NEITH, 1907 Herreshoff Custom Cruiser, Mystic, CT, $991,000
Historic and absolutely stunning, NEITH is presented in superb condition and continues to grace the waters of New England. She can regularly be seen sailing and actively racing in classic regattas near her original home on Narragansett Bay and in Mystic, Connecticut. She has been lovingly kept and sailed under the care of the same family for over 45 years, and for the past 15 years, meticulously maintained by Snediker Yacht Restoration of Mystic, Connecticut.
Historical Highlights
Named for the Egyptian goddess of the hunt, NEITH is a 53-foot wooden custom cruiser designed by legendary naval architect Nathanel G. Herreshoff, and built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in Bristol, RI, bearing hull number HMCo#665 and sail number 123. More than a century later, she remains a celebrated sailing legend and one of the oldest active racing yachts around.
Originally built as a gentleman’s weekender for Dr. Edward K. Dunham (Herreshoff’s personal physician), NEITH was commissioned in 1907 and originally launched as a twin-headed gaff-rigged sloop. She was later converted to a yawl, still gaff-rigged, in preparation for a transatlantic crossing.
In 1921, NEITH made an historic crossing to England in 21 days - a monumental feat for a yacht of her size, which earned her widespread praise and four consecutive feature articles in Yachting Magazine. In 1946, she was again refitted by Charles Nicholson to a Marconi sloop.
DIMENSIONS
LOA: 52’ 10” (16.10m)
LWL: 38’ 7.5” (11.77 m)
Beam: 10’ 6.5” (3.21m)
Draft: 7’ 6.5” (2.30m)
Displacement: 35,712 lbs (16,199 kg)
Sail area 1,400 sq ft.
CONSTRUCTION/RESTORATION
Her hull is double-planked for exterior and cypress interior, above the waterline; yellow pine below the waterline. The interior ceiling is also cypress. Decking is teak, with varnished teak covering boards, toe rail and king plank. All deck furniture is varnished Honduran mahogany. She sports a flat yellow pine bow sprit, varnished. The exterior finishing is done yearly and presents as a new boat, on schedule, every spring.
During a 1980s restoration, a new interior was built to the original drawings, a task which required tooling new blades to exactly duplicate the original paneling and details. Varnishing, paint and all interior fittings adhere to the original drawings and wood species, cypress raised paneling and mahogany furniture. The cabin sole is teak.
Spars are varnished spruce, turning blocks are varnished lignum vitae, a tropical hardwood. All standing and running rigging is replaced as needed. Custom bronze winches were built specifically for NEITH by Barlow.
Modern gear, from wiring and plumbing to electronics and mechanicals are hidden from view while attention was paid to making them easily accessible. Walking on deck or below, she appears as she did when originally launched.
In the Spring of 2014, Taylor and Snediker Yacht (Now Snediker Yacht Restoration) relaunched NEITH, a Flush Deck Cutter, rather than a comprehensive restoration, this work was the continuation of the ongoing commitment of the family which has owned her for over 30 years. Nearly everything from the sheer planks up was replaced, her sheer line was restored to original specifications, and the strength of the hull was improved with new structural upgrades and replacement of any degraded structure, including the stem and several frame pairs. NEITH was awarded “Best Restoration” at the 2014 IYRS & Museum of Yachting Regatta and “Judges Choice” by the 2014 WoodenBoat show Rendezvous including “Best Restored Sail” award in the 46’ and over category. She was also awarded the “Grudy Insurance BRILLIANT Boat Award” and the Centennial Society Award honoring vessels over 100 years old.
Final Notes
Ready for new owners who will continue to maintain, sail, and enjoy this unique and stunning piece of yachting history, NEITH is currently docked in Mystic and available for viewing by appointment only. Contact Herreshoff Yacht Sales at 401-644-8395.
Disclaimer
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.