FI 12 1/2

[Adam]

Question - I should know, and I certainly can look it up (too lazzzzzy)... Who designed the Modified FI 12 1/2's - Mr. Sid?

[Steve]

Yup ... Mr. Sid.  They showed up on the scene in 1939 (if I recall properly), a year after Nat passed away.  The story I heard is Sidney designed the changes to make the boat even more resistant to capsizing after his dad had an incident in Bermuda.

[Adam]

Thanks Steve - What I thought.... Another question.... Did LFH ever design a boat FOR HMCo? I know he designed some that were built there, but did he ever actually design something for them? Was the Buzzards Bay 14 - which I believe a very early design by him - an attempt at such?

[Steve]

Adam:  Good question.  I know a number (6 if I counted correctly in a quick scan of the database) of HMC-built boats were drawn by LFH, and that the BB14 was not built by HMC.  As to wether he was ever employed by the Company I don't know.  If I can get up to the museum this fall, I will ask around.

[Adam]

I believe he was "employed" right after the war for approx two years - Before he moved to Boston as his "own" man, and then Marblehead. Just not sure what he "did" there.