46′ Herreshoff Gaff Cutter (1902)Email This Listing to a Friend

Launched by Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in November of 1902, NELLIE falls in the sweet spot of classic sailing yachts… not too big, not too small. She can be sailed by two for a sunset cruise or raced competitively with a crew of ten. This, combined with the intrinsic beauty of her classic Herreshoff sheer and cutter gaff rig, has contributed to her remarkable longevity.

In 1902 and 03, the Herreshoff Mfg Co built three virtually identical full-keel yachts to the 35 foot waterline racer/cruiser class: AZOR for Malcolm Forbes, TRIVIA for Harold Vanderbilt, and NELLIE for Morton Plant (NELLIE was named after Plant’s wife, Nellie Capron.) In his biography of his father, L. Francis Herreshoff wrote of the trio of 35 ft waterline sloops, “These three were among the nicest all-around sail boats of their size ever built.”

From 2007 to 2010 NELLIE underwent a carefully researched, museum quality, keel-up restoration, and today is in “better than new” condition. This restoration was featured in the 2010 Classic Yacht Symposium at the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol, RI, and is available in digital format for those who would like to see it.

NELLIE’s classical well-appointed interior provides a level of luxurious comfort not seen on pure racing yachts, and her spacious cockpit is as equally suited to silver service dining as it is to sailing. I could go on, but the photos speak for themselves.

Read More