Shortly after these drawings were published in the March, 1950 issue of The Rudder, I remember watching CARINA sweep past Rockland’s Public Landing, tack, and head off toward open water. Although still in high school, I knew what a good boat looked like when I saw one, and this was a knockout!
Her trunk cabin came later and improved her looks even beyond what I’d seen.
In the 1960s, I discovered CARINA stored in Vinalhaven, and have followed her ever since. One of her owners took her to Massachusetts, but she returned before long (named LITTLE CRESCENT MOON)—back this time to Brooklin where each summer she hangs on a mooring close to our own in Center Harbor. Her owner, Peter Soriano, invited me to try her out, and I did one day. CARINA sails as good as she looks, and for my money is one sweet boat in all respects.
The book Worthy of the Sea that Tom Jackson and I wrote about designer K. Aage Nielsen has more about CARINA and shows her with the trunk cabin which Nielsen drew later and which changed her from an elegant daysailer into a charming pocket cruiser.
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Stephen L. Clark says:
Joel would have said “She’s a nice boat” Being a Texan I say ” Holy ****, what a beautiful boat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Steve Stone says:
As an Austin-ite, you’ll want to check out these two posts:
Ask Her to Dance – The Music & Soul of Off Center Harbor
The Soul Behind Our Videos
Is this Stephen Clark the photographer in Austin with a studio next to Bill Whitliff on W. 6th a block or two West of Lamar many years ago? Wandered through there a few times when I was in Austin for 10 years and probably met you. Small world.
Stephen L. Clark says:
That’s me. As I told Maynard I’m an inland Texas sailor in love with classic East Coast boats. I have a San Antonio client that has a place in Brooklin I know Tom McGuane and am in love with the Joel White LaLa he had built years ago. Was with Witliff this morning. Thanks, Steve
Stephen L. Clark says:
Also when I owned the Waterloo Ice House my main band was Uncle Walt’s Band. Walter Hyatt and Walt Wilkins were friends and wrote Sandy Loam together
Stephen L. Clark says:
Kevin Welch also played my place. Mickey Raphael brought me my Jack Spencer one of my best selling photographers. Wittliff made Barbarosa and Red Headed Stranger, Willie’s first two movies. The list is endless
Steve Stone says:
Very cool, Stephen. If you make it up here, look us up. And vice versa, I try to get there every couple years.
Stephen L. Clark says:
Steve, every Summer I plan to come to the ERR. Then something gets in the way. If my lottery numbers would improve I would have Brion build an Alerion for me and come view the construction and then come for the shakedown sail before shipping her to Austin. Hope to see you there. Steve
Stephen L. Clark says:
Steve, now I read that Billy Joe Shaver and Robert Keen figure in to all of this. Keen played my place many times in the early days. Duvall’s wife Luciana did a documentary on Billy Joe and Jack Spencer shot the cover of the DVD. I could never have imagined that Center Harbor could have so many connections to Austin. Steve
Jay Eugster says:
Simply beautiful !
Charles Zimmermann says:
What was the price of this boat in 1950? Since she is only 25 feet overall, it could not have been extremely expensive. She is being kept in excellent condition – this is terrific. Proof that a ketch rig (not to mention a yawl rig) can work on boats shorter than 40 feet overall – in fact, shorter than 30 feet.
Maynard Bray says:
HI Charles,
Offhand, I don’t have the original cost of Carina, but this information might be in Nielsen’s archives at Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA.
David Tew says:
Or perhaps the Paul Luke yard may have a record. http://www.peluke.com/
Ellery Brown says:
What an inviting cockpit! And that detail of the house top fairing into the coaming is to die for, especially in profile! But doesn’t it compromise that sweet perch, you know… back to bulkhead and feet up on the cockpit seat?
David Tew says:
I grew up behind the Crosby boat yards on Cape Cod. They built the Crosby 21, designed by Nielsen a year earlier than Carina as you mention in your book. She was a smaller, similarly laid out centerboard sloop that bears some resemblance in hull shape to Carina. I always wished I’d had a chance to get a sail aboard one as you have on Carina. Jealous.
David Tew says:
We saw CARINA sail out of Center Harbor last Friday as we passed by. She sails as good as she looks!