About Sparkman and Stephens
Sparkman and Stephens
Their designs have won most of the major international yacht races such as the America's Cup, for several decades, including a string of victories in the Fastnet and Sydney to Hobart as well as winning twice the Whitbread Round the World Race by Sayula II in 1974 and Flyer in 1978. S&S has a number of custom yacht design projects as well as being designers for boat builders such as Nautor's Swan, Grand Banks Yachts, and Morris Yachts. With more than 100 units built, the S&S design #1710 also known as Swan 36 became the most utilized design in the history of Sparkman & Stephens.
How They Began: Sparkman & Stephens Inc was formally created on November 11, 1929, with five partners: Drake Sparkman and his younger brother James Sparkman, James Murray, and brothers Olin J. Stephens and Roderick Stephens.The Stephens brothers began their careers as self-taught sailors on Barnstable Bay, Massachusetts. Both entered the marine industry at an early age – Olin apprenticing in yacht design under Philip Rhodes, and Roderick learning shipbuilding at the prominent Nevins Yard in City Island, New York, which would later produce several of his firm's designs. With their father's backing, the 21-year-old Olin and his brother entered into a partnership with the already successful yacht broker Drake Sparkman, and Sparkman & Stephens, Inc. was formed.Months after opening for business, the financial crisis of the Great Depression swept the global market. In spite of this, the Stephens' father ordered a design for a racing yacht from the young firm – a yacht named Dorade. As her first major test, Dorade won the much-publicized 1931 Trans-Atlantic Race. That victory launched the design reputation of Sparkman & Stephens – and set a course for the firm that would last more than half a century.Together Olin and Roderick Stephens formed a team that had a major worldwide influence in yacht design, creating racing and cruising designs that helped to popularize the sport. Since the establishment of Sparkman & Stephens, the firm has completed over 2750 designs and related assignments in the pleasure, commercial and military sectors. The company is organized into two departments, one focused on design, naval architecture and marine engineering and the other handling the brokerage, chartering, and insurance of yachts. www.Dorade.org
Famous Sparkman Stephens Designs
Racing Yachts:
Dorade - LOA 52'-0"; On July 21, 1931, a sailing yacht named Dorade crossed the finish line a full 2 days ahead of the fleet of larger yachts competing in the Transatlantic Yacht Race of that year. This was obviously a major boost for a young company with a fledgling young designer named Olin Stephens, age 23 at the time. The boat was built by the Minneford Yacht Yard of City Island, New York. She was commissioned by Olin's father, Roderick Stephens, Sr. Construction oversight was by Olin's younger brother Rod. Dorade was born to race in the open ocean. The yacht is campigned regularly and performs globally as a highly competitive ocean racer.
Baruna - LOA 72'-0"; This sloop was built by the Quincy Adams Yacht Yard of Massachusetts and launched in 1938. She was destined for California waters. Before going she trounced the fleet in the Bermuda Race of '38 finishing more than 8 hours ahead of the rest of the fleet. Olin J. Stephens acted as navigator.
Orient - LOA 63'-5" Tim Mosely of San Fransisco who would sail her to victory in major West Coast races, starting in 1955. Mosley was the father of the Barient Winch Company and he used Orient for a test bed.
Bolero - LOA 73'-6" ' BOLERO is known on both sides of the Atlantic as a superb ocean racer. She was designed by Sparkman and Stephens, built at the Nevins yard in 1949 and served as the New York Yacht Club’s Flagship vessel in the 1950’s. She has cruised and raced all over the world, and is known to be fast, sea kindly and handsome.
Black Watch ex Edlu - LOA 68'-0" Actually the second Edlu to be built for Rudy Schaefer. (Schaefer Beer Owner) Edlu II was built by Henry B. Nevins of City Island, New York. She is double planked of cedar and mahogany with white oak frames. her original deck was of Port Orford cedar. She was launched in 1938
Americas Cup Yachts
Sparkman Stephens famous race boats made them a favorite for Americas Cup Designs. Intrepid and Courageous were the better known boats, Columbia and Valiant were valid competitors and quick around the race course too. Ted Turner skippered Couragous to the 1977 Amercas Cup victory with Gary Jobson as tactician.