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Pond Yacht rigging

By JerseyCity Frankie May 3, 2015 in Masting, rigging and sails

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Jerseycity frankie.

Im sifting the internet looking for information about pre-radio control Pond yacht rigging. Working rigging for sailing scale models.

Before radio control, as I am sure all of you know, pond yachts reached a high degree of sophistication. Self tacking steering gear controlled by wind vanes, with a lot of complex brass hardware with elastic bands and adjustable sliders, were visible on deck and could be set by the user on shore to match the prevailing wind conditions and desired point of sail.

My problem is in finding authoritative information on these mechanisms. Nearly ALL of the images I find of historic Pond Yachts, those not in actual contemporary photos, are of models that have been restored and have had their steering gear simplified, presumably by antique dealers with little working sail understanding. In most of these cases its very obvious that brass fittings remaining on deck are not rigged in a way that would have an actual effect, they have merely been mocked up to look like they function and are often left unconnected to the sails.

Have any of you R.C. guys come across books or websites that deal with this aspect f the hobby? I hope there is a repository of this knowledge somewhere, it would be a shame to lose it.

• markjay , Jack12477 , IgorSky and 3 others

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Blue Jacket Ship Crafters, in their book department sells two books on pond models. Both books are by M. de Lesseps. They are Pond Models  and Pond Yachts How To Build And Sail Them.  These books may have the information you're looking for.

Yowch $57 on Amazon!  But I see only $21 at Blue Jacket. Thanks for the tip!

I wrote to the Central Park Yacht Club and they put me in touch with a gentleman with experience with the subject. I was touched by his generosity when he wrote back and sent along annotations on the photo I had sent him.

He explains that:

......... sheet-to-tiller rig:  there were *two* mainsheets, one used on  going to windward  and the other on the run. Both typically had hooks on the end so they could be switched.

Sailing upwind, the boat sailed on balance only, tiller centered by the elastic as shown in the picture. The beating sheet ran from the end of the boom and was hooked on the ring on the main horse. Running sheet hung loose. On the run, the running sheet would be hooked to the tiller as shown, and run out so the main boom was swung out to one side or the other. The beating sheet would hang loose. The principle is that if the boom were swung to starboard, the boat would tend to turn to port. The pressure of the wind would pull on the main sheet against the elastic and give opposite helm to the rudder , thus guiding the boat. The jib would have a single sheet, adjusted with a tensioning device,  let out for the run and pulled in for the beat.  

• Landlocked123 , Omega1234 , Jack12477 and 2 others
• 2 weeks later...

Found this on Google books and it is relevant:   https://books.google.com/books?id=_jYCAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA103&dq=Pond+Models+%C2%A0and+Pond+Yachts&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8NtZVbWuHq7IsQTHgYHADg&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Pond%20Models%20%C2%A0and%20Pond%20Yachts&f=false

• 1 month later...

Try this web site from the UK: www.vmyg.uk. Its called the Vintage Model YachtGroup, its web site has a link to a

instruction book for various self steering mechanisms and how they work. 

Looked interesting.

Bridgman Bob

Thanks for the link to the website! I thought I had seen them all by now but this was a new one to me. Here are some shots of the model I am restoring, one of two. THis example was likely not actually sailed. It has a lead keel but there is no rudder head, the rudder moves but does not pierce the deck.

The second model, not pictured, has rudimentary self steering gear and I will put up some photos of that later as I finish work on her.

I finished the restoration work I was doing on these two Pond Yacht Models. I have a new appreciation for this type of model and plan on building one of my own now. Here are some before and after photos. ANd then just some details shots.

• Omega1234 , mtaylor and markjay
• 7 months later...

However, did you notice that shipping at Blue Jacket starts at $50.00?  

Huh?    http://www.bluejacketinc.com/ordering.htm

Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build:                                                                                              Past Builds:   La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans  - ON HOLD            Tri ton Cross-Section    

  NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit                                                                             HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64                

Non-Ship Model:                                                                                           On hold, maybe forever:           

CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed                                                      Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0  (Abandoned)           

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Pond Sail boats By Mark Chervenka

Pond sail boats, made in china and indonesia.

Sleek smooth sailing ships have always been admired. From Victorian times to about 1910, "Pond Yachts" gave boys smaller versions of the ships Harold Vanderbilt and Thomas Lipton built in their international sailing matches. Adults, in America and abroad, often devoted countless hours to building models of their own which are now prized as folk art. Either way, as toys or folk art, vintage ships are worth considerable amounts of money.

New replicas of finely made wooden ships have been imported from China and the Philippines. These pieces look very similar to turn-of-the-century originals in both materials used and construction. This article will compare some of the details that separate the new replicas from vintage folk art models and original toy ships.

New ships range in size from 28″ to 43″ in length which is within the range of originals. All are made by hand virtually the same way as old. Decks and hulls are made of individual boards nailed into separate frames. Decks are varnished mahogany; hulls and masts are stained dark and varnished.

Base your evaluation on how the suspected ship is presented: is it being offered as a toy or as a model? If the piece is sold as a toy, it would logically be expected to float. Closely inspect every point where any object is attached to the hull such as rudder shaft, main mast, etc.

Virtually without exception the new replicas have no seals at these points to keep water out; original toys have carefully made seals. Now pick the ship up. All sailing toys require a weighted keel to hold the ship upright against the push of the wind. Any toy without a weighted keel would topple over. The new replicas are not weighted. All the new ships we have seen have Philippine mahogany in the deck; good quality ca. 1900 toys used Honduran mahogany. The varnish on the new hulls is thin and not waterproof; varnish on the old is thick and tough and withstands water.

