1928 Herreshoff R Herreshoff Style

Built in 1928 by Charles Mower at Henry B. Nevins Inc., this 40-foot R-Class racing sloop was originally named Alert IV and represents the elegant design principles of Nathanael Herreshoff. The narrow 9-foot beam, deep 5-foot-9-inch draft, and heavily ballasted 16,800-pound lead keel create a hull designed for speed and stability. The boat carries approximately 600 square feet of sail and achieves a cruising speed of 9 knots with a top speed of 15 knots, powered by an Atomic 4 gasoline engine.

The restoration has preserved the classic character while incorporating thoughtful upgrades. The aluminum mast features internal halyards, and the rigging includes modern North sails, self-tailing two-speed winches, and adjustable ball bearing controls on the genny tracks. Two vintage 1960s roller furlers remain functional. The deck features raised mahogany toe rails 4 inches high, with solid mahogany trim throughout and radius-cornered marine windows. Dorade vent cowls and a traditional cabin with doghouse complete the classic exterior details.

The interior consists of two cabins with solid mahogany and raised paneling, along with one head and a porta-potty in the V-berth. Structural reinforcement includes diagonal hull strapping that adds stiffness and strong chain plate keepers to stabilize loads. An extra Atomic 4 engine is available as a spare, and the boat has been in inside storage for decades. The wooden hull remains in sound condition, assessed by a shipwright in 2023.