Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Update on U.S. 104 (previously 107)


New owner, Paul Galvez, has been inspecting his bones US 104/107 and sends along these updates. The origin and builder of this International 14 is a head-scratcher to say the least. Paul is tending to US 104 as the correct hull number and not US 107.

"Just on update on this particular 14... I had some time to really inspect it last night. Overall, in really good shape considering it's age. I definitely believe pre-war, mid to late 1930's. The builder plaque is missing. Hull was hanging in the garage for about 50 years unused. Owner Bill Sweningsen was a collector of fine cars and boats. He mainly had it as a day sailor. No racing.

"He passed away about 6 mos ago and we have purchased the boat from his wife and son. They do not know much about the boat or where Bill got it from. They only that know he purchased the boat around 1967. Appears to be a West Coast boat at least from 1950 onwards based on what I see.

"The bright finished hull appears to be 5/16" thick carvel planked cedar on 51 individual 3/4" oak ribs. Each plank is screwed in with countersunk double bronze fasteners spaced about 4" apart then filled. Very nice craftsmanship. Bulkhead/Mast Support, Centerboard Case, and transom appear to be Honduras Mahogany.

"Rails appear to be a combination of Oak and Mahogany. I see zero rot and the hull is still stiff!

"Original Spars and foils appear to be in great shape. Most likely Spruce. The mast has a very interesting external halyard winch box made of bronze and aluminum.
"Hull is either US 104 or 107 since it has two sets of cotton miter cut sails with both sail numbers.

"One set is by Ratsy & Lapthorn, Cowes - 1939. The other set is by Kenneth Watts, San Pedro, no date but appears to be same vintage. This sail is stamped: "APPROVED - Intl 14 Association 1950, Long Beach CA."

"I have both the One Design and this hull in the garage at the moment side by side and they definitely look different in the hull shape with the Carvel planked boat carrying the beam a bit more forward and more tapered in the transom.

"I did some quick measurements last night on both the D&M and the Bones. Both mast steps are deck stepped and positioned 48" from the stem. Both bows are the same height from the knuckle. The transoms are the same width but the bones boat has a shorter transom height. Rigs are somewhat similar in overall length and spreader config with the bones boat spreaders are about 3" shorter than the D&M spreaders. Bones boat mast is much thinner and bendier. Rudder and center board are also lower aspect than the D&M. I will measure more next week and try to get a weight on it. What is still puzzling is that this boat is not double planked with silk liner but a thicker single planked boat of what looks like cedar.

"In my investigation over the last few days I was able to find a few notes from Louise Ford regarding her father's obsession with building the Rochester US fleet. It seems he had at least 18 or more RIP boats made from a few builders in NY/East Coast. On the later boats (before the D&M builds) he implemented his own ideas with the cockpit layouts. My thinking is I may have one of these variations. Louise apparently has records of these designs and perhaps photos. I have not reached out to her yet.

"During this digging I located another bones boat - US 34. Alive and well, still in NY fully restored and breathtaking. Owned by Dr. Robert Schock and sailed at his lake house in Lake Wanaksink, NY. We traded emails and he is dying to know more about the origins of his boat. He has some good info on it but is looking to complete the puzzle. I have forwarded him your contact info. I will forward the email he sent to me.


In a further email, Paul said he measured US 104 and his USOD, side-by-side, and US 104 is definitely an Alarm hull shape.


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