The S-Class Sloop, also called the "S-Boat," was designed by Nathaniel G. Herreshoff in 1919 and comprise one of the most significant one-design racing classes of the era. They are revered by their owners for their responsive helm, for their ability to stand up to a breeze, and for their ability to ghost along in light air.  

The S-boat has a five-eighth fractional rig and a powerful sail plan consisting of a self-tending jib, a main and a spinnaker. The 42-foot spruce mast is tapered, hollow, and curved. The running backstays and overhanging boom carry about 426 square feet of sail and provide a thrilling ride.  The cockpit is comfortable and dry, and there is a small cabin for protection from the weather and equipment storage.

The Herreshoff Manufacturing Company built 94 S-Boats; George Lawley & Son built an additional 7 S-boats to Captain Nat’s design.   As is typical of a Herreshoff design, the boats have light scantlings. They are constructed with cedar planking over steamed white oak frames and a bronze-strapped keel. The external lead keel weighs 3350 pounds, giving the boat a stiff ballast ratio of 50.  Today about half of these boats are still sailing and many are actively racing. 

The powerful sail plan and sweet hull combine to create a competitive racer that has been active for over 100 years and is still going strong. There are large fleets in Narragansett Bay, Western Long Island Sound and Buzzards Bay with busy racing schedules and the S-Boats always make a good showing at classic yacht regattas sailing either as one-designs or in mixed handicapped fleets.

Pirate, (HMCo Hull #1121) was built at the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in 1929 for Harold Keith, originally sailing out of Quissett Massachusetts where S-Boats still regularly race. She has sailed in Narragansett Bay since the 1950s. Pirate’s current owner of 25+ years has thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of her ownership be it racing, day-sailing, or maintenance and has been very well-maintained over the years as documented in her most recent (2019) survey which is available upon request and be sure to see the Significant Restoration Work and Equipment Upgrades section of this listing description to the breadth and scope of Pirate’s two major refits.

With new mast built by Frank McCaffery, all new standing rigging (Joe Mello / R&W Ropes / 2019), and a new set of sails in (North / 2019) Pirate performed beautifully in the 2019 S-Boat Centennial Regatta  (second place overall) sailing in both the Larchmont, NY and Narragansett Bay, RI events and grabbed the 1st place S-Boat prize in the 40th Annual IYRS Newport Classic Yacht regatta that same year.

Benefitting from the above-mentioned new equipment upgrades and major refits in 2009 and 2019 Pirate is poised to provide her next owners with many years of trouble free sailing and winning potential out of the race course .

Asking Price: $35,000

Location: Rhode Island