INFANTA Specifications

Designer: Philip Rhodes
Builder: Kretzer Boat Works

Year: 1947

Rig: Bermudan Yawl

LOA: 51’ (15.5m)

LOD: 46ft 10in (14.3m)
LWL: 32’ (9.76)
Beam: 11’10” (3.6M)
Draft: 6ft 8in (2.06m)
Sail No: 44
IRC rating: 0.971 2008
Owner: Tim & Jo Blackman
Call Sign: MSQM9

MMSI: 235065119
Iridium: +8816 316 56744

Commodore’s comments

I had always hankered after a yawl. Though not a particularly efficient racing rig, with a less competitive IRC rating, it is undoubtedly an attractive looking rig, and has great flexibility for short handed cruising. Having become Philip Rhodes “fans” following the ownership of Undina and Josephine, two Rhodes sloops with big cockpits, wide side decks and beamier than many British yachts built around the same time, when we saw INFANTA for sale in Chatham Massachusetts, she definitely required our inspection.

We felt at home with her immediately, though she had that air of just teetering on the edge of going down hill fast, having been maintained to the bare minimum whilst for sale for two years. All the systems were very dated and past their best, she had over the previous fifteen years undergone substantial refit, including engine, new decks and mainmast, so she was very sound.

We shipped her to the UK in early 2007, sailed her that summer (finding out what was working and what was falling off) and in the winter of 07/08 have carried out all necessary refit and renewal.

Infanta’s layout

Infanta has a large cockpit area (Including a cockpit shower) so all the crew can enjoy a drink together – and there is plenty of deck space for visiting yachtsmen to wander around to marvel whilst sharing a beer.

Below she is spacious, light and airy, well laid out for cruising in comfort. The interior is finished in Butter Nut timber giving a beautiful soft glow in the lamplight. She has the added comfort of a wood burning stove.

She has seven berths: A separate “paid hand” cabin in the forepeak, a separate large owners’ cabin with double bunk, and in the saloon a double bunk, a single settee berth and single pilot berth.

At the foot of the companionway, the galley is to port and the chart space to starboard with fridge and cold store beneath. There is hot and cold pressurised water. A step down into the saloon with a folding dining table, settees both sides ably seating everyone, with the wood burning stove against the fore bulk head.

Forward from the saloon is the separate heads, washbasin and shower.

Forward again is a separate spacious owners’ cabin with a double bunk, large seating area and nav. desk. There is plenty of locker space and a hanging cupboard.

In the forepeak is the “paid hands” cabin, separate from the other accommodation, with its own heads and accessed through the forehatch.

History of the name INFANTA

INFANTA was commissioned by Houlder Hudgins, fleet captain of the Indian Harbour Y.C., Conneticut. She was named INFANTA after the Spanish flagship of the Havana fleet. An “infanta” is a Spanish princess who will not accede to the throne. The admiral of the original battleship “INFANTA” (Click here for details) was good friends with the owner’s father. The story goes that on the night before going into battle during the Spanish American War, the admiral gave the ship’s coat of arms to his friend. He also gave his friend, who was a budding news correspondent, information relating to the battle that would sink the battleship “INFANTA” on the following day. This launched the correspondent’s career and recognition as a reporter. When his son had a yacht built, INFANTA would be the name.

Infanta’s history

So far not much is known of the first 40 years since INFANTA’s launch in 1947 but we can pick up her story from the 1980’s:

In the 80’s Infanta was acquired in a very dilapidated state having been left ashore for some time. The owner during this period undertook a lot of work including new keel bolts, floors, reframing with laminated frames, refastening, rebuilding the forward coach-roof, new hull ceiling and cabin sole.

In 1991 she came into the ownership of the Pease Classic Charter Company Inc., comprising a Chatham boat yard called Pease Boat Works and The ……………..family, who seem to have shared the task of looking after Infanta for seventeen years, during which time continued renewal and improvement added to the status of this fine yacht.

She was sailed and raced enthusiastically out of Chatham, often with a crew of youngsters. Thus she is held in fond memory by many of the local Chatham residents who grew up sailing on her.

Unfortunately in 2005 Mr ……… died, and the arrangement with Pease Boat Yard came to an end.

Having acquired Infanta in the autumn of 2006 we shipped her to the UK in early 2007 and have undertaken the extensive refit and renewal throughout the winter of 07/08 I’m now proud to be sailing this distinctive, navy blue hulled, stylish American racing yawl under the British Classic Yacht Club commodore burgee.

Race honours and prizes

1993: Best of Sail Restoration Award: Museum of Yachting, Newport, RI

1993: First Place: Sails Around the Cape (new course record)

1993: First Place Class “G”: Nantucket - Hyannis Figawi Race

Past Winner: Newport Classic Yacht Regatta

2000: First Place: Nantucket - Hyannis Figawi Race

2000: Best of Racing Class: Nantucket - Hyannis Figawi Race

2001: First Place: Nantucket - Hyannis Figawi Race

2008: ‘Je Ne Sais Quoi’ Award - British Classic Yacht Club Regatta

2008: Transat Classique Lagasse - Trophee de l’elegance