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Latitude 38 chronicles the 1929 Schooner Viveka

Viveka, a 1929 Classic Schooner, restored by Jeffrey Rutherford of Rutherford’s Boatshop , belongs to Sir Keith Mills and has been faithfully followed by Latitude 38 Magazine for over 13 years. This weekend December 6th, 2020 she leaves for San Diego and eventually Europe. Racing days are in her future.

Links to her restoration are at: Rutherford Boatshop .

Latitude 38’s Coverage of her launch and previous owner history here:

January 2012

One thought on “ Latitude 38 chronicles the 1929 Schooner Viveka ”

Sad to see her leaving the Pacific but good to know she’s got a good home and will be well cared for.

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Classic Schooner Viveka Relaunched in Richmond

Gleaming in fresh paint, sparkling varnish and polished brass, the 75-foot schooner Viveka was relaunched at Svendsen’s Bay Marine in Richmond last Monday.

The moment had been five years in the making. Viveka arrived at Rutherford’s Boatshop in Richmond in 2015 for a full restoration. But the owner ran out of money and the boat sat for four years until British entrepreneur Sir Keith Mills bought her and gave Jeff the go-ahead to resume work. COVID-19 provided another speed bump, reducing the crew of 18-20 earlier this year to just four or five. (Quarantine requirements also meant Mills could not attend the launching.)

In a way, it was kind of déjà vu all over again. At her original build in 1929-1930 at the George Lawley yard in Massachusetts, the Frank Paine-designed Joan II was to be a ‘fast cruiser’ for J.P. Morgan (or someone in the Morgan family). When the Great Depression hit, work on the boat stopped and the yard took possession. The boat sat for three years before Lawley decided to complete her as a staysail schooner.

But just as happened 90 years ago, it all came together again. Maria Barahona, wife of boat captain Geri Atkins, did christening honors. Two days later, the masts and rigging were fitted. There is about two weeks’ more work on the deck layout and interior before sea trials begin. The good news is that those will occur on weekends, so local sailors will be able to see this historic boat — which has been based in the Bay for many years — in action once again.

After sea trials, Viveka will be loaded onto a freighter for Florida, then onto another freighter bound for Palma de Mallorca. She’s due there in February to prepare for the classic yacht circuit in the Mediterranean next summer. She will eventually be homeported in England.

Read more about Viveka ’s rebuild and history (including her longtime ownership by Merle Petersen) in Sightings in Latitude 38 ‘s May 2020 issue.

18 Comments

What a beauty!

I thought long and hard about taking on the stewardship of this beautiful yacht but just couldn’t come up with the funding. So glad that there are people who can …..

So sad you couldn’t have done it on your own but to have someone as quality conscious as Jeff Rutherford and his crew in Richmond California is amazing that they were able to completely restore such a beautiful craft with such talented craftsmanship. KJ

Classic lines. Great that there are sailors with the ability to maintain the historical vessels

Some serious disposable income there . .

Honestly! The millions of dollars spent… but we can rejoice in the fact that quality craftsmanship is supported, hopefully I can see the BEAUTY in Spain, even though it will most likely? be behind locked gates instead of open to the people of the world to admire and aspire to forest restoration and conservation of sailing vessels worldwide !

I SAILED MANY MILES WITH MEARLE SON. WE DID A LOT OF RACING. ONE RACE WE WERE IN, WE RAN INTO THE COMITEE BOAT AND HAD TO GO BACK TO THE YACHT CLUB. NO ONE WAS HURT. IT IS A NICE YACHT. ODUS HAYES

ODUS, I THINK YOU . . . Whoops, I think you left the Caps Lock button on, bro. Or you’re shouting your comment.

So happy to see Viveka get another life. I used to live across the ‘T’ pier on my boat in the late 60’s making friends with Merle’s ‘care takers’. She was functional (but a work in progress) at that time making inter island voyages.

I am Merle’s oldest granddaughter, his “favorite oldest,” as he would say. I am the daughter of his first-born, Sherrill. I spent many hours on that boat docked in Waikiki and in Richmond City, but never sailed on her, except maybe when I was too young to remember. I visited him several times while he lived on the boat in the years before he died, and slept deep in her bowels in the freezing cold waters in the middle of the SF Bay summers.

One year when I was a teenager I spent several weeks with him back home on O’ahu and we worked on the boat. As has been noted, she was always a work in progress. I helped sand and varnish the deck and while at his house had to step over and around what seemed like miles of sail canvas strewn all over his living room.

