Infanta
I had always hankered after a yawl. Though not a particularly efficient racing rig, and attracting a less competitive IRC rating, it is undoubtedly an attractive looking rig, and has great flexibility for short handed cruising. Having become Philip Rhodes “fans” following the ownership of Undina and Josephine, two Rhodes sloops with big cockpits, wide side decks and beamier than many British yachts built around the same time, when we saw Infanta for sale in Chatham Massachusetts, she definitely required our inspection.
We felt at home with her immediately, though she had that air of just teetering on the edge going down hill fast, having been maintained to the bare minimum whilst for sale for two years. All the systems were very dated and past their best she had, over the previous fifteen years, undergone substantial refit including engine, new decks and mainmast, so she was very sound.
We shipped her to the UK in early 2007, sailed her that summer (finding out what was working and what was falling off) and in the winter of 07/08 have carried out all necessary refit and renewal.
History of the Name INFANTA
Infanta was commissioned by Houlder Hudgins, fleet captain of the Indian Harbour Y.C., Connecticut. She was named Infanta after the Spanish flagship of the Havana fleet. An “infanta” is a Spanish princess who will not accede to the throne. The admiral of the original battleship "INFANTA" was good friends with the owner's father.
The story goes that on the night before going into battle during the Spanish American War, the admiral gave the ship's coat of arms to his friend. He also gave his friend, who was a budding news correspondent, information relating to the battle that would sink the battleship "INFANTA" on the following day. This launched the correspondent's career and recognition as a reporter. When his son had a yacht built, Infanta would be the name. So far not much is known of her history for the
first 40 years.
Recent History
Apparently in the 1980’s she was acquired in a very dilapidated state having been left ashore for some time. This owner did a lot of work including new keel bolts, floors, reframing with laminated frames, refastening, rebuilding the forward coach-roof, new hull ceiling and cabin sole.
In 1991 she came into the ownership of the Pease Classic Charter Company Inc., comprising a Chatham boat yard called Pease Boat Works and The .................family, who seem to have shared the task of looking after Infanta for seventeen years, during which time there has been continued renewal and improvement, have added to the status of this fine yacht.
She was sailed and raced enthusiastically out of Chatham, often with a crew of youngsters. Thus she is held in fond memory by many of the local Chatham residents who grew up sailing on her.
In 2005 Mr ......... died, and the arrangement with Pease Boat Yard came to an end.
Recent Race Awards
1993 Best of Sail Restoration Award: Museum of Yachting, Newport, Rhode Island
1993 First Place: Sails Around the Cape (new course record)
1993 First Place Class "G": Nantucket - Hyannis Figawi Race
Past Winner: Newport Classic Yacht Regatta
2000 First Place: Nantucket - Hyannis Figawi Race
2000 Best of Racing Class: Nantucket - Hyannis Figawi Race
2001 First Place: Nantucket - Hyannis Figawi Race
YACHT DESCRIPTION
| Owner: | Tim and Josephine Blackman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Designer: | Phillip Rhodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class: | One Off | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Designed: | 1946 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Built: | 1947 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Builder: | Kretzer Boatworks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| LOD/WL Ratio: | 1.47 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Displacement: | 14 tonnes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thames Measurement: | Not Known | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hull Material: | Mahogany | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hull Construction: | Carvel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hull Frames: | Oak | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rudder: | Keel Hung | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sail Material: | Dacron | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deck & Superstructure: | Teak | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Superstructure Profile: | Coachroof and dog | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interior: | Fully Fitted/cruising | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steering: | Wheel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transom: | Aft Sloping | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rig: | Bermudan Yawl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engine Make: | Westerbeke 42B | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engine HP: | 42 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engine Mounted: | Inboard | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Propeller: | Fixed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Propeller Blades: | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mast Material: | Sitka Spruce | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mast Configuration: | Masthead with double spreaders spreaders | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Keel Configuration: | Long | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Keel Material: | Lead | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
