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Boat Information |
| Eclipse |
| Hull #: | 3 |
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| Class: | Gaff |
| Classic: | Yes |
| Builder: | Henry Watkins |
| Build Date: | 1912 |
| Owners: |
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| Racing Record: |
| EIYA CLASS L | 1954 |
| GAFF RIG POINT TROPHY | 1980 |
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| Comment: | Built by Hen(ry) V. Watkins (1864 – 1920), a carpenter in Bellport, New York. She was built in either his sisters, Hattie's (C.K. Shore), barn on New Jersey Avenue and Old Country Road or in his shop on Bell Street at the turn of the century. Frank Kramer, the Sail Master in Bellport, during both the summer and winter months, commissioned Hen Watkins to build 10 Ice-Scooters for winter residents. They were to be sailed as a one-design class for guests of the Wyandotte Hotel in Bellport. About eight or ten boats were built, one or two a year between 1903 and 1910. The price at that time was $110.oo. ECLIPSE was built for Charlie Bedford, an executive of Standard Oil Company.
Originally, the boat had a longer and lower rig with only two runners. She had two mast steps, one for a big rig and the other for a small heavy weather rig.
Charlie Bedford sold her to Ted Everett in February 1925, the same day that a total solar eclipse occurred over the northeast United States. Ted replaced all the spars, except the boom, which he says is original. He also changed the cockpit, making it U-shaped.
In the early 1960's he sold the boat to Kenny Rohl of Babylon. Kenny replaced the mast, which was originally a jib boom on the sailing yacht GERARD UNDERHILL, built by J. Olin Smith of Islip. It was then sold to a Mr. Brown of Riverhead, NY. Peter Zent of Bay Shore, NY purchased ECLIPSE in 1975, giving her a major refit and new Ulmer sails.
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2004 South Bay Scooter Club - All Rights Reserved