If the piece is represented as an old model built from scratch or a piece of folk art, pay attention to small details especially any metal work. Most model builders and folk "artists" in particular, were more skilled working with wood than metal. Precision metal work requires expensive machinery while wood can be worked with knives and other common household tools. That is why almost all home builders adapt, rework, or "scrounge" metal already at hand. Most of these pieces are easily recognizable.

This is very obvious in the genuinely old model shown in Fig. 6. In this case, booms are capped by bullets (Fig. 7), the main mast is set in a piece of brass pipe and the rudder is connected by a Rube-Goldberg system scrounged from that coffee can of parts everybody has in their garage or basement. A number of parts are soldered together and are obviously hand made. A wide range of sizes and types of fasteners is also used (screws, nails, glue, pins, etc.).

In short, the majority of old models, built over months or even years, show an individual one-of-a-kind spirit. The builder wasn't going to mass produce ships and did not buy or have made thousands of matching fasteners or metal fittings. New ships, by contrast, show a dull uniformity all the fasteners are basically the same whether used in the hull, deck, masts or rigging. Metal fittings are identical from new ship to new ship.

Construction clues are your best guide to evaluating age but you can also use black light. The new sails have a bright glow to them; most old sails, unless recently washed, do not fluoresce. Most new thread and string used to stitch the sails and in some of the rigging also fluoresces.

Fig. 1 New handmade wooden ship 43″ tall, 43″ long. Wholesale price was $99.

Fig. 2 New handmade wooden ship; 39″ tall, 28″ long. Wholesale price was $75.

Fig. 3 Parts of a Typical Yacht.

Fig. 4 Toy yachts ca. 1900. All for active play in water, not just shelf pieces.

Fig. 5 Cross section of new ship showing individual boards nailed to framing members.

Fig. 6 Authentic made from scratch sailing yacht; 32″ in length, 48″ tall. Constructed with thick varnish, weighted keel, and variety of fasteners and improvised hardware.

Fig. 7 Shell casing and bullet end cap is an example of adapting ordinary items for use on vintage models.

Fig. 8 This old mast is supported in a brass socket above the deck. Masts in new ships go through a hole in the deck which would leak water if actually used for sailing. Note ordinary hardware.

Fig. 9 Another adaptation of scrounged parts in an old model.

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We hope you will find our services and products useful in your model yachting hobby. Our mail order service commenced in 1958 and we have been despatching our products world-wide since then.

Our PRICE LIST gives you instant access to almost 500 items so please refer to this firstly before enquiring. And please note there is no VAT tax (we do not charge VAT). Having firstly visited the list of products to see what we offer, the other dedicated pages on this site are to assist you with further info on sails, aluminium mast/boom tubing, rig & deck fittings (with photos), wires & cordage, screws & bolts etc., sail winches, tools & accessories. To access all other pages and products as well as our "help" pages either click on the individual (sliding) carousel links "read more" or via the top bar. There are some 35 pages on this website (including help files with useful tips). All other pages can be accessed using the drop down menus at the very top of each page.

Nylet are the longest established professional model sailmakers in the world, manufacturing full size sails from 1932 to 1965, and also model yacht sails in cotton from the early 1930's onward. 108 years of experience - 2 generations. We have been exporting our products world-wide since 1958 and offer a comprehensive model sailmaking service including yacht sails made in white Dacron, also racing scrim, and IOM sail rig kits, plus replacement kit sails, also Dacron Heritage sewn sails in 1950's/60's style. For some 35 plus years we have again manufactured finely finished Premium 'vintage' style cotton sails. We offer a large range of rig & deck fittings, wires & cordage, a huge selection of screws, nuts etc, sail numerals, accessories and hardware for modern racing yachts. Also sail winches, and much, much more. For products and prices click on (top bar) "all pages" and select from the drop down list. Please also see customers comments on the various pages. News - Range of sail winches for most yachts, see dedicated winch page; for prices refer to our products & price list in section M (prices start at around £100). Just a note about our sails. As it says on the "sail" pages Nylet sails are finished and are complete with batten stiffeners (where necessary) and all eyelets etc etc. A few customers ask if they are complete - seems some Chinese "kit" sails are not fully finished (I use the word "sails" loosely here!). We are Master Sailmakers and have been for 92 years , so you are purchasing the best. Please read our 3 sail pages for fuller details.

NYLET, a family business (since 1832), has moved with the times over 3 centuries and for many years been run on a mail order basis. We are thus able to focus on orders from home and abroad enabling us to effect a brisk turnaround on stock items. On a personal note, a milestone - in 2024 I celebrate 58 years of model sailmaking (taking over from my late father in 1981) and am pleased to say that I take great pleasure in my work, every sail I make is given equal attention to detail. Our skills represent some 108 years of sailmaking experience when taken together with my late father, who taught me most of what I know. It might actually be 118 years if I reckon his early years working for his father (a keen yachtsman) and making sails for the dinghy he constructed in the mid 1920's (before making sails commercially). Our family firm (originally known as J.Parsons) was established in 1832, 5 generations ago and originally being chandlery supplies and manufacturing canvas goods, sheeting, tilts etc. for narrowboat hauliers as well as farmers, then later in the marquee trade and in turn manufacturing full size sails as well as model sails from the early 1930's. We are proud that in our family business we can say this is some 192 years of manufacturing.

