Mirara

Antique and Classics Mirara

An excerpt from Polly Saltonstall’s wonderful article “Phoenix Rising” in Wooden Boat Magazine issue number 196.

“Designed by B.B. Crowninshield in 1908 for members of the Manchester (Massachusetts) Yacht Club, these nimble, elegant sloops have been one of the more enduring one design classes, achieving cult status with sailors and wooden boat aficionados. At least 65 were built in the early 1900s for yacht clubs in Massachusetts and Maine, including North Haven, Dark Harbor, and Bar Harbor, with several variations in design. 

Known as Manchester 17s, Dark Harbor 17s, Northeast Harbor B-boats, or simply “knockabouts,” close to two dozen original boats, most restored or rebuilt over the years, remain sailing and a handful of new ones have been built over the past decade. 

Conceived during the heyday of American yacht design (the era of Edward Burgess, Edwin Boardman, Crowninshield, Nathanael Herreshoff), the 171 ⁄2 footers were among the first one designs to be built inexpensively on a large scale, and for more than one community and the class arrived in Maine as summer communities were forming their first yacht clubs. The first one design race ever held off Northeast Harbor reportedly was sailed in Crowninshield’s 171 ⁄2’ knockabouts. 

The boats were fast, which made for good competition and with their small cabins and transom bunks, they were versatile enough for short overnight cruising. They also could be sailed easily and comfortably by teenagers. 

Dan McNaughton, coauthor of the Encyclopedia of Yacht Designers, echoes many others when he compares the 17s to a luxury car: “The feel on the helm is like a Jaguar Saloon car,” he says. “Nothing sails quite like them. They were designed to be both beautiful and sweet to sail.”

Mirara is a terrific example of the Dark Harbor 17’s. Previously under the care and ownership of Traditional Boat (Unity, Maine) founder and principle John Flanzer, Mirara benefited greatly from that association with a continuing 13 year (1996 to 2009) refit and restoration that included replacement of multiple frames and floor timbers, a new forefoot-stem section, replacement of iron backbone fasteners with bronze fasteners, replacement of multiple planks forward and most of the port garboard, new mahogany rudder with bronze pintles, gudgeons and rudder post, new toe rails and rub rails, new cockpit seating, new main bulkhead, new cockpit and cabin soles, replacement of standing, running rigging and bronze turnbuckle adjusters and finally a new set of Hunter and Gamble sails.

Under her current ownership Mirara has benefited greatly by the wealth of wooden boat knowledge and expertise in and around Brooklin (Maine) and has spent time with some of the areas famed wooden boat craftsman. Currently maintained and stored (inside) with Brooklin Boat Yard Mirara is ready for your inspection. Call our broker (John Maxwell) to schedule a visit.