Fishers Island 23 Class #1225 CRUSADER has launched

[John Hutchison]

October 12, 2011 CRUSADER #1225 was rededicated and sailed for the first time in 20 years.  With over 50 people attending in the cold rain, my wife Mary Jo read a poem she wrote for the occasion and dedicated the boat.  Local TV and newspaper covered the occasion and CRUSADER made front page news on two papers.  The launching went well and we sailed the boat (with old sails) under 15-20k wind.  A few minor issues to resolve (need a few new sheet blocks) but she sails like the thoroughbred that she is.  Very quick and nimble and stands up well to gusts.  We are thrilled with the boat!  The TV station is planning to film under sail.  I'll try to post. 
  If we make it to the Regatta in August please introduce yourself and we'll go for a sail.  The boat will be on our local lake (Pittsburgh area) for a few years until we can move her to bigger water.  Thanks for everyone's help and advice during my 3 1/2 year project...your encouragement helped keep me on track and renewed my spirit to complete the job.
All the best,
John Hutchison
http://s425.photobucket.com/albums/pp337/jehutchisonjr/1932%20Herreshoff%20FI%2023%20Crusader%20restoration/

[Cardinal Joe]

WOW ...... Very Impressed  That is One Sweet Looking Rig !  Congradulation !

[Steve]

John:  You must be justifiably proud.  I sure would be.  If you get any footage of her from the TV station, I would be honored to put it up on this site.

-Steve

[Adam]

Joe said it best. WOW! Congrates...

[John Hutchison]

First sail in 20 years!

[Steve]

Beautiful photos, John

[John Hutchison]

Here she is under reduced sail.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=300071530021618

[Cardinal Joe]

John - You can't buy that feeling ....... NICE 

[Robert (Alerion Sailor)]

That second picture is very colourful. WOW

[Adam]

So I'm in a local gift shop in Scituate, MA this weekend The Welch Company - they carry a lot of local artist/craft work - many (most) with a Nautical theme. Well they are carrying a whole series of draftsman drawings from a local South Coast Marine Draftsman (I think he was out of Tiverton). Stuff is very much like Kathy Bray's work. Anyway his work is 80% Herreshoff's - one that caught my eye was a nice drawing of CRUSADER!