The Herreshoff 12

About the Class
Naval architect Captain Nathanael Greene Herreshoff and his Herreshoff Manufacturing Company were in the business of producing the world's finest yachts from 1863 to 1945. He designed the 12 and a half footer in 1914 for yachtsmen who wanted a training sailboat for their children that would handle the strong wind and steep chop of Buzzards Bay. He built what he called the "Buzzard's Bay Boy's Boat" in his shop in Bristol Bay, Rhode Island until 1939. 

While the Herreshoffs were originally crafted in wood, today most of the Buzzards Yacht club boats are Doughdishes, built to the exact hull dimensions and rig of the wooden Herreshoffs, but constructed of foam, fiberglass and teak. The boat has a 15'10" overall length and 12'6" waterline length. There is a 735-pound lead keel which gives great stability. 

According to the Herreshoff Museum, "This design has long since established itself as one of the foremost examples of yachting genius, for no other type of boat has acquired a more enduring popularity. The mere fact that, in 80 years, no significant modification has been made in the design testifies to its perfection."

Buzzards Fleet Captain: Terry Cronburg - cronburg@sbcglobal.net 

The H Class Association
Karen Manning, Secretary
16 Holly Lane
Mattapoisett, MA 02739

Association Web Site: www.herreshoff12.org/

BYC Racing
Club races for the H12 class are held Saturdays at 2 pm during the summer months, with additional special races on the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends. See the H12 Trophies page for awards for this class. 

Class Championship
The H12 class championship is held annually at various clubs on the Cape on a rotating basis. The Buzzards hosts this regatta every five years.