Herreshoff Rozinante

Description

The Herreshoff Rozinante (often simply called the Rozinante) is a classic American double-ended canoe yawl designed by L. Francis Herreshoff (son of the legendary Nathanael Herreshoff) in 1952. The plans first appeared in an article in The Rudder magazine, and a revised version was published in Herreshoff's 1973 book Sensible Cruising Designs. It was intended as a simple, engineless daysailer and coastal cruiser inspired by 19th-century whaleboat and canoe yawl traditions, emphasizing graceful lines, rowability (with oars as primary auxiliary in calm conditions), and excellent handling for single-handing or small crews. Production was limited and primarily amateur or small-yard built (wooden plank-on-frame, cold-molded, or fiberglass versions), with builders including the Kenner Boat Company, Cheoy Lee Shipyards (some teak examples), and others like Artisan Boatworks or Doug Hylan for custom/modified builds. Exact hull count is low (dozens at most, including owner-built), but it remains one of the most admired and "hypnotically beautiful" small cruising designs ever drawn, praised for its sleek, timeless aesthetics, sweet sailing performance, and versatility in light to moderate winds.