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10 Aldens Now Grace Sakonnet Harbor

There are now TEN active Aldens sailing and racing in Sakonnet: Augusta, Bachelor Button, Chiquita, Cutty Wow, Elisha, Honey Bee, JAVA, Old Bull, September Song, and Whistler. While nine of these boats are privately owned and raced, the Whistler, owned by SYC, may be sailed for a nominal usage fee by any member who has been cleared to sail her.  Members can also take lessons in Whistler taught by members of the SYC staff. 

In addition, there are often opportunities to crew on Saturday or Wednesday night races (see Race Committee).

To come racing or sailing, or learn more about these beautiful, historically significant boats, contact Mara Shore at mjlshore@gmail.com.



History of the The Sakonnet One-Design
by John G. Alden (1884-1962)

John G. Alden opened his design officed in 1909. By 1932, he was known worldwide in part due to his "Malabar" design's success on the offshore racing scene between 1923 and 1932. John Alden is best known for his fast and seaworthy offshore boats but he designed a broad range of exceptional boats and most of his designs have become true classics. The success continues to this day with the firm that bears his name.

Created as a club "one-design", the Sakonnet was originally designed in 1937 for the Sakonnet Yacht Club in Little Compton, Rhode Island. Having a specific boat designed for a club to use in racing was very popular in the thirties. As pretty to look at as she was to sail, the Sakonnet featured a heavy displacement hull with a deep keel for additional stability, high freeboard for a dry ride, modest sail area and a spacious open cockpit area protected by high coamings and watertight bulkheads fore and aft, providing a very safe daysailer.


The Sakonnet One Design manufacturing data below is provided by Sailboatdata.com.  Interesting to note they show only 10 were built!
Hull Type:  Long Keel Rig Type:  Fractional Sloop
LOA:  18.42' / 5.61m LWL:  14.42' / 4.40m
Beam:  6.20' / 1.89m Listed SA:  183 ft2 / 17 m2
Draft (max.)  3.58' / 1.09m Draft (min.)  
Disp.  1000 lbs./ 454 kgs. Ballast:  700 lbs. / 318 kgs.
Designer:  Alden
Builder:  Casey Boat Building Co. (USA)
Construct.:  Wood Bal. type:  
First Built:  1939 Last Built:   # Built:  10