Even though I never sailed her, I knew every inch. I was supposed to sail with him through the South Pacific after graduating from high school in ’86, but he was still in the process of gutting and stripping her down to the hull for a rebuild, and she didn’t embark eastward towards Asia until the summer of 1989. By then I was pregnant and could not make the trip. However my cousin Peter did spend time sailing all over Southeast Asia with our grandpa a few years later.

My mom spent a year and a 1/2 living on and sailing throughout the South Pacific on Vivika when she was 17, and her life was forever changed by it.

When our Papa died several years ago, my mom and I made a trip to the yard to take a look at the progress. The workmanship being done was beautiful and would have made him quite proud. I cannot tell you how much it makes my heart happy that she has kept her name and that her legacy as an iconic work of art, sailing tradition, and engineering is cherished and will continue in the hands of a new loving owner and crew.

Also: Lat38 editors please- Please correct to “Petersen”

Thanks and done!

Thank you, for the correction and for this lovely article from the entire family!

What a gorgeous work of art. I hope she fulfills the dreams of many generations yet to come.

Incredible sailing yacht! All the artists must be very proud to have contributed to this beauty. Well done!!! Beautiful yacht; beautiful name. Both unusual and lovely.

Viveka right now (December 23-2020) is in Ensenada at Cruiseport Village Marina. Stunning.

Sailed on her in ‘77 when we broke both masts Off Molokai trying to make Oahu in record time in the Lahaina Labour Day race, knocking off Peter Fonda’s Tatoosh. Back next year on my honeymoon when 4 of us broke the boom one week before same race. Merle had the boom fixed in time for the race. Stupid me arranged a new ride! Fortunately saw Merle on his boat for his 90th birthday.

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Frank Paine 72 ft Bermudian Staysail Schooner 1930 - Project Completion - Sold

Frank Paine 72 ft Bermudian Staysail Schooner 1930 - Project Completion

These details are provisional and may be amended

BROKER'S COMMENTS

If Frank Paine ever designed a slow boat, we haven't heard of it. In VIVEKA he created a high performance schooner yet still capable of girding the world safely and comfortably more than 50 years after launching. The current owner has embarked on what can only be described as an immaculate restoration, the structural aspects of which are now complete. This is a unique opportunity to finish this project; the owner free to select her inventory and define her final specification. VIVEKA hits that sweet spot at 72 foot – comparable with the Fife designed HALLOWEEN and LATIFA: large enough to offer substantial accommodation but without the need for a large crew – indeed her former owner sailed much of his circumnavigation in her single-handed !

Interested in VIVEKA in more detail.

Enquire About VIVEKA Download PDF Specification

VAT is unpaid on this vessel

VIVEKA is a project in an advanced state of hull and deck construction with some interior joinery and mechanicals etc as described

VIVEKA, originally JOAN II and subsequently SEAWEED, SWIFTSURE and MAUNALOA, was designed by Frank C. Paine of Paine, Belknap & Skene. The build at the highly respected Fred Lawley yard in Quincy Massachusetts started in 1929 and she was launched in 1930. She was designed for J.P. Morgan who wanted a fast cruiser, putting special emphasis on speed. He got exactly what he wanted. During the Second World War, as SEAWEED, she became part of the "The Hooligan's Navy", the government-requisitioned fleet of seagoing pleasure vessels for use as spotter patrols on both the West and East coasts. For almost a month in May 1942 she held her station through some very tough North Californian spring weather - 15 days of it hove to splendidly under just a small main staysail. Good practice perhaps for a future stage in her life... In more recent times VIVEKA has sailed one and a half times round the world with her former owner Merl Petersen at the helm. She was purchased from Merl as a project by her present owner who, wanting everything to be done to perfection, chose Rutherford's Boat Shop in Richmond near San Francisco to make the total restoration.