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Today - Racing sails in scrim and film, Dacron sails & Heritage sewn Dacron sails. Nylet Finest 'Premium' cotton sails, fittings etc. 2016 - Frank Parsons marked his 50th year of model sailmaking. 1966 - Coloured Terylene racing sails. 1932 - Commencement of full size and model sailmaking. 1834 - Founding of the family firm, J.Parsons (canvas goods manufacturers). 1772 - My 4th gt grandfather, Michael, a Silk Mercer in High Holborn, London, working with fine cloths. 1738 - My 5th gt grandfather, Michael Compigné, Goldsmith, London, a specialist miniature maker for private customers, items made in gold & silver. 1620 - My 8th, 7th & 6th gt grandfathers, Clockmakers in Normany, London, and Winchester. From 1620 to 2022, over 400 years of the finest craftsmanship. 400 Plus Years of Tradition

Sails made by Special Commission for Collectors & Museums. Nylet IOM racing sails finely manufactured in racing scrim, white Dacron and satin film. Also replacement kit sails; Classic Varnished Terylene sails, also "Heritage" 1960's style sewn white Dacron sails made exclusively by Nylet. Also Premium 'Vintage' style cotton sails. Any size sails, of any type, made to your drawings or templates. Just a note, sail suits are often wrongly referred to as "sets". In nautical parlance sails are a "suit" whether that be 2, 3 or 4 sails (or more) for a yacht or a working boat, or a ship of the line such as HMS Victory where a dozen or more sails may be involved. All our sails are priced as a suit.

Makers of model sails to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

*Note: Wind conditions within sail type & design parameters.

Please note, we are not a "shop" (we have been asked). Phone us to chat, always happy to help.

The Nylet website is often updated weekly; updated August 2024

SOME Testimonials

Thank you for the BB3 booklet - a mine of information.

Thank you for such excellent service again, quality goods sent at lightning speed. A credit to how things should be done.

I had various recommendations of who to get sails from but the other day I saw a yacht with your sails and it just shone out, the shape looked beautiful, so I decided there and then to contact you.

Thanks Frank, sails arrived, what a work of art! They are incredible!

The fittings arrived in record time and I am really grateful to you for such a superb service.

I was pleased to receive my new IOM sails today, they are very good indeed just what I wanted, possibly the best I have ever had, good workmanship.

Many thanks for the superb Seawind sails that arrived this morning. I really appreciate the speed of processing of the order, and the precision of the finished sails.

Sails received with thanks. Great quality and great fit!

The M-class sails arrived and absolutely fantastic, really pleased and more than happy to recommend your workmanship.

The Voyager sails arrived in perfect condition and look beautiful. Thank you very much for the nice work!

Just to let you know that the new IOM sails work very well, thank you. I had 2x1st, 2x2nds,2x3rds, and 1 fourth. So I came first overall after 7 races.

I live on the coast of NSW in Australia. Some time ago I bought Spirit No.2751 (the one featured on your site). I am currently racing the boat here in Australia in several IOM fleets. The elliptical rudder works perfectly and the boat is at full potential now, points higher than the TS2 and the Topiko. Neither are faster off the wind.... Thanks for a great boat, I have never felt another IOM that glides to windward like the Spirit 3. All your efforts are appreciated here.

I just wanted to say a really big thank you for the lovely suit of Dacron Heritage (sewn) sails you have made for my vintage 4 foot model J Class sloop. I have put the sails on the spars and they look superb! They are beautifully made as I expected them to be, but in all fairness it is actually better than I had even hoped for.

Sails have arrived safely and look fantastic. Very many thanks.

Many thanks, order arrived today, superb service as always.

Just a note to thank you for phoning me with the expected delivery of the Dragon sails. They came the same day! I have to say that they look stunning and beautifully made with lovely details.

Safely received! Thanks for the great service.

Hope you are doing well, again, thank you for the (cotton) sails. They turned out beautifully.

I immediately rigged my 36"-class and was happy about the perfect fit of the (cotton) sails. They are wonderful and I am happy. Thank you very much!

Sails arrived this morning, as promised; they are a work of art - the real thing! Whatever else people say about the barge, they will say "who made her sails?"

Sails have arrived safely. But what a superb job, my old girl will be the best dressed yacht at any of our VMYG meetings. Wonderful work of the very highest standard as always from you, I cannot thank you enough.

I've never won anything before with my One metre (IOM) yacht but with your sails newly fitted I won the series of races. An excellent job, marvellous, thank you.

Hi. Sails arrived today, very impressed. Thank you.

I received my sails today....PERFECT...arrives safely. Perfect fit and I look forward to sailing with the new sails!!!!!! THANKS,

Received the sails, many thanks - as usual, quality better than expected!

Hi Frank, The One Metre sails are looking great.

Hi Frank thanks for another great (sail) job.

Thank you for your most attentive service, my best regards.

Dear Frank, the sails arrived safely on time, as promised. Superb quality and workmanship, as ever.

more comments from satisfied customers

Just a quick email to let you know the J class sails arrived in perfect condition and look amazing. I will of course send you some pictures when the boat is finished.

Hi Frank. The sails arrived today - they look great. I very much look forward to getting them rigged and tried out. I've already taken trophies with the sails you made for my 10 rater so hoping for more of the same.

The (Seawind) sails have arrived, the only thing I can say is - WOW. What a difference compared with the standard sails.

Absolutely magnificent (cotton) sails!

Congratulations for your sails! They look perfect and the belly looks fine and regular. Many thanks for the high quality of your work.

Many thanks for the most efficient service.

Sails received with thanks. You are a true craftsman.

Looking forwards to receiving the (Mascotte) sails, your workmanship always gives me pleasure.

Many thanks for the first class service you always give, items arrived this morning so that's my bank holiday weekend sorted!

