Mamaroneck, New York:  The 12 metre Yacht Development Foundation was established in 2006 in Greenwich, CT for the acquisition, restoration, and preservation of historic America’s Cup 12 metre yachts. They have turned to Derecktor to make sure the job is done right, beginning with the refit of Lionheart.  The Foundation’s goal is to foster appreciation of the rich maritime history behind the 12 metre class by providing the “hands-on” thrill of sailing actual 12 metre America’s Cup yachts. Their philosophy is to maintain these proud yachts as working boats in order to make them available for use to a wide variety of groups, including local sailing enthusiasts, corporate patrons, schools, charitable events, youth sailing programs and yacht clubs. 12 meter yachts in the Foundation:
US-17 Weatherly – 1962 America’s Cup Winner, US-18 Easterner – 1958 America’s Cup Contender, US-19 Nefertiti – 1962 America’s Cup Contender, US-21 American Eagle – Ted Turners famous ‘Twelve’, US-22 Intrepid – Legendary two-time Winner ’67 & ’70, US-27 Enterprise – 1977 America’s Cup Contender, US-30 Freedom – 1980 America’s Cup Winner, US-46 America II – 1987 America’s Cup Contender, US-42 America II,  and K18 Lionheart.

Twelve-meter boats have been called “the thoroughbreds of the sea,” an apt enough analogy, though the upkeep of a 12, is more expensive than that of any horse and included is the challenge of maintaining all working and nonworking parts of the boat in their original condition.

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Derecktor New York, Derecktor’s corporate headquarters and original shipyard, was established in 1947 and for over 60 years has been building and maintaining  sailboats, among them a number of 12 metres including the  Cup winning Stars and Stripes, Interpid, Courageous and Valiant.  Today the yard specializes in restoration, refit and service of fine sailboats and motor yachts.

The first a in long list of upcoming projects for Derecktor to complete for the 12 metre yacht Development Foundation was a refit for Lionheart. Lionheart – K-18 is the latest acquisition and restoration project to the growing 12mYDF fleet. K-18 is a modern America’s Cup class 12m designed by Ian Howlett and built by Joyce Marine Shipyards of Southhampton, UK in 1978 for Peter d’ Savary’s British America’s Challenger syndicate for the 1980 America’s Cup in Newport, Rhode Island. Lionheart is a single helm 67’ LOA, 54,000lb racing sloop with 12.5ft beam and draft of 9’, constructed of Aluminium.

Lionheart’s recent work was completed before race season at the Mamaroneck yard, “Most of the work we did was on the mast. We fabricated and installed external aluminum stiffeners on the mast to replace the internal stiffeners that had disintegrated over the years.  To maximize the structural integrity of the mast, the stiffeners were glued and fastened rather than being welded.  Work on the boat included improving the existing bilge pump system and servicing the deck hardware.” commented Stephen Champtaloup Derecktor Mamaroneck Yard Manager

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Patrick J. Sikorski, founder of the 12 metre program was thrilled with the results “I would only go to Derecktor to maintain our 12 metres.  They are willing to turn the yard upside down to make sure our boats are ready for a race and are capable of making any part we may need on site.”

Preserving the Twelves The 12m Yacht Development Foundation

The 12m Yacht Development Foundation (12mYDF) has embarked upon their most ambitious season to date, with a match and fleet racing series, sail camps and clinics for junior sailors on Long Island Sound, participation in classic yacht events from New York City to Nantucket, and spring and fall regattas in their homeport of Greenwich, CT.

“The Foundation was established in 2006, and our mission is to acquire, restore and preserve historic America’s Cup 12 Metre boats and their racing heritage,” said 12mYDF Executive Director Patrick Sikorski. “We’re a member of the International Twelve Metre Association, a syndicate of 12 Metre owners all over the world. That’s good for finding spare parts, and it provides camaraderie to organize events in North America, the Med, the Baltic and the Caribbean to race these old boats and exchange information.”