Way back in 1903, the renowned American naval architect Nathanael Hereshoff was approached to design a schooner that could compete against the best racers stateside and overseas, as well as cruise. A year later Ingomar (above) was launched, and she went on to become one of the most famous racing schooners ever to grace the water. In fact, Hereshoff himself sailed aboard several times and wrote that she was “a wonderfully good schooner that easily proved to be the fastest of her type.” Ingomar went on to win an astounding 17 races on both sides of the Atlantic in just one season, 12 of them seeing her take first place.
Sadly, while on a private cruise in 1931, Ingomar was lost upon hitting the Frying Pan Shoals, off Cape Fear in North Carolina. But, a thoroughly authentic replica of Ingomar is nearly completed and available for sale—for racing and cruising to your heart’s delight.
Measuring 176’8” (53.88 meters), with a 24’2” (7.37-meter) beam, Ingomar started construction in Holland at Graaf Ship under the guidance of Ed Kastelein, whom sailing aficionados may recall from replica projects like Eleanora and restorations like that of Altair. While Ingomar’s steel hull (below), with a full keel, is finished, and she’s been constructed to both Bureau Veritas and MCA compliance, Kastelein has other re-created sailing superyachts in the works and reportedly wishes to concentrate more fully on them. That’s why Bruce Johnson, a representative of Front Street Shipyard in Maine, now has the listing. (Technically the listing is with Brooklin Boat Yard, which Johnson also represents, but only because Brooklin has a brokerage division. Since Ingomar is made of steel, and Brooklin specializes in wood construction, Front Street Shipyard will do the rest of the work.)
If you acquire Ingomar, you’ll benefit from extensive research already done into her Hereshoff heritage. The megayacht is backed by the discovery of about 160 detailed documents, from original design drawings to construction plans and even photos. There are also letters from Hereshoff and her original captain, Charlie Barr, who wrote to Hereshoff, “Ingomar is as good as a cruising yacht as you will find anywhere.” To the latter point, the original Ingomar had a luxurious interior, so naturally the vision for the re-created Ingomar follows suit. While it has not been started yet—therefore available for you to review and/or enhance as you see fit—it calls for accommodations for eight guests in four staterooms that would make private owners and charter guests alike feel comfortable. Equally important, Ingomar’s galley is intended to cater to both intimate dinners and big dockside parties, and she should be easily handled by a crew of eight. Her project manager under Kastelstein believes that the megayacht will be the “ultimate light-air flyer of the fleet.” Sail area to windward will be 11,528 square feet (1,071 square meters).
For more details on acquiring Ingomar, contact Bruce Johnson or fill out our contact form.
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