The Passing of Olin Stephens

The legendary naval architect, whose designs changed the face of yachting, passed away this past Saturday in Hanover, NH. Stephens celebrated his 100 birthday on April 13th, and was the senior member of the New York Yacht Club.

His work in the yachting community (both in sail and in power) was beyond exceptional; he designed eight America’s Cup winners including the famous Dorade, which lit off the success of the Sparkman & Stephens design firm (see our article “Engineering Tradition“). He retired from the firm in 1978 and moved to Hanover, NH, where he continued his studies of fluid dynamics, and occasional guest lectured in Dartmouth College’s engineering department.

He is survived by his sons, Olin Stephens III and Samuel R. Stephens; his sister, Marite Sheridan; and his grandson, Olin J. Stephens IV. He will be missed by the entire yachting community.

Newport: Sabre 38 Hardtop Express Video

Here's a video of the Sabre 38 Hardtop Express that I shot it Newport. The camera work is shaky, but you should get a good feel for the boat—enjoy:

Newport: Sabre 38 Hardtop Express

The 21,500-pound vessel was launched in Maine earlier this year, and made her public debut in Newport. She sports two standard 380-hp Yanmar 6LY3A-UTP diesels, a ZF 220-A transmission, and four-blade nibral wheels to help propel her through the water. Teleflex hydraulic steering and Bennett trim tabs comprise her steering and trim systems, respectively. A deep-V planning hull with shallow prop pockets combined with a 16-degree deadrise should help her performance, and her 38’6” LOA means you probably won’t have trouble finding room for her at your local marina. You can learn more at Sabre's Web site, and while you're there, check out the new 42 Express—another head-turning Downeast boat.

Newport: Hinckley 37T Picnic Boat

The United States boat-show season is underway. Our first stop: Newport. Here are some first looks at some of the newest boats coming your way:

Hinckley 37T Picnic Boat
The Maine-based builder has updated its trademarked Picnic Boat with the new 37T, giving buyers another fine way to take wicker baskets and tables clothes to their favorite coastal islands. The vessel has a 38’7” LOA, 11’3” beam, and a 2’11” draft thanks to her twin HJ274 Hamilton jet drives. Hinckley estimates that she has a 32-knot top speed and cruises around 28 knots. She holds 220 gallons of fuel and 35 gallons of fresh water.

When Fish Fly

"The fish are jumping, but not in a good way." So explains a fascinating—and frightening—article by Dan Barry in The New York Times. It seems that Asian carp—a highly invasive species of fish—are wreaking havoc on the Illinois River. The local carp population has grown exponentially, which is bad news for the area's native species and for commercial and recreational boaters. You see, the carp perceive boats as predators and respond by flinging their bodies into the air. The result is a terrifying popcorn-effect: scads of carp hurling themselves out of the water and regularly smacking boat operators in the torso and face.

Because the Illinois is part of a series of waterways that connect Lake Michigan to the Gulf of Mexico, there are serious concerns that these dangerous jumpers will invade the Great Lakes. So much so that according to The Times, the Army Corps of Engineers is expanding an underwater electrical barrier it previously built in Romeoville, Illinois. The barrier sends out currents intended to keep the carp (and other species) from making their way to Lake Michigan.