible in the club’s boat of the time, the NY 30. The ladies also complained about the lack of space below deck; the criticism was “ too much sail to go to sea without a seaman and too little space to accommodate one”.

To replace the NY 30, in 1936 Commodore W.A.W. Stewart organized a competition for the design and construction of the Club’s new boat, calling the best naval architects: John Alder, Luders, Ford & Paine, W J Roue, Belkar & Paine and Sparkman & Stephens. The instructions were a waterline no less than 30 feet, accommodation for 4 guests and one crew and the Scantling Rules of Lloyds.

Olin Stephens was chosen and Henry B. Nevins Shipyard of City Island offered to deliver all the boats within 1 year – on completion of the 20 boats the tooling for the New York 32 was destroyed as established by the NYYC. According to the magazine, The Rudder, “ the club did not want a crowd on the starting line and, above all, if the class were enlarged, the boats could end up in undesirable hands.”

The boats were given sail numbers 1-20. SIRIUS was originally named DOLPHIN and is sail number 19.