“BERNICE” – Built in 1916 by Hodgdon Brothers in East Boothbay, Maine, to design by George Owen, renowned naval architect and early professor of naval architecture at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), she is believed to be the last surviving Owen “P-Class”.
“George Owen’s yachts could even be said to be beautiful, and this adjective could only be truthfully applied to a few things in this world.” L. Francis Herreshoff
In her early years, Bernice won numerous races and championships on the East Coast of the US. From 1919 on, she raced on the Great Lakes as part of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club’s fleet, winning virtually every major trophy there, starting with her inaugural 1919 race for the Prince of Wales Cup which was presented to her crew in person by HRH Edward, Prince of Wales, future King Edward VIII. Originally gaff-rigged, she was re-rigged as a marconi yawl in the 1930s. In 2007-2008, she underwent an 18-month restoration at Rockport Marine in Rockport, Maine (Wooden Boat Magazine No. 196), assisted by Wooden Boat Magazine’s technical editor as well as staff at the MIT Museum. The restoration involved a full rebuild of the structure, including steam bent oak frames, new back bone, and new bronze straps and standing rigging structure; replacement of a majority of the planking (she is double planked in mahogany and long leaf pine) and an entirely new 4 layer glued deck. Her interior was somewhat altered, in keeping with the original as much as possible, to convert a pure racer into a racer cruiser with comfortable accommodations for six, plus all systems were replaced and a new suite of sails was built by Doyle Sailmakers in strict keeping with her classic appearance and finish. Following this restoration, she won the Concours d’Elegance 1st place at Mystic Seaport’s Wooden Boat Show in both 2008 and 2009, and 1st place at New York Classic Week Concours d’Elegance in both 2009 and 2011, in addition to winning or placing within the top three in numerous classic boat regattas in New York and New England. She has always been beloved by those who own and race her, and she continues to be lovingly maintained by the present sellers.
