A Classic Wooden Herreshoff, Reborn and Under Sail

The Stuart Knockabout is a fiberglass reproduction of the 1932 L. Francis Herreshoff design No. 53. Ben My Chree was the sole wooden boat built to this design and sailed among the islands of Casco Bay for decades.

Ballentine’s Boat Shop took on the production of Stuart Knockabouts and Doughdishes (fiberglass reproduction of the Herreshoff 12 1/2) in 2010 with the closing of Edey and Duff and the retirement of Bill Harding. About the same time, Ben My Chree was placed into storage and awaited restoration.

Last year the work began, saving what could be saved and replacing what couldn’t. She was finished this summer and launched just in time for the Stuart Knockabout Regatta held in July.

Before she was hauled for the season, with a break in the weather, we took Ben sailing. Along with the memory cards full of photos, we managed to catch a little video, too.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JUb4usYd0c