Length: 15′ 11″
Beam: 5′ 10″
Draft: 2′ 6″
Rig: Marconi Sloop
Designer: N.G.Herreshoff
Construction: Carvel planked, cedar over oak
Builders:
Usual location: Mooring—all equipment on board
Comments: : Joel White, in Wood, Water, and Light, says: “The Herreshoff 12½ is probably the best small boat ever drawn. Only sixteen feet long and twelve and one-half feet on the waterline, it has a large comfortable cockpit that can seat four in regal style for an afternoon sail. The boats are seaworthy, good looking, well built, and long lasting. They seem much bigger than they really are—and very, very safe. One can hardly ask for more than that in a small boat.”
In getting underway, hoist the mainsail before the jib, and take up on the peak halyard until diagonal wrinkles appear, running from peak to tack. The jib halyard should be just tight enough to cause the forestay to go a bit slack. In lowering the sails, drop the jib before the mainsail; it’s an indication of good seamanship and helps prevent the boat’s bow from blowing off downwind after you’ve picked up the mooring. Jib outhaul must be tightened up when sailing, and then slacked off in order to properly furl. Pump, sponge, and oarlocks are stowed in the lazarette.