It amazes me how much of an impact NGH's designs have had - even to today’s designers. In the past couple of years I was in search of a "larger" cruising type boat for the family and looked at many a CCA type hull. Unfortunately frozen snot was the only realistic choice for me - and to that end there were several "interesting" designs based on the 12 1/2 that I found.
This boat was in NC - I actually went so far as to send a surveyor to her, and discussed a refit with the original builder - but in the end she had to much core damage for me to undertake such a project....
"Orianna" - which I erroneously call a H-26 - was Built in the early 1980's by Bob Champlain (well known for his Stonington pulling boats) out of CT. It was a one off that he was going to put in production, but found the costs to high. It is a scaled up 12.5 hull with a "goldeneye" bow is how he describes her. She was designed by a local CT NA I believe but the name escapes me. She was a very high quality build - and Bob had some terrific stories about sailing her in MA Bay in some questionable conditions. She was purchased this summer - and my understanding is undergoing the work she needs.
I ended up buying a late Mr. Sid design - the 1961 designed CCSB "Cape Cod Thirty Footer" or "Blue Chip"....Which Jon flat out refuses to sail on - something about Allergies to certain "un-pure" boats
. “Winsome” is a direct scaled up 12.5 with of course the stern changes. I can tell you she sails very well indeed....
