practical
were sought that were authentic to Marilee’s
original design. So old growth cypress logs that
were sunken for 150 years in a North Carolina
riverbed were resurrected and sawn for her
interior bulkheads.
The team used distressing techniques and
custom finishes that were available at the time
of her original build, to create a sense of depth
and age to the newly made panels.
Metalwork of bronze and copper was forged,
cast, and fabricated with metallurgy techniques
used over a century ago in Bristol on the USA’s
eastern seaboard, integrating structural and
aesthetic elements.
With the help of interior designer Angela
Thompson, antique linens, leathers, wood and
pewter accents brought additional texture and
warmth to the space. An American flag, used
for the privacy café curtain, is an authentic
45-star flag. Leather drawer handles and locker
pulls were sewn by hand, using old weaving
techniques.
A modern addition came in the form of
hidden LED lights, which were installed to
highlight the design details and emphasise
the interior sight line. The updated lights also
extend the usefulness of the cabins and saloon
well beyond sundown.
Ultimately, the owner felt strongly that
stepping into a classic yacht’s interior should
be comforting, like wearing a well-loved T-shirt
or pair of jeans.{ }
hen looking through all of
the original drawings at MIT’s
Hart Nautical Collections, Kurt
Hasselbalch discovered more #955 plans
for Marilee than he had previously known
existed. In particular, he uncovered a drawing
of a Marconi rig, originally designed for
Marilee’s 1933 refit. To find a Herreshoff-
penned design of a modern rig was an
incredible discovery.
It was decided that it would be possible to
sail Marilee with two different
rigs. Armed with the original
Herreshoff drawings, the team
set out to design a Bermudan
rig that would be as fast and
competitive as her current
setup, maybe even faster.
It also gives the owner
options, with a larger sail
inventory and the advantages
of flexible race ratings.
A unique custom fabrication
was designed to support the
loads at the bow that were
expected with a Bermudan
rig. Blindly notched into the
underside of her bowsprit is
a split bronze tang, ready to accept the new
headstay and tack fitting. This tang is directly
attached to a giant bronze framework that
was carved into the stemhead, with multiple
bolts connecting the deck structure to this
new stem fitting. In less than an hour, the
bowsprit can be removed and the rigging
adjusted to accept the headstay loads of a
Bermudan rig.
At the transom, a similarly hidden provision
was installed to accept a fixed backstayattachment. The new mast was also designed
to plug directly into the existing chainplate
locations. The mast step and partners were
elongated with specific moulds designed to fit
either gaff or Marconi mast.
The construction proved to be a challenge,
explains Todd French of French & Webb:
“Because of the fore and aft forces on this
type of rig, the 84ft [Marconi] mast had a
more elliptical section. Taller and lighter than
the gaff round mast, she was supported by
double sets of spreaders.”
Internal halyards were used, and all mastwall penetrations were reinforced with
Epoxy G-10 Tube. A square boom section
accommodates a loose-footed mainsail.
“Marilee’s mast, hollow in section, was
constructed of eight staves – three pieces
on the front, three on the back, and two
expanded side pieces provide a stiffer fore
and aft section shape,” explains French.
“Skilfully sculpted, these hollow spars appear
like one piece of evenly toned wood where
even the glue joints look like a grain line.”marconi and gaff rigs
W
A historic photograph of Nat Herreshoff
was the inspiration for Marilee’s logoThe original
Herreshoff order
book shows hull #955The deck furniture
was all rebuilt, with
90-year-old antique
glass layered under
new safety glassMarilee is the only NY40 to have had both rigs designed by
Herreshoff. All-bronze hardware was used for authenticityAt the 2001 AmericA’s cup Jubilee, Marilee was
1st on corrected time around the Isle of Wight. She
only lost out on TiebreAk for the overall win after
breaking her boom and recovering an MOB