Sails arrived this morning, superb as usual, thanks again.

Beautiful suit of sails arrived safe this morning, thank you.

Hello Frank, the sails arrived yesterday and are super thanks. I attach a photo of them fitted to my yacht.

Thanks for the BEAUTIFUL (cotton) SAILS which arrived today. What fantastic work. Amazing. Well worth the wait! I've fitted the sails to the spars. Fantastic. My goodness you are a skilled and talented man. I saw the shape you had made before fitting and understood why you did so, but only when rigged did it all make sense. Amazing. And those tiny brass eyelets... I took the yacht to my sister this morning. What a thing of beauty, was the unanimous cry. Forgot to get a picture for you in all the excitement... watch this space. I am so grateful to you, and will be coming back for more!

Thanks for your great service and friendly advice.

Order arrived this morning (next day), all OK, excellent service.

Just arrived, perfect delivery! Thank you Frank, and have a nice Weekend!

Many thanks for the prompt reply (directing me to the price list). Lots of goodies there!

The items arrived in the post today, all Ok. Thank you for the quick and excellent service, its nice to know that small orders like mine are given the same service as larger orders.

Hi Frank, (cotton) sails have arrived, they are perfect, you did a lovely job, will send you a pic when on the boat.

Just received my glorious suit! Magnificent! The tablings..... marvellous!!!... the stitching lines, the overall shape, every detail, all very beautiful indeed! I can't tell you how delighted I am. You must understand, the wind has always held a magical place in my heart and the thin membrane with which we apply our feeble human attempts to have it do our way over an equally mysterious sea..... alchemy indeed. I hold this suit in my hands and it all comes alive again. You sir, are a Wizard of Dacron. Thank you for your brilliant work, I raise a glass to you Sir,

Really thanks again for your great products and service!

The sails arrived safely yesterday and look amazing. I am very pleased with the result and they will make the yacht look smarter than she has ever done.

Hello Frank. Thank you for all your help, the sails, mast and fittings are all first class and Starlet is sailing beautifully.

Amazing. I wish all British businesses ran on your lines!

Hi Frank, sails (Nottingham J) arived safely this morning, very pleased, they are very well made and look beautiful. Merry Christmas.

Thanks Frank, wonderful service.

Your sails are a work of art. I wish I had the energy to have all my sails replaced with yours.

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Register a boat, latest posts, historical new video - redds pond 1940 & 1994, for sale: herreshoff ketch, new articles available on the website, boat wanted: vintage 36/600.

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antique pond yacht

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Antique Wooden Pond Yacht

Antique nautical toy wooden pond sailboat / yacht with metal keel, mast & boom, yacht pond largs postcard - 90470, antique pond yacht c1920/30, large antique victorian hand made in england pond yacht with original oak stand, vintage / antique 22" wooden toy pond yacht sailboat hull - weighted at bottom, antique 1940s 50s pond boat 18" ailsa yacht milbro scotland three sails 23" 16", large 48" victorian pond yacht gaff cutter rigged fishing boat c 1880 pcm, large vintage 26 1/2" gaff rigged cutter style pond yacht with stand, new listing cdv photo 2 young boys with pond yacht boat toy by t c turner of london, large australian cedar model racing yacht126 cm long, pond boat, balmain bug., vintage antique old australian cedar pond boat yacht toy racing skiff model, vintage wooden wood / tin pond hobby sail boat / yacht 20" long #ht, vintage 16" star yacht sy3 sailboat pond boat birkenhead england, vintage wooden model sailing boat timber hull pond yacht phonovox nsw australia, 1920s photograph two boys playing with a fine pond yacht at the seaside, vintage large hollow wood boat pond yacht display ship sailboat as-is, vintage handcrafted folk art wooden pond sail boat model yacht +nice, vintage wooden model sailing boat timber hull pond yacht, cabinet card victorian photo young boy sailor suit pond yacht father harlesden, antique vintage 14 in wood pond model sail boat keystone blue paint, vintage antique 40”x29”wood pond boat yacht sailboat model - restoration project, largs the model yacht pond - postcard, 4m pvc durable adult kids yacht mini inflatable waterfall slide mini pool water, antique vintage folk art tin ship / pond boat handmade, inflatable yacht portable water pool inflatable floating ocean sea swimming pool, the yachting pond largs north ayrshire vintage 1949 photograph c22, vintage large orange and white wood and metal toy pond boat/yacht/sailboat hull, vintage wood homemade 29" pond sailboat 45'' mast brass rudder & brass on deck, wansfell stereoview 3d c1860 real photo cumbria victorian family pond yacht, vintage star yacht pond boat birkenhead wooden toy sailboat made in england, vtg pond model yacht ship boat sailboat nautical coastal wood schooner as is, old deep keel yacht wood sailboat model, america's cup, j-boat, ship, vintage pond boat yacht sailboat handmade custom mahogany beautiful with stand, large vintage antique wood and metal pond yacht sailing boat hollow hull w/ keel, vintage model pond boat sloop sailing boat ~~ nautical ~~ maritime, jacrim hollow boat sailboat, mini pond yacht sailboats set of 4 models 20" wooden nautical boat decor new, gorgeous cabinet photo young girl with pond yacht boat hollis barrow in furness, 15.7/40cm usa pira-te ship vintage ship wooden model fully assembled sailboat, funboy yacht dog water lake pool float, largs, yacht pond and mackerston place, rp, pathway to yacht pond eirias park colwyn bay postcard antique bromotone seaside, vtg sailing ship boat wood wooden model pond yacht, antique vintage photograph young woman bathing suit lake boat, vintage folk art wooden row boat model 12’, blackheath, south east london - yacht & owner, prince of wales pond, early 1900s, r069254 yacht pond and mackerston place. largs. henderson. 1961, funboy giant inflatable yacht pool float with cooler, cup holders, daybed, large vintage wood wooden model sail pond boat single sail 24" tall x 16", c1940's yachting pool peasholme scarborough england rppc photo postcard, dog yacht raft pool float 63" x 27" front compartment for toys and treats, rare vintage wooden red black pirate toy sail water pond boat yacht rig hull, funboy giant inflatable yacht pool float size: l117in x w48in x h 17.5in b/new, vtg antique wood pond boat submarine folk art lead weighted old primitive rare, vintage postcard m l 1271 yachting pond, largs - miller & laing, funboy x bark yacht dog float water toy pool float 63 x 27 dog up to 70 lbs, postcards-scotland-largs-ptd. the model yacht pond..

