Racing these keelboats hit the Boothbay region of Maine in the early 1930’s. Many wonderful boats, all of them with short bow and stern overhangs, came from that movement, but one of the most popular was the Boothbay Harbor One Design (BHOD) that was designed in 1938 by Geerd Hendel who, at the time was working as chief draftsman for W. Starling Brgess. (A year earlier, Burgess had designed the America’s Cup defender RANGER.) BITTERSWEET is one of 55 BHOD sloops (many of which are still actively raced) and was built in 1941 by Norman Hodgdon in Boothbay Harbor. But age had finally caught up with her. Planked with cedar on oak, the class always suffered from being too lightly framed, with backbone issues from their narrow fin keels.
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Kirk Leoni says:
My son now owns India, which has held up very well and is still stunning. He was married on board last September, during a downsized Covid wedding. A photo from the wedding is appearing on the cover of Seacoast weddings showing India in all her glory.
Thanks for the article.
Monet Brazier says:
With a restoration such as this what does the next restoration in 30 some years look like?
Norm Russick says:
I grew up sailing on Lake Erie in Cleveland, Ohio in the early 1950s. My grandparents had a one design called the International 21. She was almost identical to the BHOD. The boat was built in the late 40’s. She was cold moulded (Hull #3) but many earlier planked versions were in the fleet back then too. We had a fleet of 20 to 30 of these boats at Mentor Harbor Yacht Club. My grandfather told me the boat was built in Maine ( I believe at Hodgen Bros) and the design was modified slightly to fit the waves of Lake Erie. Does anybody know the history of these boats?
Thanks,
Norm
David Tew says:
Some information about the Boothbay Harbor One Deign and the Great Lakes One Design is included here through a link to the 2017 class newsletter. Maynard Bray of the OCH fonders owned one of the I-21s and might chime in: https://www.bhyc.net/one-design-association
Taran Card says:
If this thread is still open I would be interested to hear whether or not layers of glass were considered for the keel attachment area or for the entire hull.
This was a nice rebuild, especially because the technique lends itself so well to solo work.
jon dunsford says:
I am the new owner of this boat Bittersweet. I am interested to get any and all historical information regarding her and other Boothbay Harbor One designs
regards
jon dunsford
Maynard Bray says:
Hi Jon, There’s much available and I’ll begin gathering what I have as soon as I’m able. Meanwhile, I recommend you contact Alden Reed who knows more about Boothbay Harbor One-designs than anyone. His email is:
aldenxreed(at)gmail(dot)com
Lee Fox says:
Enjoyed reading and seeing pics of the veneering/epoxy process! Bittersweet is now an awesome sailboat that will last for many more years of enjoyment.
William Boulden says:
Having never seen one sail, it would be a joy to see a little video of the boat in action. ;D
David Tew says:
Here’s a short video that includes a red one under sail. See it at about 4:30 in. http://brctv.org/blog/2013/06/06/windjammer-days-antique-boat-parade-2/
Brad Bovee says:
How much weight do you estimate this will add to the boat?
Eric Blake says:
Brad,
The weight added is around 50 to 75 pounds I would guess. The increase in volume by adding 1/4″ to the hull surface I have found makes a boat this size sit pretty much exactly on there original waterlines despite being heavier.
Best, Eric
Tom Bolko says:
Eric. Been trying to locate 1/8 inch veneer to glue up as a console rail. Can you disclose your source for thin veneers to laminate. Thanks . Tom Bolko
Eric Blake says:
Tom,
The boats owner had these particular veneers in his barn. There are many veneer suppliers out there, many of them would not think of 1/8″ stock as veneer at all. Most veneer is sliced to 1/40″ thick so be careful what thickness you are being sold. We typically get our veneer at the boatyard from a company called Americas wood in Washington Maine. I cannot say enough about them, we work very closely on a lot of our big wood orders as well. They deliver to us every Thursday.
Best, Eric
Tom Bolko says:
Absolutely a fine piece of work completed with a great craft. Photography was good I am hoping there is a video of the transformation. Spent my week last summer at WBS in the same shop with John Brooks. Fine work. TB