Heritage 12 metre

15 June 09 Heritage

BOAT: Heritage
OWNER: 12 Metre Charters, Newport http://12metercharters.com/
DESIGNER: Charley Morgan, St. Petersburg FL http://www.charleymorgan.com/
BUILDER: Morgan Yachts, St. Petersburg, FL
YEAR: 1970
LENGTH: 63 feet[19.2 meters]
HULL: Double planked, sitka spruce and cedar over alternating frames of ash and laminated fir
 HISTORY: In 1970, the colorful Charley Morgan took on a monumental task. Alone, he designed, built, made sails for, and skippered his own America’s Cup campaign. His boat-Heritage [12 Meter US –23] was “an outsider from the south” – he sailed her from St. Petersburg, FL on her own bottom to compete against four other America’s Cup competitors. After a successful start, Heritage lost the defense to Intrepid, but the story does not end there.
 Converted to an ocean racer, Heritage went on to campaign in races throughout the East Coast and in the Great Lakes. During the 1980’s Heritage met up again with her old rival Intrepid on the Great Lakes and avenged her previous America’s Cup defeat- winning the prestigious Chicago Mackinac  Race in both  1983 and 1984.
Next, Heritage went on to compete in her second Antigua Race Week before transiting the Panama Canal and going to California.  In 1990 Heritage was purchased by her current owner and brought back to New England. She is now a part of the vibrant 12 Meter Charter and racing scene here in Newport. Look for Heritage to join the rest of the 12 Meter fleet for the 12 Metre World Championships coming to Newport this September.
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American Eagle- 10 May 09

BOAT: American Eagle
OWNER: American Eagle Inc. http://www.americascupcharters.com/
DESIGNER: Bill Luders, Stamford, CT
BUILDER: Luders Marine Construction Company, Stamford, CT
YEAR: 1964
LENGTH: 68 feet [20.7 meters]
HULL: Double planked Mahogany on steam bent oak and laminated mahogany frames
HISTORY:
The 12 Metre yacht American Eagle was designed and built in 1964 for the Aurora Syndicate as a contender to defend the 19th America’s Cup. Ultimately, Constellation defeated “Eagle” in defense trials and went on to beat the British contender Sovereign.
In 1968 media tycoon Ted Turner bought “Eagle” and sailed her to victory in nearly every major ocean race during the period. The record set by Turner and “Eagle” in the 1971 Fastnet Race stood un rivaled until the huge and fatal storm of 1979. Turner’s victories aboard American Eagle led directly to his selection to defend and win the 1977 Cup on Courageous.
These days, “Eagle” lives in Newport and earns her living as a part of the America’s Cup Charter fleet. Already commissioned and floating, she was available last week to take a group of hearty sailors out for what turned out to be a beautiful day on the water. Her distinctive red hull makes her a standout. American Eagle and all of the other 12 Metre racing yachts are preparing for a majestic season of living history on Newport’s beautiful Harbor this summer.