Vintage Pond Yachts

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Vintage Star Yacht Toy Sailing Boat SY/3

A fabulous original Star Yacht SY/3 vintage toy sailing boat from the iconic English maker Star Yachts of Birkenhead.

In superb condition, this bright and colourful yacht displays well and evokes fond memories of childhood holidays at the great British seaside…

Sail it in the local park or brighten up that corner in your bathroom!

Yacht comes complete with one of our popular reproduction Star Yacht display stands.

For more information please study the images and text below.

Images on this website can be enlarged by clicking on them.

See also:   Star Yachts of Birkenhead 1935 Catalogue.

See also:    The History of Star Yachts of Birkenhead.

See also:   Star Yacht display stands.

• Description

Additional Information

Product description.

Star Yachts are renowned around the world for their fabulous range of model sailing boats and were in production from just after the first world war right up until the sad demise of the company in 1990. Over the years they produced many different variants, each one proudly displaying the company’s decal – “Made in England” and “Guaranteed to Sail”.

This SY/3 model is in remarkable condition, the original factory red over “canary yellow” paintwork is virtually unmarked, aside from the smallest amout of rubbing at the very tip of the bow, while the metalwork is superb and the original deck transfer is undamaged.

The sails have weathered beautifully, they have a few age related marks that add to the charm of the piece and, importantly, they have no rips or tears.  The “STAR SY/3” logo on the sail is very faded but legible while the cotton itself shows no signs of deterioration.

Another nice detail on this particular model is the red stitching to the hems of the sails.

The overall dimensions of this yacht are approximately 40cm (15.75″) long and it stands 48cm (19″) tall.

As with all our vintage items we are more than happy to supply any additional images that you may require, we try very hard to provide honest and accurate descriptions of products and should you need any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

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Come Visit Our New Location

957 n. lime ave, sarasota, fl  34237, largest selection of used sails in the southeast, new custom sails * sail repairs * rigging * canvas, thousands of sails in stock.

Masthead offers thousands of used sail choices; in stock at our location and ready to ship. All of our sails have been professionally evaluated by one of our sailmakers. Our sails come to you ready to use without the need for repairs. We offer modifications and alterations to match your requirements through our  in-house, full service sail loft.

To locate a sail on our website, go to our  USED SAIL SEARCH TOOL

CHOOSE a sail type and enter your approximate luff dimension in the search box:

• STORM SAILS

Don’t have your rig dimensions, no problem. Click here to search by boat:  RIG DIMENSIONS TABLE .

If you prefer for us to assist you in finding the right sail, please call 727-327-5361 or email:  [email protected]

OR fill out our contact form here and we’ll contact you:  CONTACT FORM .

SECOND WIND Boat for Sale

40' fountaine pajot | 2022 | $599,000.

• Yachts for sale
• fountaine pajot
• Second Wind

Last updated Mar 1, 2024

Second Wind Boat | 40' Fountaine Pajot 2022

Turnkey Ready and Eager for Adventure!

This gem has been meticulously maintained and is primed for a new captain at the helm.

Recent Maintenance Highlights:

- Full Service Bottom Job: Completed in January 2024, ensuring optimal performance and           durability.

- Professional Compound and Wax: Also in January 2024, for a gleaming finish that turns heads.

- Sail Drives Serviced: Up-to-date as of January 2024, guaranteeing smooth sailing ahead.

This vessel is not just maintained; it's loved. Ready to make waves with its new owner!

Overview:Experience the epitome of luxury and efficiency with our 2022 Isla 40 Catamaran. Meticulously maintained and part of a professional light charter program.

Key Features:

1. Light Charter Program: The boat has been part of a light charter program, ensuring professional handling and maintenance.

2. Professional Maintenance: Continuously maintained by experts, the Isla 40 remains in superb condition.

3. Charter Program Options: Keep the boat in the charter program to offset expenses or opt-out for private use.

4. Advanced Amenities: Equipped with the latest features for a luxurious and comfortable sailing experience.

5. Performance and Comfort Blend: Expertly designed for speed without compromising on comfort.

Highlights:

- Solar Power: 3 x 400 Sunpower Solar panels on SS Mount, accompanied by 3 x Victron Mppt Controllers, for unmatched energy efficiency. - Dive Compressor Ready: Prewired for both 110V/240V, ensuring easy installation for a dive compressor.

- Upgraded Anchor Package: Enhanced from the standard commissioning with a Mantus 85, 200ft of 3/8 HT Chain, 3/8" Gypsey, and 150ft Rode.

- Features 3-blade folding props/V30HP for superior maneuverability and speed.

