Design and Construction
Captain Nat built the 15s from the same molds as the Newport 15s, but gave them shallower keels and sizable centerboards. He experimented extensively with draft. Raised lead ballast produced a draft of 2 feet 3 inches on 43 of 71 listed boats, including the 1923 Watch Hill Yacht Club boats.
The wooden hulls have 9/16-inch white cedar planking and decks, 3/4-by-3/16-inch frames on 8-inch centers, 5/8-by-1-1/4-inch deck beams, and 1-1/4-inch-square clamps. As with all Herreshoff boats, the 15s have rather light scantlings. Built-in bulkheads seal large bow and stern air tanks for flotation. Older boats carried a couple of inches more freeboard at the bow than later boats.
Rig and Handling
The original rig carried 330 square feet of sail: 256 square feet in the mainsail and 74 square feet in the jib. Larger sail plans were tried, including a bowsprit rig. Ptiloris carried a three-quarter-length club jib that set very well.
Writing in Small Boats Nation, one reviewer described these sporty boats as quick in a zephyr and praised their perfect balance between speed, responsiveness, cockpit size, seakindliness, and looks.
The short waterline and saucer-like underbody allow the boat to turn on a dime. In a breeze, she sails at a large angle of heel without losing much speed. However, the long, rather flat bow can pound when sailing to windward in a steep chop, and the boat develops considerable weather helm on a broad reach in a breeze. Sailors can depower by slackening the mainsail and backwinding its forward area against a tightly trimmed jib.
Cockpit and Cruising Potential
The Herreshoff 15 has a deep cockpit and a vast amount of deck space, making her easy to sail from the inboard seats rather than from benches on deck. Her long, high bow with a generous foredeck keeps spray off passengers.
A cruising cabin could be added without spoiling the boat’s looks, provided it remained low and short. On ELF, a boom tent worked well as a weekend-cruising setup.
Variants and Later Builds
The Watch Hill 15s carried Marconi rigs. Four boats, including FLICKER, used the same hull with full keels that were deeper than standard and omitted the centerboard. These boats also had a couple of inches more freeboard and slightly heavier scantlings. Built to be hoisted aboard a steam yacht, FLICKER received a stouter mast, a self-tending jib, and no running backstays.
A 1970 fiberglass class by Allan Vaitses at Mattapoisett, with finishing by Frank Hall Boat Yard at Avondale, used Sandy Van Zandt’s tall Marconi rig and carried 296 square feet of sail. ### The Verdict
The Herreshoff 15 is a lithe, well-balanced centerboard racer with easy lines, built-in flotation, and a deep cockpit that rewards hands-on sailing. Her light scantlings and tendency to sail well heeled demand a careful owner, but the design’s longevity and the experimentation seen across its variants demonstrate its lasting relevance.
Pros
- Easy bow and buttock lines provide speed without a penalty when heeled
- Built-in bow and stern air tanks aid flotation
- Deep cockpit and vast deck space make her easy to handle
- Short waterline and saucer-like underbody allow sharp turns
Cons
- Light scantlings require vigilant upkeep
- Long, flat bow pounds to windward in a steep chop
- Considerable weather helm on a broad reach in a breeze
