NY40 MARILEE: Restoration of a Herreshoff Classic

The 1926 Nathanael Herreshoff-designed NY40 MARILEE recently underwent a complete restoration by French & Webb in Belfast, Maine. This two-year-plus restoration was tremendously successful due to the collaborative effort of many artisans, engineers, curators and crew whose passion and commitment to the project were beyond compare. This was not your ‘typical’ restoration of a wooden classic. Modern innovations and engineering were combined with meticulous and artistic craftsmanship. With access to the original Herreshoff Manufacturing Company’s building plans and documents archived at MIT’s Hart Nautical Collections, This restoration turned out to be an amazing yacht with an equally amazing story.

This film has been made available to the public by the current custodian of MARILEE, with the purpose of sharing the amazing story of a piece of American history and the genius of the yacht designer, Nathanael Herreshoff.

Historical photos courtesy of: Hart Nautical Collections at the MIT Museum; Mystic Seaport Museum, Rosenfeld Collection; Leslie Jones Collection at the Boston Public Library; Herreshoff Museum Museum; Mariners' Museum of Newport News; Bedford Whaling Museum; Library of Congress

Copyright 2018 ©NY40 MARILEE RACING LLC
Copyright 2018 ©ALISON LANGLEY FILMS
Copyright 2018 ©ALISON LANGLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

[LM-cids]

Beautiful, without more words, from Buenos Aires Argentina, a big greeting to all.

[TimsBitsnPieces]

What a fantastic video. I have been following the lives, tales, stories, and yachts built by the Herreshoff family for many years. This is one of the best-presented documentaries that I have seen so far. I am an avid admirer of the Herreshoff built boats and hopefully one day I will have one myself. These are mesmerising yachts built with style and grace but yet built for a purpose of racing. You all have done a wonderful job of restoring her and keeping her alive for many more years to come. Well done to everyone. I built many years ago a scale model of Herreshoff's Landfall as a remote control model and still have it and use it often.

[chicobicalho]

I was thinking how Capt. Nat would have been blown away to witness this restoration, the dedication and all the incredible technology used for this perfect job. I suppose all of us are blown away by this!

[rwplace]

That is without doubt one of the most beautiful restorations I have seen. It is so good to see that type of craftsmanship alive and well and being carried out by what appeared to be a relatively young crew!

[lostinamerica]

Back in the mid 80's my wife and I were looking to purchase Rowdy, another NY40. The previous owner who was a yacht broker had started the restoration, changed plans and decided to sell it. There was a master cabinetmaker living onboard building the beautiful new traditional mahogany interior. I planned to finish the rigging and sail it from Newport Beach to SF Bay, where we'd finish the restoration, while also living aboard. Looking back I'm thankful another party purchased the boat and had the unlimited funds to restore her to a level she deserved, but every time I see her, or another NY40 in a magazine my heart skips a beat.

[northwind]

A new respect for those who build and now restore yachts.

[tomstopper]

‘Insanely beautiful’ could not be described any better.

[HDXBear]

Outstanding in every regard and detail. Very much a work of art to say the least.

[staxter]

The most outstanding realised vision I've seen, Beautifully crafted.

[floridasaltlife]

This documentary was absolutely mesmerizing from beginning to end, just a huge congratulations to all involved in caring for such a grand and important boat.

[mvdeehan]

Beautiful boat and well shown in this short documentary. Thank you.

[robertmiller]

The plain curator/digitize obviously love her subject, and is beautiful. Wow.

Boats, Technical/Engineering Data Mgt, 2D/3D Modeling, Wood, Metal, Tools...doesn’t get any better than that.

[tomharrell]

Wow what a wonderful beautiful boat! The design just transcends time and material. It look pleases onlooker, crew, owner and Neptune himself. Just gazing at her lines, curves and sheets is mesmerizing, relaxing and exciting all at the same moment binding the on looker to the boat and the sea. Just a glance at that boat and you feel the wind and water. Mr Herreschoff thank you for this magnificent creation.

[willy]

Terrific video. Superb craftsmanship. It's nice to know that someone is rich enough to pay the freight to restore a work of art like the Marilee. Drop dead gorgeous and clearly sails like a dream. Good luck in the Mediterranean.

[davidlester]

Wow. What craftmanship, what art. Truly outstanding.

[wadepatton]

With regard to digitizing the Herreshoff collection- FANTASTIC! The more there are the more we'll see and they're so magnificent.

[zorroonmilkavitch]

I restore houses antique houses I work alone and I stripped each house down to the original wood and I do one a year and when I get done it's gorgeous but I'm looking at this project and my jaw is dropping and I am just staggered at the beauty and the Integrity of this craftsmanship I feel as if I am definitely not alone in the world restoration that's for sure.

[MattBargain]

Just wow! Most beautiful boat I've ever seen. This must have cost millions. The owner is the CEO of a NYC advertising company. Sorry, i just had to look that up.. :)

[danknox]

Very much enjoyed your video. Thank you for sharing.