15' Nielsen Double-Ended Daysailer (1936) - PRIMROSE

Primrose is the first and only Double Ender 15 built. She was designed by K. Aage Nielsen while working at Sparkman and Stephens at their Boston office. The boat was built by Simms Brothers in Dorchester Mass, she was first launched in January of 1937. The original design plans showed the boat to be lapstrake planked. No one knows why it was changed to Carvel. In either case, Nielsen brought his Danish heritage with him to Boston, and this boat is clear evidence. The original cost for the Double Ender 15 was $975.00 in the 1937 yachting press.

Primrose was originally planked in mahogany, with copper rivet fasteners to steam bent oak frames, keel and deadwood. After a substantial rebuild by Ballantine’s boat shop on Cape Cod (1987)she was re-planked with white cedar, with a fir shear streak and a marine plywood deck with Dynel over. She has 600 lbs. of lead external ballast. Her spruce rig is a lofty marconi main and fractional jib. She has 133 square feet of sail area. The external hung rudder curves up to the tiller which is captive in the traveler.

Her cockpit has comfortable seating for four adults. Thehelmsman’s seat is slightly elevated for better visibility. The finish of the cockpit is raw teak seats and sole, oiled inner plank surfaces and varnish trim.

She is a near sister to Neilsen’s Fern 19’, Sea Lady 19’, Tivoli 19’ Primrose 19’, and closely related to Lucy 26’, Northern Crown 36’ and the rest of Neilsen’s double enders.

She has been owned by the same family for over 40 years.