Steve, Et Al.... I just picked up the book "New Bedford Yacht Club, a History" By Llewellyn Howland (III) (2002). I'd seen the book around a few times but never was in a position to purchase it - and it's quite hard to find. Interestingly there is a copy at the HMM gift shop (been there for years) but it's not cheap. I always liked the Howland families writings - and use this Llewellyn's "Yachting in America" as my book buying bible so I picked one up. It's written in the same style as Stephens history of the SCYC, and Parkinson's history's of the CCA and NYYC - with year by year accounts. Llewellyn adds the side notes of important boats, people and other items to help explain things a little deeper - similar to what his Uncle Waldo did in his auto bio's ("A life in boats" series).
Anyway, there is quite a bit in here on the Herreshoff's, 12 1/2's, S boats, etc. as the club was a major center of buzzards bay racing - and many of it's members were well established clients of HMCo - not to mention the importance of Padanaram as a yachting "center" in those days. I've only begun to read it but I think you might find this an important resource if you don't already have it.