Joy

Herreshoff Watch Hill / Buzzards Bay 15

N. G. Herreshoff

JOY is one of seven Artisan-built Herreshoff Buzzards Bay/Watch Hill 15s, each uniquely tailored. She features modern upgrades including a Torqeedo electric pod drive while preserving the classic lines and sailing character.

Behind the Build

A Classic Evolved

When a Nantucket-based sailor commissioned JOY, he requested a Watch Hill 15 that combined classic aesthetic fidelity with the usability expected of twenty-first-century boating. He sought a vessel that mirrored the admired lines of the class while explicitly requiring an electric propulsion option delivered in time for the sailing season. Although Artisan Boatworks is not a volume production yard, the Buzzards Bay and Watch Hill 15 hull has become its most prolific design. Having built seven of these custom boats—configured variously with centerboards or full keels and gaff or Marconi rigs—Artisan drew upon this extensive lineage to ensure JOY benefited from the cumulative refinements of previous builds.

Making it Happen

Craftsmanship Meets Innovation

Artisan’s extensive experience with the Watch Hill 15 class—including previous builds like Murmur—allowed the team to apply validated structural tweaks and planking techniques to JOY without re-solving basic construction challenges. For this specific commission, a centerboard keel configuration was selected to accommodate the shallow drafts and sandy bottoms of Nantucket. The boat is rigged in a Marconi sloop form, and because the yard has constructed both gaff and Marconi variants on this hull, they were able to optimize mast placement, chainplate spacing, and halyard routing based on proven performance benchmarks. This iterative learning ensures that while JOY is a custom vessel, her sailing characteristics are grounded in a well-documented pedigree of excellence.

Drawing on the lineage of prior H-15 and Watch Hill 15 builds, such as the celebrated Murmur, Artisan Boatworks approached the construction of JOY with a foundation of validated structural techniques. These earlier projects served as a laboratory for perfecting planking methods, mold spacing, and hardware layouts. By relying on this established institutional knowledge, the team could bypass the fundamental challenges of hull construction and focus their energy on the seamless integration of modern systems.

Design and Propulsion

For the waters of Nantucket, characterized by shallow drafts and sandy bottoms, a centerboard keel configuration was the logical choice. JOY carries a Marconi sloop rig, a form consistent with many Watch Hill 15 variants. Because Artisan has previously executed both gaff and Marconi rigs on these hulls, the mast placement, chainplate spacing, and halyard routing were optimized using proven geometry.

The defining innovation of JOY is her Torqeedo electric pod drive. Traditional internal combustion engines or shaft drives are impractical for a Watch Hill 15 because of the exceptionally tight bilge. Artisan addressed this by utilizing an external mounting strategy first pioneered in a previous build. The pod drive leg extends a mere eight and one-third inches below its mounting surface, allowing it to remain protected within the profile of the keel’s deadwood. This system was installed in just four days, supported by a custom mahogany shim and a composite G-10 backing plate bonded through the hull planking.

Systems and Aesthetics

Careful computation of weight distribution ensured that while the boat’s loaded displacement increased to approximately 2,500 pounds, she maintained an even trim. The internal components—including the controller, battery charger, and displays—are tucked away under the side-decks and within the cuddy to protect them from the elements. To the casual observer, the propulsion system is nearly invisible; only a subtle throttle at the helm and a discrete display in the cabin suggest its presence. This arrangement preserves the classic aesthetic while offering the owner a whisper-quiet experience free of fuel, exhaust, or an oily bilge.

Fit-out and Finish

The interior and deck work are tailored to the owner’s specific preferences, from the contours of the coamings to the geometry of the cockpit seating. Artisan leveraged its history with the class to refine the joinery and eliminate maintenance traps by improving drainage and fastener access. Although JOY possesses the silhouette of a 1920s yacht, her skeleton is thoroughly modern, featuring an epoxy backbone and contemporary adhesives. The result is a vessel that balances her heritage with a future-proof construction, standing as a testament to the evolution of the classic yacht.

Details

LOA

24 ft 6 in

LWL

15 ft

Beam

6 ft 8 in – 6 ft 9 in

Draft

2 ft 3 in – 2 ft 6 in (centerboard up)

Sail Area

~330 – 353 sq ft

Displacement

2,200 – 2,432 lbs

Gallery

Features

Details that embody the intention and spirit of the designer

Mastervolt Electric Pod Drive

A self-contained, external pod leg offering up to 2 kW of silent electric propulsion—mounted outside the hull with minimal intrusion and cleverly concealed via structural shimming and composite backing.

True Lineage Hull Design

Classic WH/Herreshoff 15 proportions—fine overhangs, graceful sheer, narrow waterline—maintained despite modern integrations.

Refined Full-Keel Variant

JOY’s full-keel form provides simplicity and structural integrity, avoiding centerboard trunks while preserving balance and character.

Tailored Deck & Interior Craftsmanship

Each joinery choice—benches, transitions, edge details, wood species—reflects Sharer’s vision while adhering to class-appropriate proportions and finish standards.

Marconi Sloop Rig with Performance Details

A Bermudan sloop rig optimized for responsiveness and ease, built with modern spar and line materials beneath a traditional profile.

“MURMUR” a modified Buzzard Bay 15, Designed by Nathanael Herreshof and built by Artisan Boatworks, sails the Penobscot Bay, Camden, Maine

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