What S-Class....

[Adam]

Had S-6 on her sail - Circa 1920's - 1930's?

[Adam]

This might help....

[Steve]

I 'spose you are trying to id the picture and don't know where it was taken?  A number of S-Boats had sail #6 at one time or another, sometimes only for a year or two.  I would say the best bets woulde be hull #s 835, 910, 915, or 1180.

[Alan]

Based on the photo, this S-6 appears to have a sliding hatch. Hull 910 and Hull 1180 do not have sliding hatches. Hull 835 has a sliding hatch and definitely has had sail #6. Hull #835, originally named Kajee, has been renamed Squaw, and is currently being restored in Newport, RI. http://blog.herreshoffracing.com/
So, this photo may have special relevance to current S boat events. Any info about the origin of the photo or where it was found?

[HerreshoffHistory]

Here are two photos of #835s Kajee. The first one was taken by N. L. Stebbins August 12, 1921 on the Boston North Shore when she was still named Kajee.

The second one, a cropped detail,  was taken by Albert Church and though not identified by name, her sail number and the place the photograph was taken (New Bedford area) identify her as #835s Red Jacket ex Kajee.



Source: Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collections, MIT Museum, Cambridge, Mass., acc. no. 33-036. Also: Historic New England (SPNEA) Collection.



Source: New Bedford Whaling Museum Collection.

[Adam]

It is an original Church...So my assumption is he took this with the other photo of Kajee. Thank you folks...Interesting I never seem to see S's reefed...

[Rowdy78]

I am not sure if the mainsail is actually reefed in that photo. Recently I was told by a fellow S Class sailor that back in the original day, these boats may have had smaller sails used in heavy air. In other words, a scaled down mainsail, rather than a reefed full-size mainsail. I would be interested in learning more about this or seeing any other photos of S boats with smaller than the usual full-size mainsail.

[Adam]

That is interesting and sort of makes sense in that you can't really see any of the sail roll along the boom...nor any other reef lines. Also if you look at the photo HH posted with the "full" sail - there are no reef lines. Wonder if that was common with smaller clases in those days - I seem to recall the same thing in the Star class. I'll look at the photo more closely when I get home.

[Charles Barclay]

From Herreshoff of Bristol by Maynard Bray and Carleton Pinheiro, p. 155

"Although this photograph is from a period later than that covered by this chapter, it serves to show the S-Boat's distinctive profile as well as a heavy weather rig option.  ...Dilemma...and she also was ordered with special storm sails. 

Rather than risk stretching his racing sails by reefing them, Dilemma's owner has had her fitted with a storm trysail and a spitfire jib sewn from heavy canvas and vertically seamed for strength.  With their clews lashed to boom and jib club, these sails can be trimmed with the regular sheets."

A close look shows a set of reef points as well.

[Adam]

There is a drawings of the S in Esterly's "Early one Design Sailboats" from the Goodwins (CCSB). I assume this is from the HMCo originally - and shows two reef points. In contrast the photo, and drawing in the 1937 catalogue do not (nor is a heavy weather set of sails available as an accessory).

[Alan]

I am the Secretary of the Narrganasett Bay S Class fleet and owner of FIREFLY, hull #956. Several of the active boats have reef points, and I know some S boats in the Quissett fleet have reef points. Reef points on a sail are not preferred when racing, although I am not sure it would affect performance much if the sail is otherwise well cut. If conditions demand a reefed sail, racing should be reconsidered, if for no other reason than the cost of a new mast. In the 2010 Museum of Yachting regatta, four S boats raced in a steady 25-30 kt SW wind with no reefs. PIRATE was the only S boat to set a spinnaker. SURPRISE broke her boom. ARGUMENT struggled with a small crew. FIREFLY won the race. In contrast, the 2012 Leukemia Cup Regatta was held in a gusty 25 kt wind. Three S boats (SURPRISE, WISTFUL, SHONA) attempted to race without reefs, and all of them withdrew before the race started because they felt conditions were not safe.

The heavy weather sails depicted on DILEMMA in Herreshoff of Bristol p. 155 shows a vertical seamed batten-less storm sail set above the regular full size sail that remains on the boom in its sailcover. The storm sail has a set of reef points as well. This arrangement makes a lot of sense for crusing in heavy air since it would be difficult to reef the mainsail underway.  Of interest, DILEMMA is actively sailing in the Larchmont fleet.