Classic Collision Herreshoff Luxury Meets Rare Bugatti Speed in the Shop

Launched by Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in November of 1902, NELLIE falls in the sweet spot of classic sailing yachts…not too big, not too small. She can be sailed by two for a sunset cruise or raced competitively with a crew of ten. This combined with the intrinsic beauty of her classic Herreshoff sheer and cutter gaff rig have contributed to her remarkable longevity.

In 1902 and 03, the Herreshoff Mfg Co. built three virtually identical full-keel yachts to the 35 foot waterline racer/cruiser class: AZOR for Malcolm Forbes, TRIVIA for Harold Vanderbilt, and NELLIE for Morton Plant (NELLIE was named after Plant’s wife, Nellie Capron). In his biography of his father, L. Francis Herreshoff wrote of the trio of 35 ft waterline sloops, “These three were among the nicest all-around sail boats of their size ever built.”

From 2007 to 2010 NELLIE underwent a carefully researched, museum quality, keel-up restoration, and today is in “better than new” condition. This restoration was featured in the 2010 Classic Yacht Symposium at the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol, RI and is available in digital format for those who would like to see it.

NELLIE’s classical well-appointed interior provides a level of luxurious comfort not seen on pure racing yachts, and her spacious cockpit is equally suited to silver service dining as it is to sailing.

NELLIE is ready for immediate delivery. To learn more please visit NELLIE’s website or call to schedule a showing.

Most associate the Bugatti name with automobiles, but during the German occupation of France Ettore Bugatti purchased a small shipyard northwest of Paris on the Seine river and started building boats. He designed the YOU-YOU in 9, 11, and 13 foot lengths, and it is speculated that only a single prototype of each was built before his death in 1947, along with a cutaway model currently on display at the Schlumpf Museum in Mulhouse, FR.

The smallest of these prototypes was owned for many years by Tom Perkins and kept aboard his classic motor yacht ATLANTIDE, which, under new ownership, is currently undergoing restoration at Royal Huisman in Holland.

Unfortunately, YOU-YOU did not fare well over many years on ATLANTIDE’s upper deck, and her double-planked copper riveted hull planking and backbone structure were deteriorated beyond repair. Our crew has been enlisted to undertake the complete restoration of this priceless artifact, while her original Bugatti 170 cc single cylinder engine is being restored by Leydon Restorations in Lahaska, PA.

An original 11′ YOU-YOU is on display at the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, CA. If anyone knows the whereabouts of other original Bugatti YOU-YOUs, we would be grateful for more

CERCERELLE is one of three Rozinante canoe yawls designed by and commissioned by L. Francis Herreshoff himself and built at the O. Lie Nielsen Boatyard in Rockland. She was launched in 1972, has been in our service program for many years, and sold to a new owner this past winter.

A common problem with mahogany planked hulls is their propensity to break frames, and a typical quick fix is to steam in “sister frames” The problem with sister frames is that they usually break right next to the original break, making the problem worse.

CERCERELLE had her fair share of sister frames, and her new owners decided it was time to make her right. Above is our process for removing sister frames and “healing” the original break with a scarfed in laminated section. The result is minimally invasive, stronger than before, and visually indistinguishable from original.

Does your boat have sister frames? Have a close look and let us know if they’ve broken as well.