Investment Opportunity:This catamaran offers an exceptional investment opportunity. Its participation in the charter program not only maintains its condition but also provides a revenue stream, making it an attractive option for both personal enjoyment and financial benefit.

Denison Yachting is pleased to assist you in the purchase of this vessel. This boat is centrally listed by Atlantic Cruising Yachts - Texas.

Denison Yacht Sales offers the details of this yacht in good faith but can’t guarantee the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of this boat for sale. This yacht for sale is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal from that yacht market without notice. She is offered as a convenience by this yacht broker to its clients and is not intended to convey direct representation of a specific yacht for sale.

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Second Wind HIGHLIGHTS

• Yacht Details: 40' Fountaine Pajot 2022
• Location: Saint Petersburg, FL
• Last Updated: Mar 1, 2024
• Asking Price: $599,000
• Max Draft: 4' 0''

Second Wind additional information

• Beam: 21' 7''
• Hull Material: Other
• Double Berths: 3

Isla 40: The gateway to a mythical and inescapable brand… Alone in the world if that’s your desire, in harmony with nature, with sea views, like an island, Fountaine Pajot catamarans can also be a shared source of pleasure and emotions.

This is why we’ve always given our new models the name of an island or a name that evokes islands.

The Isla 40 is the access model to the Fountaine Pajot range: like a flagship, she is our standard bearer. Her name is a self-evident and she sets the benchmark for sailing catamarans of this size.

Proud successor of the Lucia 40, this new 12-meter sailing catamaran perfectly embodies the spirit and innovative design of Fountaine Pajot.

Her inverted bows, her innovative saloon where the chart table adjacent to the entrance gives way to a “total relaxation” lounger, her performances and her habitability (3 or 4 double cabins + an optional crew cabin) combine to make this new model an exceptional catamaran.

The Isla 40 stands out, like her big sisters, with elegant and invigorating lines, recognizable among all the rest.

Schedule a Tour of SECOND WIND

Contact our team to schedule a private showing.

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Smithsonian Voices

From the Smithsonian Museums

NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM

Flying Boats Were Once the Luxury Liners of the Air

Flying boats opened up travel destinations around the world—then they went to war

Twilight glimmered in the western sky as the large aircraft began its descent to the Tagus River in Lisbon, Portugal. As it flew into view, the shores erupted in a cacophony of cheers, gun blasts, and tolling church bells. The euphoria reached a crescendo when the unusual craft finally landed on the water and glided to a stop.

On that lovely evening—May 27, 1919—an ambitious and daring feat had been achieved. The U.S. Navy’s Curtiss NC-4, a massive “flying boat” crafted by pioneering designer Glenn Curtiss, became the first airplane to cross the Atlantic Ocean, making a stop in the Azores before setting down in the river on the European continent.

“We are safely across the pond. The job is finished!” wrote Lieutenant Commander Albert C. Read, captain of the historic flight, in a message to his superior officers.

Front page headlines dominated newspapers across the United States and around the world. “Twentieth century transportation has reached a new pinnacle, and the United States navy has led the way,” raved the Associated Press. 

The Curtiss NC-4—in the collection of the National Air and Space Museum and on loan to the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida—led the way for the era of the flying boat. At the time, the lack of airports with hard surfaces in the world’s major destinations meant overseas service had to be handled by airplanes that could land on water.

The flying boat—so named because the bottom of the fuselage looks like the keel of a waterborne vessel—dominated the prewar era of transoceanic flight. From the United States to South America, Europe, Pacific Islands, Asia, and beyond, this class of airplane went where others could not. It had the range, capacity, and ability to reach faraway, exotic locales that were inaccessible to most other aircraft of the day. The world’s militaries likewise embraced the adaptable aircraft, using it to patrol the world’s oceans and rescue downed fliers. 

Then, flying boats all but disappeared. Larger land-based aircraft capable of carrying more passengers and cargo replaced it and transformed the way the world traveled. 

Now it seems the flying boat is on the verge of a comeback, as countries seek them for missions as diverse as fighting fires to ferrying tourists to remote islands. Flying boat enthusiasts worldwide dare to wonder if they will see the magnificent machines soar and sail once again.

In the lap of luxury

At its zenith, traveling on a commercial flying boat was like sailing on the  Queen Mary 2 . Private sleeping rooms, silver dining service, chef-prepared meals, and white-gloved waiters were all part of the upscale treatment passengers could expect on these ocean liners of the sky. 

The cost? In 1940, a one-way ticket from San Francisco to Hong Kong was $760—about $15,000 today. The main advantage? The trip took days by flying boat versus weeks by passenger ship.

The aerial luxury afforded by flying boats was best epitomized by Pan American Airways. In a symbolic nod to the majestic sailing ships that plied the oceans in the 19th century, the airline’s flying boats were named “Clippers” by the company’s cofounder. The comparison did not stop there.

“That was exactly what Juan Trippe, the founder of Pan Am wanted,” says Bob van der Linden, a National Air and Space Museum curator who specializes in air transportation and special purpose aircraft. “He knew his customers were the equivalent of first-class passengers onboard a high-end steamship. They expected the best service with stewards and pursers. The airplane was operated by a captain and navigator, terms that came from the navy. If you look at the old Pan Am uniform, it’s the same as a U.S. Navy uniform, including rank insignia. They were trying to emulate ocean liners.”

In the 1920s and ’30s, flying boats came in a multitude of shapes and sizes—from small craft holding just a few people to massive airplanes with room for scores of travelers. In addition, airmail delivery was an essential part of commercial aviation at the time. Lucrative postal contracts from the federal government helped airlines reach profitability at a critical time of development while expanding routes across the Caribbean, South America, and the rest of the world.