CONSTRUCTION

The yacht was originally cedar and mahogany double planked on oak frames with a deck length of 72 ft 9 in, 48 ft waterline, maximum beam 14 ft and around 9 ft draft. She has been substantially restored with the key elements as follows: - New purpleheart stem - New horn timber and rudder post - New laminated transom - 100 % of the frames replaced - Every 3rd frame 3 ½ x 3 ¼ inch laminated oak replacing the original sawn frames - The 2 steam bent oak frames in between are 1 ¾ x 2 ¼ inch - Hull planking replaced in the same way it was done originally - Double planked 5/8th inch yellow cedar inside, 1 ¼ inch mahogany outside; total 1 7/8th inch thick - Mahogany planking all scarfed full length to a 12 to 1 ratio - There are no butts to show up or deteriorate - The two layers epoxy glued together; the whole fastened with large bronze screws and faired - Douglas fir sheer clamp and shelf - 74 x Cast bronze floors - Bronze chain plates and knees - Original teak rudder sound enough to be repaired and refastened to the stock with bronze rod - Laminated white oak deck beams with side laminations for the appearance of having been sawn - l/8th cedar 1st layer sub deck with underside white painted before laying for a crisp line in deck head - ½ Inch Douglas fir marine ply 2nd layer all epoxy glued with overlapping seams - 10 oz cloth fibre glass sheath over - ¾ Inch teak deck prefabricated by Teak Decking Systems - Deck fitted by Rutherford's without screws or plugs to negate any fixture related problems - Teak bulwark and cap rail - Mahogany hatches and skylights

DECK LAYOUT

From aft Superstructure and deck equipment is fitted to the extent shown in pictures provided - Aft deck - Bronze backstay terminal / chain plate - Cockpit - Raised trunk over aft cabin - Main trunk and sliding hatch access to companionway - Main mast - Bronze chain plates - Butterfly skylight fore and aft - Butterfly skylight fore and aft - Foremast - Bronze chain plates - Low profile raised sliding fore hatch - Bowsprit

ACCOMMODATION

Some interior bulkheads and joinery items have been fitted according to the pictures provided

RIG AND SPARS

- Sitka spruce hollow foremast with conduit inside for electric cables, etc - Bowsprit

MECHANICAL ELECTRICAL AND TANKAGE

- Nanni diesel to be mounted well forward out of the main saloon - Sillette twin bronze hydraulically driven sail drives - 3 blade folding Gori propellers - Stainless steel fuel tanks - Stainless steel water tank - Polyethylene black and gray water tanks

RECENT AND CURRENT WORKS IN PROGRESS

- Sliding hatch over the forepeak recently completed - 2 x Skylights installed - The house over owner’s stateroom, sides complete leaving top off for ease of access - All the items have several coats of varnish for protection - Teak deck margins currently being fitted around finished deck superstructures - Fuel tanks installed under the cockpit and the fuel transfer system designed for fitting - Installation of the whole system and the hot water system is due shortly - Cockpit fitting and installation to follow next, followed by main companionway and house

Contact us to discuss VIVEKA in more detail.

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These particulars have been prepared from information provided by the vendors and are intended as a general guide. The purchaser should confirm details of concern to them by survey or engineers inspection. The purchaser should also ensure that the purchase contract properly reflects their concerns and specifies details on which they wish to rely.

Sandeman Yacht Company

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VIVEKA is a 25.3 m Sail Yacht, built in the United States of America by Lawley and delivered in 1930.

Her power comes from a Buda diesel engine. She has a gross tonnage of 30.0 GT and a 4.27 m beam.

She was designed by Paine, Belknap & Skene , who also completed the naval architecture. Paine, Belknap & Skene has designed 1 yacht and created the naval architecture for 1 yacht for yachts above 24 metres.

VIVEKA is one of 994 sailing yachts in the 24-30m size range.

Specifications

• Name: VIVEKA
• Previous Names: JOAN II,SEAWEED,SWIFTSURE,MAUNALOA
• Yacht Type: Sail Yacht
• Yacht Subtype: Classic Yacht
• Builder: Lawley
• Naval Architect: Paine, Belknap & Skene
• Exterior Designer: Paine, Belknap & Skene

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Brokers comments:

It has been said that few yacht designers manipulated the Universal and International Sailing Rules to greater advantage than Frank Paine. Perhaps best known for the J Class YANKEE (1929) and Bermuda Race record holder HIGHLAND LIGHT (1931), his main body of work was in the 6 and 8 Metre (International) and Q and R (Universal) Rule classes. VIVEKA’s lines more than hint of her origins as a smaller YANKEE. The current owner has embarked on what can only be described as an immaculate restoration, the structural aspects of which are now complete. This is a unique opportunity to finish this project; the owner free to select her inventory and define her final specification. VIVEKA hits that sweet spot at 72 foot – comparable with the Fife designed HALLOWEEN and LATIFA; large enough to offer substantial accommodation but without the need for a large crew – indeed her former owner sailed her round the World – much of it on his own !

