[L16-usa] A Luders Theory of Evolution

[Sturgis Haskins]

VINTAGE MAINE CLASS TO TRY GLASS BOATS

New Dark Harbor 20's to be Built.

The most recent issue of MAINE Boats, Homes & Harbors features an
interesting article about the 30-foot long Dark Harbor 20's of Islesboro.
This successful local class has been racing since 1934 on this distinctly
upscale island. 19 of the original 21 boats remain at the Tarratine Club and
have been a popular feature of island racing for over 60 years. The original
design came from the boards of Sparkman & Stephens - perhaps with a
conceptual assist from Clinton Crane, an Island summer resident and
successful designer (though he was mostly devoted to his family's  lead
business.)

Shaw Yachts, of Thomaston, Maine, will soon produce new glass Dark Harbor
20s. According the article, the new boats have "a hull, deck, deckhouse and
cockpit built of hand laid fiberglass over a foam core. The canvas-patterned
nonskid decks are also styled to match the decks on the originals. The new
boats will be trimmed in either mahogany or solid teak." The deckhouse and
cockpit seats are glass, but will be built "from a vacuum-bagged veneer."
The spars will be of clear Sitka spruce as specified in the original plans."
Shaw Yachts had previously built a glass version of the gaff-rigged Wianno
Senior Knockabout - a class widely popular on Cape Cod.

Several things might be noted here; while the fleet wishes the advantages of
glass, they are serious about retaining the aesthetic pleasures of wood.- no
small aspect to numbers of sailors. Indeed, as true to the original  Luders,
wooden cabin sides, seats and masts give a defining feature to the design
itself. The impression of quality and visual pleasure is immediate and
memorable.

And Wandering Closer

There is no more stellar example of the successful integration of wood and
glass than the Mississippi Luders acquired by the Reece twins, formerly of
Mount Desert Island. The Elks' Boat Yard, of Bar Harbor, installed a
handsome varnished cabin during the  extensive refurbishing of a very used
fiberglass Luders. The results are stunning. The boat, renamed Andvari, is a
show-stopper. People notice this boat. People talk about this boat. People
want one themselves. They imagine themselves in it. Quality pays.
Importantly, it is true to its original, dated design. There is no
compromise, only improvement.

The Luders class has survived remarkably well. Much of this is due to the
continuing process of re-invention.  Conventional construction was replaced
by molded plywood after the Second World War.  Later, fiberglass became the
fashion and offered new advantages. Successive glass builders attempted to
modernize the deck and cabin design. Appearance became secondary to
competitive demands. Elegance and fidelity to the period design had little
account. The effort to go faster and look contemporary held sway. No Luders
have been launched since the four Bermuda-built boats c1984.

There are new winds blowing now. The rediscovery of beauty of the old wooden
boats has emerged - most notably on Mount Desert Island, Maine. Here a
significant number of the original 1946-1947 fleet remained unsullied,
quietly kept and maintained to perfection. Some had been sold away, but
others had been held on to, perhaps for reasons of sentiment, but mainly
because they were, frankly, very good daysailers. The wealth of the Island's
summer residents insured their preservation. A short season, inside storage
and professional care assisted. As racing had ceased, there was no need for
the latest in equipment. Who needed adjustable travelers? Why bother with
that unwieldy Genoa? Successive classes - Solings and J-24's - came and
left.

The restoration of the old molded  boats has gained new impetus. It is not
cheap. It is not for every one. But some people are serious about it and it
has given new enthusiasm to the class.  An allusion to the golden age of
yachting (1920 & 30s) is not to be discounted. Adding a varnished cabin to
the Reece Luders has brought new possibilities.  Glass hulls, updated for
the modern world, but sporting their showy wood cabins give a new thrust to
the possibilities . Ah, the best now of both worlds.

The success of the Mount Desert Island Luders fleet is unmistakable. Revived
after a hiatus of 30 years, it is now the largest in the Country and has
prompted another on nearby Frenchman's Bay. Here, the vintage wood hulls
compete with later glass hulls. Restoration transcends both types. A few
years ago few considered Luders restoration and the possibility for new
boats was not on the horizon. Now there is exploratory efforts to consider
launching new Luders. 2007 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding
national championship at Bar Harbor. No small occasion. New boats? Sounds
possible,  certainly worth looking into.

Think spiffy!








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