Flying boats are a unique style of vessel. Whereas a floatplane is basically a regular airplane mounted on pontoons, the flying boat is essentially a hybrid between a ship and an airplane. It features durable wings capable of withstanding strong winds and rough seas, as well as a sturdy hull—usually V-shaped like a boat—so it can withstand the rigors of landing on choppy waves. Designing such an unusual craft required a precise balance between two very different disciplines.

“A flying boat must satisfy many of the same requirements for performance, efficiency, strength, and reliability as a landplane but, in addition, must possess some qualities of a boat in water and some qualities unique to the flying boat itself,” wrote the late Laurence K. Loftin Jr., former director of aeronautical research at NASA Langley, in his 1985 book  Quest for Performance: The Evolution of Modern Aircraft . “It must be seaworthy, maneuverable, and stable on the water and have low water and air drag. The hull must be designed with sufficient structural strength to withstand the various loads imposed by rough water in landing, taking off, and taxiing.”

In other words, a flying boat had to be sleek and rugged. Finding the proper parity between these two opposite fields of performance was crucial if a proposed design was to be successful. A miscalculation in either area could have disastrous results.  Such were the challenges faced by Pan Am as it prepared to launch transoceanic service. 

For Trippe and Charles Lindbergh, a key advisor, size was important. They wanted aircraft large enough and tough enough to handle the demands of flying over long expanses of ocean and through fluctuating weather conditions. Aeronautical engineers responded with some of the largest aircraft built in those years.

“If you’re going to fly over water, you had to do it in a flying boat in case something happens,” says van der Linden. “Also, for that kind of range you need a big airplane, which meant they needed a lot of power and a lot of fuel. You needed a really, really long takeoff run to get the airplane airborne. In those days, there were no airfields long enough to do it. Plus, they were mostly grass and dirt then, and a heavy airplane would go right through that.”

One of the earliest large models was the Sikorsky S-40—the first to get the nautical treatment by Pan Am. Known as the American Clipper, it had a wingspan of 114 feet, a gross weight of 34,000 pounds, and it could carry up to 38 passengers. The largest airplane built in the U.S. at the time, the S-40 required four powerful Pratt & Whitney Hornet radial engines to break free of the water’s drag and reach the sky. It made its first flight to the Caribbean on November 19, 1931.

Pan Am and other airlines would go on to bigger and heavier flying boats. Pan Am opened transpacific service in 1935 with the Martin M-130 (one of which was christened the China Clipper) and began transatlantic service in 1939 with the Boeing B-314, which had a wingspan of 152 feet and a gross weight of 84,000 pounds. 

With a range of 3,500 miles, the B-314 could reach Europe without refueling, and it could span the Pacific with a just few stops at islands along the way. In fact, Pan Am’s Pacific Clipper (which was briefly named the California Clipper) is considered the first commercial airliner to circumnavigate the globe. Stranded in New Zealand on December 7, 1941, the crew was forced to fly west across Asia and Africa to New York City to avoid capture by Japanese forces.

“What’s important about the flying boat is that it had range,” says van der Linden. “In the 1930s, land-based airliners could fly 400 to 600 miles, if you’re lucky. The big flying boats could go 3,000 miles or more. In the Pacific, you needed to fly a minimum of 2,400 miles, which is the distance between San Francisco and Hawaii.”

Preparing for war

As the world wound its way to war in the 1930s, militaries in many countries turned to the flying boat to meet the aviation demands of an impending two-ocean conflict. All nations with access to the sea utilized these aircraft in wartime operations. Among Axis aircraft, Germany’s Blohm & Voss BV 138 Sea Dragon was a primary long-range maritime patrol aircraft, while Japan flew the Kawanishi H8K for naval reconnaissance and bombing missions.

The island realm of Great Britain relied on the Short S.25 Sunderland for its patrol bomber needs and it served with several Commonwealth military branches. Powered by four Bristol Pegasus XVIII nine-cylinder engines, the aircraft bristled with up to 12 machine guns and could carry 2,000 pounds of bombs, mines, or depth charges for anti-submarine warfare.

Flying boats were part of the U.S. war effort from the very beginning. Ten Sikorsky JRS-1 aircraft were at Pearl Harbor when the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked. All of them survived. They were immediately pressed into service and flew many missions patrolling for Japanese submarines and searching for the enemy fleet. (One of the surviving JRS-1s is on display at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.)

Perhaps the most iconic flying boat of World War II was the Consolidated PBY Catalina ( see “Bombs, Beer, and Black Cats” ). Affectionately called “Dumbo” by those who flew it because of its resemblance to Disney’s animated flying elephant, the large two-engine aircraft was not very nimble, but it was extremely durable and versatile. It played a crucial role for the U.S. Navy in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters as both a bomber and a search-and-rescue aircraft. The Catalina also performed reconnaissance missions.

“The PBY was in the vanguard of the fight across the Pacific,” says W. Hill Goodspeed, an author and historian for the National Naval Aviation Museum, which has two Catalinas on display—one of which has been on loan from the Smithsonian since 1973. “It was the eyes of the fleet in World War II.” 

A sky-high view proved decisive in 1942, when two spotted the Imperial Japanese Navy fleet just prior to the Battle of Midway. Early detection provided the U.S. Navy with a significant edge in that pivotal showdown early in the war. 

With more than 3,300 units built, the PBY was the leading flying boat of World War II. It was also the most effective. Catalinas destroyed upward of 40 enemy submarines and sank more ships than any other aircraft.