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Designed for J. P. Morgan by Frank Paine and built in Massachusetts as a fast-cruiser, she’s perhaps unique as the only schooner to have rated as a 12-Metre. During the Second World War, she was used as a patrol boat off the US coast. Viveka was owned for 57 years by one man, who often cruised her single-handed, a testament to the manageability of the staysail schooner rig. 

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14 - 18 august 2024, illes balears clàssics.

Mallorca Spain

27 - 31 august 2024, vela clasica menorca.

Menorca Spain

12 - 15 september 2024, vele d’epoca imperia.

Imperia Italy

23 - 29 september 2024, les régates royales.

CANNES FRANCE

Trophies & prizes.

Our beautiful Trophies

Med Cup Big Boat

This 700 gram Sterling silver fruit bowl was made by Cooper Brothers & Sons Ltd, Don Plate Works, Arundel Street, Sheffield & Holborn Viaduct, London in 1978

The firm was founded in 1866 as Cooper Bros. In a directory of 1871 their address is given as 14½ High Street and they are described as manufacturers of electro-plated and nickel silver spoons and forks. By 1876 the firm was in Bridge Street and in 1885 they purchased the Arundel Street works where they remained until 1983. In 1895 the business became a limited liability company under the name of Cooper Brothers & Sons Ltd. In 1983 the business was acquired by Frank Cobb & Co. Ltd

Med Cup Classic

This vintage sterling silver fruit bowl made in 1966 by Elkington and Co. of Birmingham, UK.

The firm, founded in 1815, became very popular for pioneering the electroplating and gilding techniques.

Elkington and Co. was founded by George Richards Elkington and his cousin, Henry Elkington, in the 1830s. It operated under the name G. R. Elkington & Co. until 1842, when a third partner, Josiah Mason, joined the firm. It operated as Elkington, Mason, & Co. until 1861, when the partnership with Mason was terminated. The firm operated independently as Elkington & Co.  from 1861 until 1963. It was then taken over by British Silverware, Ltd.

Med Cup Marconi

A beautiful hallmarked solid silver “Monteith” bowl made in 1972 by J B Chatterley & Sons Ltd of Newtown Road, Birmingham, UK.

A “Monteith” bowl is a form of a vessel or basson that was originally introduced in the 17th Century in order to cool glasses in a Verriere fashion.

A Monteith bowl would feature a band of notches on the brim which allowed for the base of a wine glass to be ‘hooked’ onto it and the body to rest in the bowl containing ice water.

Med Cup Vintage Gaff

This 988 gram solid silver centrepiece bowl was made in Denmark in 1917 by C.I. Moinichen, Copenhagen 1893 – 1937.

It was gifted to the Club in 2021 by Thierry Laffitte, owner of “Sagittarius” and it was his wish that it became the Gaff Class Trophy. It is known as “The Andre Laffitte Trophy” in memory of his father.

VCYC Seamanship Trophy

Donated to VCYC by the Greenwood family for the VCYC Seamanship Award in memory of Michael Greenwood. 

This trophy is in recognition of outstanding seamanship and is constructed using truly classic items, mahogany and a Merriman bronze winch.

Merriman Brothers started their rigging loft and blockmakers factory in 1898  in Amory Street, Boston.

They were Edward Butler Merriman, born 1867, and Frank White Merriman, born in 1873. They specialized in pulley blocks and fittings an became rather famous all over the world with the name “Merriman Bros”, trademark a Trident. About 1995 the factory closed and now all is history.

Official Partners

Med Cup Latest News

Find out below the most recent updates about the Mediterranean Champions Cup.

The 2024 Championship & New Members

Dear Members and Friends, We have been doing some important refit work to Chinook these past few months and I have come to realise that I am not as young as I thought and still a hardened mono-tasker which has

Holiday Greetings 2023

Dear Members and Friends, From the VCYC HQ, we wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We look forward to seeing you all at some point during the coming months. Best wishes, Jono & Sandra  

Mahon classic yacht regatta report from onboard Viveka

By Gery Atkins Last month was the Vela Classica Menorca and myself and the rest of the Viveka crew were absolutely delighted to take part again for the second year in a row and try and defend our first place

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