Wayne Roberts built a 38-foot Herreshoff Leeboard Ketch in New Zealand in the 1980’s, and then sailed that boat for several years with his wife and children throughout the South Pacific.
Who better to ask about the bigger, even more radical design, the GOLDEN BALL.
Below is an audio recording of an interview with Wayne back in about 1993-ish. Can you hear the ember sparking open the concept of Off Center Harbor?
Bob Wallace says:
I know this is an old one but…. The Original LFH Golden ball was built at Cape cod, Mass, usa in 1962 for robert Gibbs who had earlier built the first Meadowlark (Loon) in 1952 or so, same place. Gibbs took her immediatley to west Florida where she mostly stayed. I saw her in the late 89″s(?) up around Key Largo. Later she was donated to a museum at Appalachicola, Fla but she was pretty eaten up by worms and I thnk while she was in a big sort of Tent she was distroyed by a hurricane which swept through there maybe 2020?. Meanwhile a real woodenboat guy, IAN MacColgin had a new Golden Ball built for himself at Pease Bros, Chatham, Mass, a very nice job. unfortunately Ian could finish it completely for health reason, I think, but i understand she is now (2026) almost ready to go at Chatham, Mass. There was also a centerboard version floating around in w. flrida too which looked pretty good. At Whangarai, NZ, there was also a version of L.F H’s “Leeboard Ketch” about 40ft, which looked quite good.
David Tew says:
A new Golden Ball here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bck7JMDn1GW/
Chris Powell says:
How nice to hear Waynes voice again-and his wisdom.