Other flying boats served the U.S. military during the conflict, including the Martin PBM Mariner. By 1945, it was flying more missions than the PBY Catalina. Of the 1,366 constructed, only one remains today: It is part of the collection of the National Air and Space Museum, and currently on loan to the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.

While World War II demonstrated the capabilities of flying boats, it also led to their decline. “The one thing that was holding back the development of all large airplanes in the 1930s was the lack of concrete runways,” says van der Linden. “All bets were off in World War II. We built concrete runways everywhere for the war effort. That killed the flying boat.”

Making a comeback?

Lawrence Reece is a hardcore fan of flying boats. For his aircraft restoration service, he flies around the country and beyond in search of spare parts for 80-plus-year-old PBY Catalinas. Keeping these vintage aircraft flying and floating has been his avocation and vocation for several years. Now, he is working to reintroduce the legendary airplane to meet the demands of modern travelers who want to visit remote locales accessible only to flying boats.

“In the past 10 years or so, tourism has been growing,” says Reece, founder and president of Catalina Aircraft in Longboat Key, Florida. “People want to go places. Guess what you’re missing in a lot of places they want to go to? Airport infrastructure. A lot of islands today are not big enough to include room for that.”

Reece plans to introduce what he calls the NGAA (Next Generation Amphibious Aircraft) Catalina by the end of the decade. Using the same airframe made sense, he says, because of its ruggedness and functionality—not to mention its continued appeal. 

There is, however, another, more economical, reason for pursuing the platform: The basic aircraft already has approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. Even though the new version will have modern avionics and engines, Reece can save millions of dollars in development costs by sticking with a known concept. “This is a variant of an existing approved design,” says Reece, who owns the rights and plans to the original PBY Catalina. “I’m making some limited changes to it. I only have to recertify those limited changes to the overall aircraft.”

Interested individuals and companies, as well as the military, have contacted Reece about his plans, which could include building variations for putting out wildfires, cargo and troop transport, passenger service, science exploration, and search and rescue.

“Aerial firefighting is huge business,” he says. “Everybody wants planes for firefighting because it’s such a big concern these days. It will be scoop-on-the-fly, along with some new technology. We’ve got a drop computer system we’ve been developing that utilizes a spotter airplane with a [laser-based detection system] so we can map out our drop points and trajectories.”

Not to be outdone, Amphibian Aerospace Industries of Darwin, Australia, is currently retrofitting older aircraft with modern components as it works on a planned release of the new Albatross 2.0, more properly known as the G-111, by the end of the decade. Coveted by collectors today, the Grumman HU-16 Albatross was originally introduced in 1949 and remained in active use through 1995. It featured a wingspan of 96 feet and could carry a crew of four with 15,000 pounds of cargo or passengers. 

According to CEO Dan Webster, his company is eyeing a global market for commercial cargo and passenger service, medical transport, and multiple other uses. He sees the tourism industry, especially among the thousands of smaller islands without airport infrastructure in the South Pacific, as an important focal point.

“Many resorts are operating marginally at the moment,” he says. “This changes the business model for them. They can bring in a weekend customer in a fraction of the time it took to get there before by ferry or other means. Now they can fly direct to the resort. The thing about the Albatross is its capacity. With room for 28 passengers and their luggage, it will be the largest certified flying boat on the market once we get it running.”

With midrange flying boats preparing to take off again, is there hope for a return of the big “ocean liners of the sky”? Probably not. Though magnificent, the Clippers and other passenger ships were old and slow compared to the modern jetliners that dominate air travel today. “As graceful and luxurious as the flying boat was, it was terribly inefficient compared to a land plane,” says van der Linden. “You can’t run an airline if you can’t make money.”

Sadly, none of the deluxe flying boats of that bygone era remain. All were scrapped, destroyed, or just fell victim to abandonment and neglect. A full-scale replica of the Boeing B-314, built to original specifications, is on display at the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum in Limerick, Ireland, once an important terminus for flying boats on the way to Europe.

Today, about the only place you can view most of these majestic relics is at museums. I saw firsthand the NC-4 and PBY-5 Catalina on loan from the National Air and Space Museum at the National Naval Aviation Museum, as well as a PB2Y-5R Coronado.

The size of these aircraft is stunning. For example, the wingspan of the NC-4 is 126 feet. By comparison, the Wright brothers’ flight on December 17, 1903, was just 120 feet. I learned that the Wright Flyer could have taken off and landed on the wings of the NC-4—with room to spare.

The size of the Coronado is also impressive. I felt insignificant standing next to this flying sea monster, which is more than 27 feet tall. You can see why it required four gigantic engines to power free from the suction-like grip of the ocean and make altitude.

Equally inspiring is the Catalina. Smaller than the other two, it has a wingspan of only 104 feet and required just two 1,200-horsepower engines to reach the skies. But what the PBY lacked in size, it made up for in toughness. 

Seeing these remarkable aircraft up close is a memorable experience. I can only imagine what it would be like to fly in one of them. Sadly, the chances of doing so these days are slim. Thank goodness, a new generation of flying boats is on the horizon. Maybe, just maybe.

As I walked out of the museum, I could only wonder what the future would hold. I looked back at the airplanes one last time and was reminded of the words of Jimmy Buffett, a true fan of the half plane, half boat: “Taking off and landing in the water held a romantic fascination for me.” 

Dave Kindy  is a journalist, freelance writer, and book reviewer who writes about aviation, space, military history, and other topics.

This article is from the Summer 2024 issue of  Air & Space Quarterly , the National Air and Space Museum's signature magazine that explores topics in aviation and space, from the earliest moments of flight to today.  Explore the full issue.