This title tells the fascinating story of the boat that changed the face of ocean racing, and her colourful 80-year history. This is the definitive history of the boat many people consider the greatest ocean racing yacht of the 20th century. It begins with Roderick Stephens, Sr. who invested his reputation and fortune to help his sons Olin and Rod, design and build an ocean racer to compete against the finest yachts of the day. The result was Dorade, a 52-foot yawl launched in May 1930.

But it was the 1931 Transatlantic Race, which, under Olin’s command, she won in 16 days and one hour – two days ahead of the second placed yacht – that set her name firmly in the annals of yachting history – and changed forever the face of ocean racing yacht design.

In the eight decades since, she has been actively raced and restored under the ownership of a host of colourful and devoted custodians. This is her story, from stem to stern, related with affection, accuracy, and eloquence by a sailor who has sutured together the many strands, both verbal and visual, of a great yacht’s life. (Amazon review)

Click here to read about Dorade’s 2013 Transpac win.