Another BB 14 - Eastern LI

This boat - built in 2006 - was listed for $36,500 on Yachtworld.  Looks to be very nicely done.  North River 2, of course, is 25 years old and has got some bumps and bruises.  But L Francis Herreshoff included it in his Sensible Cruising Designs collection.  And I have certainly cruised it - seven years on the Hudson - with two trips a year to City Island beginning and end), lots of sailing down to NY harbor from its George Washington Bridge marinas.  Plenty of hours under sail and lots under power pushing back up against a 3 knot ebb - almost all of it diligently recorded in the log books

Pescadotes: Buzzards Bay 12 1/2

My Herreshoff obsession began in 1995 when I first saw a couple of 12 1/2's bobbing in the harbor at Pleasant Point Gut, Cushing.  That led to my purchase of North River - which I was told by Sterling Yachts (now deservedly out of business) was a 12 1/2.  It wasn't.  Close - but not the right measurements.  Excellent boat but no pedigree.


Now, of course, I have North River 2 - a Buzzards Bay 14, designed by L. Francis Herreshoff (no doubt about NR 2's provenance).  I call it a stretch 12 1/1.  14 on the waterline rather than 12 1/2, same 5' 9" beam, same 700+ ballast.
water color by Joe Warren at Pescadotes

Buzzards Bay 14 for sale

Not mine.  But one just like my North River 2  - built at the Boat School, Eastport Maine.  Details HERE

North River 2 - a Buzzards Bay 14

Just cause I don't have any pictures of my boat North River 2  on the site.  And because there should be a place to put pictures of other examples of the design (like this), described in L. Francis Herreshoff's Sensible Cruising Designs.  The basic description is HERE.

Images: 1 and 2 - GWC; #3 - unknown - not my boat - another BB 14

Herreshoff regatta at Oyster Bay

On a misty Saturday morning,  June 28, Dave Seroy and I voyaged on North River 2 from City Island, Bronx to Center Island, Oyster Bay, for a day of racing Herreshoff designs at the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club.    We couldn't match the 16' LWL  Fish class boats, so I was disappointed that the Buzzards Bay 14 didn't come out.  Probably just as well - we got whipped by a bristol condition gaff rigged wood H  12 1/2 sailed by a guy with a Labrador Retreiver for crew.

The Fish Class boats are heirs of the original wood boats designed 90 years ago for the SCYC by the great one - Nathaniel G. Herreshoff.  Called the Seawanhaka Class each boat was named after a different fish.  That yielded the name Fish Class.  But the SCYC boats still carry SC on their sails.

A special thanks is due to Woody Glenn and SCYC for gracious hospitality.

Photos of North River 2 under sail are Copyright 2008 by Wayne Marciano.  Permission for fair use granted only with credit to photographer and display of copyright notice.

North River 2

Desgner: L. Francis Herreshoff

Builder: The Boat School, Eastport, ME (1985)

Model: Buzzards Bay 14

Mahogany plank, oak frame

LWL 14'

LOA 17'

Beam 5' 10"

Draft 2' 6"

Ballast 750 lb. lead

Mast: 21'

Sail area: 145 sf