The year was 1913. Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in Bristol, Rhode Island launched a sailing yacht so large for her era, it was all the more remarkable. The 109-foot (about 33-meter) Vagrant (below) slipped down the ways, to the design of the renowned Nat Herreshoff. A century later, she’s still sailing, with an owner passionate about preserving her history. He’s taken the schooner to Royal Huisman’s Huisfit division for a lengthy rebuild.
Due to regular maintenance over the decades, the steel hull of Vagrant is intact. The nearly two-year refit and restoration, however, does require a lot of work. Following her masts’ removal, Huisfit is stripping everything off, from the top of her deckhouse to the tip of her bowsprit, and down to her hull paint. (Speaking of her bowsprit, adding its length makes Vagrant 129 feet LOA, or about 39 meters.)
Dykstra Naval Architects and Royal Huisman’s sister company Rondal are re-rigging her with a yankee, staysail, main staysail, and queen fisherman sail inventory. While she’ll look every bit the classic cruiser, Vagrant will benefit from modern manufacturing practices. Aluminum masts will handle inside furling of the queen fisherman and mainsail.
The classic appeal will extend throughout the interior, too. Huisfit is restoring Vagrant’s master and guest staterooms, plus relaxation areas. Royal Huisman’s joinery department is crafting entirely new crew’s quarters, too. In addition, wood will conceal modern machinery such as air conditioning.
Bearing a 24-foot (7-meter) beam, Vagrant should be in (pardon the pun) bristol condition (above) come 2019.
If you’re curious about her history, the Herreshoff Museum in Rhode Island has a good deal of information. The famed financier and avid yachtsman Harold S. Vanderbilt commissioned her. She’s one of a few sailing yachts he christened with the same name. In fact, Vanderbilt commissioned two schooners named Vagrant from Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. He enjoyed both racing and cruising aboard them.
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