32' Stenback HAI Class Sloop (1935) - MAKO

In the late 1920’s around the Baltic, sailing was becoming expensive and was in danger of being a sport for only the wealthy. Several yacht club officials then met and decided that a new reasonably priced design was needed – something that was built with high quality using local materials, designed for racing and cruising, a monotype (one-design) for racing with a crew of 3, and beautiful. Gunnar L. Stenbäck created the Haï (shark in Finnish) to fulfill this need. The class were quickly adopted by Finnish sailors and boat were also shipped to other ports around the Baltic. Between 1933 and 1935, 25 boats were shipped to the Camden Yacht Club in Maine, USA, where the Swedish spelling of the class name was used (Haj). Around the same time, several boats were shipped to France where they are called Requin. Soon boatbuilders in France started producing more and the number has grown to more than 400 (wood and fiberglass).

MAKO was built in 1935 and was part of the third, and last, shipment of Hais from Finland. She is one of only a few remaining in Maine. In 2006 she was shipped to Sausalito, CA where she sailed for 3 years before being shipped back to Maine.

At some point a previous owner added genoa jib which provided more power but decreased pointing ability because of having to sheet outside the shrouds. During a recent trip to Finland I discovered that the jib was reduced in size when the boats were shipped to Maine. I have since had new sails made that conform to the original plan (and the current Finnish rule). In France the boats have more sail area, something I have considered when the winds are light. And yet, the hull is so easily driven that MAKO moves along nicely in all conditions. She is one of the nicest boats I have ever sailed.