Miss August: The Stuart
Knockabout
 I
decided it would be fitting to follow the Herreshoff 12 ˝ with
the Stuart Knockabout as Miss August. The H12 was called “The
Boys Boat” and the Stuart (SK) could be called “The Gentleman’s
(or Lady’s) Boat” as it has become quite popular amongst the H12
sailors who want to graduate to something with a little more
size, speed, and excitement.
The history
of the Stuart is an interesting one. While the H12 was
instantaneously prolific, with 19 initial orders, the Stuart or
“Design 51” was originally only completed once, with only one
sister ship with a full keel modification build shortly after.
Design 51 was commissioned by Willoughby Stuart who had asked L.
Francis Herreshoff to design something that was fun and easy to
sail, and would be good on the rocky coast of Maine where the
boat was to be kept. The long, agile, keel centerboard boat fit
the bill perfectly and went to an island in Maine where she
remained with the family for years. The design was isolated and
not duplicated until that original boat, “Bean Mo Chroi” (BEN),
was discovered by Bill Harding in a shed at a boatyard near
Gloucester. Having built many of the H12s out of fiberglass
(Doughdish, Inc.), he was inspired to do the same with “BEN”.
From her lines he built the mold for the Stuart Knockabout and
named them after the man who commissioned the design.
Design 51 had been dormant for over 50 years when the Stuart
Knockabout went into production. Currently the newest to that
fleet, hull #76, POLAR EXPRESS, is receiving finishing touches
on her varnish, and BBS will launch her next week. Ballentine's
Boat Shop now maintains 13 of these boats (and we actually own
one too). Other Stuarts have gone far and wide. A couple have
been outfitted and rigged to be carried aboard large yachts that
cruise around the world. Others are gracing harbors in Florida,
Maryland, Maine, Vermont, Mississippi, Michigan, Texas and even
a lake in Montana. The new owner in Montana sums the Stuart up
beautifully in an email he wrote to us:
Pleased to report that… I launched the
Knockabout at Flathead Lake on Fri May 28. Had to wear long
johns and much warm gear as we did our first sail – about 27
miles North to our place near Somers Bay….– [W]hat a delight
to sail this boat. Every day [we are] convinced we made the
right choice for ourselves on this lake. Glad she is no
smaller as we had quite the weather experience as we sailed
South to the harbor and slip where we keep her. Buried the
port winch in puffs as we fought up wind close hauled for
the same 20 + miles and had the bilge pump active. We have
sailed her about 90 miles and five days so far.
Also glad she is no
bigger. She is definitely a head turner. Even power boats
come by to have a closer look and there is no peace from the
sailors. Arguably the prettiest boat in our harbor w/ some
competition from a Hans Christian 33T which is a whole
different thing…
Click here to see
Miss August's full profile on Facebook.
If you have any interest in the Stuart Knockabout, contact Amy
to look at what is available in the used market. |
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We finished building our
new work boat: The Ben Garvey Skiff
Ballentine's built
Garvey Skiff
Click on image for more information |
What We Do:
We are a full service yard meticulously maintaining and
caring for boats
ranging from 16ft to 58ft.
~Storage: indoor,
outdoor and heated
~Finish work: varnish and paint
~Yacht Carpentry: custom building and restorations
~Launching and rigging
We specialize in the restoration of classic wooden boats:
~Full rebuilds or gradual upgrades
~Bronze Hardware fabrication
We upgrade and refine both wooden and fiberglass yachts to
mint condition and
classic aesthetics.
COME FOR A VISIT
& TOUR The winter is the best time to
come and see our fleet and the quality of our work.
No one is ever disappointed! Feel free to call or email to
arrange a time to see us. |
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Our History:
Ballentine’s Boat Shop (BBS), established in 1974, is tucked
away in Cataumet, Massachusetts. We front not a harbor or
bay, but a cranberry bog. BBS has grown, at this same
location, from a one-man shop with one small building to a
facility with 5 large efficient buildings and a 10 to 13
person staff skilled in woodworking, yacht finishing,
rigging, and bronze fabrication. |
ARIEL II, restored and maintained at BBS
Click on Image to view it larger |
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VIKING, a Herreshoff 12 1/2,
was
rebuilt and is now maintained at BBS
Here she is sailing in the
H-Class Nationals,
photos are available for purchase |
Ballentine's now fully maintains boats ranging from
Herreshoff 12 1/2 footers to a 58-foot ketch. Our
emphasis has always been to provide quality service,
maintenance and restoration of vintage wooden yachts.
The Ballentine's crew is meticulous in their
carpentry
and finish work. They have restored and continue
to maintain an impressive and varied
fleet. See our
Restorations Page to look at our past and current
restoration projects.
BBS is probably best known for restoring and maintaining the original
Herreshoff
12 1/2 footers. Because we service so many of this design, we also
fabricate their hardware. Our high quality
Bronze Hardware is also available
for purchase. |
