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” 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.
In 1991 she came into the ownership of the Pease Classic Charter Company Inc., comprising a Chatham boatyard 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 the owner died, and the arrangement with Pease Boat Yard came to an end.
Having acquired Infanta in the autumn of 2006 the new owners shipped her to the UK in early 2007 and have undertaken the extensive refit and renewal throughout the winter of 07/08. She was then sailed under the British Classic Yacht Club commodore burgee.
Race honours and prizes
1993 Best of Sail Restoration Award: Museum of Yachting, Newport, Rhode Island
First Place: Sails Around the Cape (new course record)
First Place Class “G”: Nantucket – Hyannis Figawi Race Past Winner: Newport Classic Yacht Regatta
2000 First Place: Nantucket – Hyannis Figawi Race
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
Transat Classique Lagasse – Trophee de lelegance
2014 Taking part in Corfu Classic Classic Yacht Race and Spetses Classic Yacht Regatta
Information courtesy of www.infanta.co.uk
2019
Infanta takes part in the New York Yacht Club 175th Anniversary celebrations.
