Buzzards Bay vs. Bulls Eye - from HMC Construction Record

[Bob Perkins]

Hi Everyone,

My 12 1/2 is nearly completed in its restoration.
I was looking over the HMC Construction Record and my boat (Hull# 1070)
has notes showing "Bulls eye - Larchmont Class" 

Most of the boats are BB 12 1/2 Footer.

Does anyone know if there is a real difference?  or did it just depend on who was writing in the book that day?
thx
Bob

[Adam]

Many years ago I was told that the reference to a 12.5 as a "Bulls Eye" meant it was Marconi rigged - with Boy's Boat (BB) being the term for the gaff rigged. Though I believe I've seen plenty of examples where this was not true in the record so not sure how true this is. The record can be "difficult" in its consistency with whomever writing in the log at the time taking their own liberties.

It is interesting however that its stated that way in the log being right in the middle of a bunch of BB 12.5's so maybe it was true with yours....

[Bob Perkins]

I did find another "Larchmont Class" note a couple pages earlier...
Wonder what that means...

[HerreshoffHistory]

In 1926 the Larchmont Yacht Club received a fleet of marconi-rigged 12 1/2s whose names all began with "Bull". Their sail insignia was a bull's eye, a large round dot surrounded by a circle. The class was variously called "Bull's Eyes" or "Bullseyes".

"Larchmont Bulls Eye Class.
[#987s] 1, Bull Finch, Larchmont Yacht Club
[#988s] 2, Bull Frog, Larchmont Yacht Club
[#989s] 3, Bull Head, H. L. Maxwell
[#990s] 4, Bull Pup, Alpheus Reybine
[#991s] 5, Bull Dog, Louis F. Bishop
[#1005s] 7 Bull Fish, Peter Jaffee" (Source: Anon. "Racing Numbers Long Island Sound Yacht Racing Association." Rudder, August 1928, p. 103.)

[Adam]

So am I to assume the reference "Bulls Eye" was indeed due to the Marconi Rig? - Or is it likely that any 12.5 going to Larchmont was called a "Bulls Eye". Sounds like Bob's boat may need the Bulls Eye insignia on her sail.

Its interesting to note that the Brook's family 12.5 ("Minx" in the Museum) had the "Bulls Eye" insignia on her sail - thus her name "Target" when under their stewardship. I wonder if this fact narrows down what boat she may really be (we know the plate she has now (1376) was given after Sidney rebuilt her due to damage in the '38 Hurricane - and is not her original hull #).

[Adam]

Following this line of thought I would think that "Minx" would likely really be #1364 or 1369 - assuming her rig was always Marconi, and the mix-up was in the "un-built" boats of year 1937 (hull #'s 1364, 1368, 1369, 1370, 1371, and 1377).

Thoughts?