Oriole II

Oriole II was one of the first American designed and built thirty-square meters to race competitively in international competition.  She was designed in 1930 by the famous yacht designer Lewis Francis Herreshoff for Elizabeth ‘Sis’ Hovey. Driving ORIOLE, Miss Hovey would become the first woman to race and win an international sailing event.  Her purpose was simple, to race in Kiel, Germany and Sandhamn, Sweden to recapture the Marblehead and Hoover Cups in 1930, both lost the prior year to the Swedes.

While the American’s lost both regettas, Herreshoff relayed, ‘we had only one new boat on the team, the Oriole II, sailed by Miss Hovey, and it is said she proved to be nearly as fast as the best German or Swedish boat in this class.’

Oriole II stayed in the Marblehead area for many years after Hovey sold her in 1934, placing respectably in capable hands against larger Swedish-built boats.  By 1994, she had been acquired by the Museum of Yachting in Newport, Rhode Island. The Museum completed a full restoration of the yacht before adding it to their collection. The boat was acquired by her current owner in 2006.

Oriole II is an open cockpit racer, with a dramatic swept-back mast, small jib sail and very large main sail. She has a full keel, with lead ballast. The decks are done in canvas and epoxy.

“Oriole II” is available for
Sponsor: Yes
Charter: Yes
Sale: $30,000

Boat Specs:

Designer: Herreshoff

Sail #: US X 4

LOA: 39’

LWL:  27’

Built: 1930

Beam: 6’9’’

Draft 4’9’’

Displacement: 5,557 lbs

The bottom of Oriole is a white oak keel with lead ballast attached by bronze bolts. The caravel planking of the hull is mahogany. The planking is attached to white oak frames that are 1” x 1” sided and approximately 6 1/2’ on center. The planking is fastened by #6 copper rivets, and 3/16”  bronze wood screws, virtually all the fasteners have been replaced in the past 12 years.

The mast appears to be made of Sitka Spruce, and made as a box section tapering off to a round section at the top. The mast is a 3/4 fractional mast that has about a 1’ bend as well as a lot of rake to it.

Sail Inventory:  2012 Quantum Dacron sails.  150% genoa, 100% jib; main.  Used less than 20 times and in excellent condition.

$3,900 per week/event, plus expenses*

*Oakcliff is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit and your donations are tax-deductible to full extent of the law.