22' L.F. Herreshoff Lapstrake Centerboard Sloop (1986) - LILY

LILY is one of only a handful of boats built to L. Francis Herreshoff’s Design #43 and I don’t understand why. Compared to LFH’s later “how to build” 23′ Prudence, this Prudence design has advantages in having more sail area, drawing only two feet of water, and having a handsome, round-fronted trunk cabin. I find reefing is the way to go for the afternoon breeze, but the tradeoff is worth it because she’s so speedy with full sail in light air. Her rig is utterly simple, with only a forestay and single shrouds. As you can see from the OffCenterHarbor video we made, she’s a joy to sail. Her late builder, who I never met, did a bang-up job of putting her together. He built her just as designed including the Shipmate stove. L. Francis would be delighted—and I am too.