Eagle Sailing Traits

[tparsons56]

I am looking at purchasing a 1976 Nowak and Williams Eagle for use on Lake Charlevoix in Michigan.  How are the sailing traits compared to a marconi rig?  Was there anything with this model and vintage that I should be aware of?  Any advise would be greatly apprciated.

[Adam]

Not sure many have experience with the eagle here - You might want to check with these folks - http://herreshoffeagle.com/

[tparsons56]

Will do.  Thanks for the advice.

[Jon Brooks]

The only reports of this hull that I've read are in "Cape Cod Catboats" and refer to the catboat hull only.  Most of the negatives revolved around the motor well not having enough oxygen to maintain combustion.

I'd be really interested to read a comparison between the Eagle the America, and the cat-ketch though.

Jon   

[Adam]

If you follow the link I provided there are some comments from Halsey:

"The Eagle was planned and first built in the early 70s by Nowak & Williams of Bristol, Rhode Island, my home town. Initially, we designed the Herreshoff America catboat that proved to be a sturdy yacht of rather conventional catboat proportions but with a bit more sail than traditionally.

The Eagle hulls came from the same mold, but the rig was very different, having an effective headsail and optional topsail that enhanced performance in light air conditions. As expected, the Eagle proved a much better sailor than the Herreshoff America. I sailed these boats quite a few times. They were popular, but I don’t remember how many were built by Nowak & Williams or the successor companies, Squadron Yachts of Bristol, Rhode Island or Nauset Marine of Orleans, Mass."