herreshoff 12 1/2

[earling2]

Does anybody out there know what the 12 1/2 design # was?
Does anybody actually have a set of old Herreshoff plans? I'm wondering what the exact wording of the stamp at the (usually) lower right corner said in these original plans. And if there's a signature, and who's it is.

thanks in advance, if anybody knows

[Steve Paskey]

To the best of my knowledge, any *original* drawings from Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. are in the possession of the Cape Cod Shipbuilding Co. (CCSB) and copies aren't available.

Mystic Seaport sells a set of plans that were created by taking offsets and details from a 12-1/2, but the offsets have been blacked out at the request of CCSB.

Someone out there has recently drawn a set of plans with offsets (again, by using measurements from surviving boats), but I'll let him speak for himself if he happens by.

[Thad]

You ask for a signature on the design stamp. You must know that Nat Herreshoff designed boats by carving half models in pine from which he took offsets that gave the full lofted measurements for laying out the building molds. Draftsmen laid down construction, layout, hardware, and sail plans to present Nat's plan for these elements to the mechanics (their term) in the shops. None of these designs were ever done for outside production, nor did the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. ever build to anyone else's design while Nat was actively involved.

[earling2]

Now that you mention it.... you're right. Totally forgot. Hmmmm..... so now the question becomes, does anybody know what it says on the official MIT or whatever plans that Joe Citizen can buy? I'm pretty sure you can build the 12 1/2 if you buy plans

It's not that important. Just a little detail in something I'm writing/.

[esingleman]

The first 12 1/2 was hull #744. and is also the design number.

[esingleman]

Now that you mention it.... you're right. Totally forgot. Hmmmm..... so now the question becomes, does anybody know what it says on the official MIT or whatever plans that Joe Citizen can buy? I'm pretty sure you can build the 12 1/2 if you buy plans

It's not that important. Just a little detail in something I'm writing/.

You can build a 12 1/2, but you'll have to do it without the original offsets, and you won't be able to sell it as a Herreshoff 12 1/2. If you took measurements from an original Herreshoff hull, that would be a way of getting the hull shape. I don't think MIT has the original drawings either, I think they got everything but what CCSB has rights to ( I could be wrong), nevertheless MIT will not sell you the plans with the offsets, as they would get in trouble with CCSB.

And CCSB will not sell anyone the offsets either because they can't let that info out. Right now they can claim that they are the only ones making a 12 1/2 to the original hull shape based on the original molds from the HMC. and they want to keep it that way.

The only plans you can buy are from Mystic Seaport, that were made from measurements taken off of their boat "Nettle". The construction plan on the Mystic plans is good, but I have some major issues with the lines drawings and the resulting hull shape that comes out of these plans.

The only way in my opinion to reproduce a 12 1/2 is to find someone that has one that looks like the hull is in good form, and take your own measurements.

[earling2]

That's great information. Thanks. I wonder how Edey & Duff got their lines, then.
I will use that info, esinglmen, without a doubt. Fill it what I'm doing quite a lot.

[earling2]

man, can't type
that should be "fills in what I'm doing quite a lot"

[Alex Low]

Mystic also has the building mould from Herreshoff that the 12 1/2 came off of in their barn...

that skips the search no?

Alex

[rbgarr]

Artisan Boatworks built one. Perhaps they'd have ideas for lines, etc.: http://www.artisanboatworks.com/

[earling2]

I'm not actually looking to build one. I wanted to know what the plans had stamped on them, for authenticity's sake in something descriptive I'm writing...
As esingleman pointed out, Nat used to build from half-models so any plans were post mortem probably, and were obtained by taking lines off an existing boat
I'll drop artisanboatworks a line and see what their plans looked like
thanks

[Steve Paskey]

I'm not actually looking to build one. I wanted to know what the plans had stamped on them, for authenticity's sake in something descriptive I'm writing...

If that's your purpose, why not contact Cape Cod Ship Building? As I said, they're in possession of any original Herreshoff Mfg. Co. drawings that still exist. They're firm about maintaining whatever rights they have as the sole "authorized" builder of 12-1/2s, but if you're just writing about the design they might be happy to help.

[earling2]

thanks, I might try them