24' Sparkman & Stephens Dolphin Sloop (1966) - RECOVERY

I owned Recovery (since sold and name changed) for 22 years, She was a perfect boat for coastal cruising, singlehanding, daysailing and fun times with the family. Designed by Sparkman and Stephens for the MORC (Midget Ocean Racing Club) rule, the S&S class were called Dolphins and Recovery was built in 1966 by F & L Tripp and Sons. The Dolphins are surprisingly fast boats for their size, especially downwind and in light air. They are also very seaworthy with a full keel and outside lead ballast. There is also a centerboard, making the underbody very similar to the famous S&S designed FINESTERRE. Recovery also had an inboard Yanmar diesel engine.

Her small size allowed me to launch, haul, trailer, step and unstep the mast and maintain the boat myself. I sailed her every year and cruised between New York and Maine with an L. Francis Herreshoff pram I built as a nesting dinghy carried on deck. She was a lovely boat to own, sailed well, was forgiving and had very beautiful lines, and every day we sailed someone would shout “pretty boat!” Recovery was like a member of the family and we all miss her.