ROZINANTE was commissioned by L. Francis Herreshoff in September 1971 to be built by O. Lie-Nielsen at Lee’s Boat Shop in Rockland, ME.
Being now in his 80’s, L. Francis saw great promise in his Design #98, and commissioned the project as a financial investment.
To maximize efficiency, two others of the same design #98 were built concurrently at Lee’s Boat Shop (Cercerelle and Ginny E II).
L. Francis was heavily involved in the construction process, as evidenced by site visits to Rockland, ME and extensive correspondence with O. Lie Nielsen, now in archive at the Mystic Seaport Collections Research Center.
ROZINANTE was completed in the Fall of 1972, and found a new owner immediately.
L. Francis passed away in December of 1972, having never sailed in one of his most wonderful boats.
“Rozinante was the name of Don Quixote’s steed. She was a long, thin animal but every time the Don mounted her he had remarkable adventures”.
– L. Francis Herreshoff – The Compleat Cruiser
Photos
Video
Enjoy this full video from Off Center Harbor:
Thoughts on an L. Francis Herreshoff Rozinante, with Roger Taylor and Maynard Bray
Map
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Your boat is so well maintained for fifty years old! The only Rozinante finished by Nielsen before LFH passed away was the varnished CERCERELLE. She moored in Edgartown harbor on Martha’s Vineyard for many years until brought back to Islesboro, Maine. Until recently she was owned by friends in Camden. She’s been sold again through Alec Brainerd’s Artisan Boatworks. They maybe refurbishing her but I’m not sure about that. BTW in the photo of your boat and the BB 18 BESHERTE how did you and she compare on the broad reach, speed wise? I’ve sailed in both types but never side by side like that. Thanks- David Tew, Diana IV
Hi David,
Thanks for your nice note, and sorry for slow reply.
By shear coincidence, Cercerelle is now kept in the same cove as Rozinante, in East Blue Hill.
She looks great, and nice to have them together again after 50 years.
Bersherte really flies, but keeping her in range feels pretty good.
Best of luck and look forward to seeing Diana IV sometime!
Craig
I just spoke today to the former owner of Cercerelle and she misses the boat terribly.She says even though she and her husband couldn’t sail her safely now (balance issues) they wish they could just sit aboard at the mooring and enjoy the sun, wine and appetizers in the cockpit. Here’s a quick story: When I was young growing up on Cape Cod a Rozinante moored next to our family’s cruising boat each summer. There was a(n elderly it seemed to me at my age) gentleman who owned her and tasked me to bail her out when she took on rainwater during the week when he was off in Boston at work. The boats’ name was ‘Queequeg’, humorously suitable for a double-ender as well as the boat having a design history related to whaleboats. I didn’t know about “Moby Dick” then so the old man told me the story of it (much abbreviated) and I went on to name my own Beetle cat ‘Pequod’ and the family Boston Whaler ‘Scrimshaw’.
Curious about the moniker “Sleeping Giant.” Pretty sure I understand what it might refer to. If I’m right, I have a favorite story that would be fun to share with you sometime.
-Art (Eastward)
Hi Arthur,
I really have enjoyed researching LFH, and would love to meet sometime knowing what a resource you are.
Hope to meet on the water sometime this year, will keep an eye out for Eastward!
Craig
Hi Gary, thank you very much!
That moment when you cross the bridge and look out to the East never grows old!
One of the most beautiful places in the world, and we feel very lucky. Best, Craig
Lovely boat, lovely video. Can’t wait to get back on the water!
Rozinante is an outstanding beauty.
By the way I’m also a Nielsen. But not family related to the builder.
Your boat is so well maintained for fifty years old! The only Rozinante finished by Nielsen before LFH passed away was the varnished CERCERELLE. She moored in Edgartown harbor on Martha’s Vineyard for many years until brought back to Islesboro, Maine. Until recently she was owned by friends in Camden. She’s been sold again through Alec Brainerd’s Artisan Boatworks. They maybe refurbishing her but I’m not sure about that. BTW in the photo of your boat and the BB 18 BESHERTE how did you and she compare on the broad reach, speed wise? I’ve sailed in both types but never side by side like that. Thanks- David Tew, Diana IV
Hi David,
Thanks for your nice note, and sorry for slow reply.
By shear coincidence, Cercerelle is now kept in the same cove as Rozinante, in East Blue Hill.
She looks great, and nice to have them together again after 50 years.
Bersherte really flies, but keeping her in range feels pretty good.
Best of luck and look forward to seeing Diana IV sometime!
Craig
Hello again Craig,
I just spoke today to the former owner of Cercerelle and she misses the boat terribly.She says even though she and her husband couldn’t sail her safely now (balance issues) they wish they could just sit aboard at the mooring and enjoy the sun, wine and appetizers in the cockpit. Here’s a quick story: When I was young growing up on Cape Cod a Rozinante moored next to our family’s cruising boat each summer. There was a(n elderly it seemed to me at my age) gentleman who owned her and tasked me to bail her out when she took on rainwater during the week when he was off in Boston at work. The boats’ name was ‘Queequeg’, humorously suitable for a double-ender as well as the boat having a design history related to whaleboats. I didn’t know about “Moby Dick” then so the old man told me the story of it (much abbreviated) and I went on to name my own Beetle cat ‘Pequod’ and the family Boston Whaler ‘Scrimshaw’.
Curious about the moniker “Sleeping Giant.” Pretty sure I understand what it might refer to. If I’m right, I have a favorite story that would be fun to share with you sometime.
-Art (Eastward)
Hi Arthur,
I really have enjoyed researching LFH, and would love to meet sometime knowing what a resource you are.
Hope to meet on the water sometime this year, will keep an eye out for Eastward!
Craig
Nice job, Craig!
Thanks Mike. Looking forward to many more cruises with the Murniks in 2021!
Launch day is sneaking up….
Best in show!
Are you related to the East Coast Buttners?
Small world…..best to all in Alaska!
Great to see such a fine craft from my little home town. Wonderful to see the “sleeping giant” in the background of a couple pictures. – Gary Cousins
Hi Gary, thank you very much!
That moment when you cross the bridge and look out to the East never grows old!
One of the most beautiful places in the world, and we feel very lucky. Best, Craig