Corinthian Classic Regatta Ups and Downs
August 14, 2023
Conflicting feelings arise when the team has sailed well but things haven’t played out according to plan…and then there’s a protest.
Two Trophies for Dorade at New York Yacht Club 169th Annual Regatta
June 24, 2023
Opening the 2023 season with a win in the shortened Around the Island Race, Dorade went on to finish a close second in the buoy racing portion of the regatta
The Stephens Brothers’ Early Years, as Featured in The New Yorker (1957)
March 22, 2023
In a two-part magazine feature story, Morton Hunt tells the remarkable story of Olin and Rod Stephens rise to success, a story starring our favorite 52′ yawl
Classic Trophies Awarded to Dorade in 2022
January 29, 2023
Vintage yachts deserve vintage silverware! At least that’s what the New York Yacht Club decided when they began repurposing these extraordinary trophies in recent years.
Dorade’s Summer of 2022
December 31, 2022
Dorade and her veteran team dealt with their share of challenges, but made the most of the opportunities of racing throughout New England
Flashback to the Flood Era
June 2, 2022
The second chapter of Dorade’s career began in the mid-’30s when she was sold to James Flood of San Francisco
Highs and Lows of Classic Summer Sailing
November 12, 2021
Last summer’s sailing wasn’t always about winning on the competitive New England circuit, but Team Dorade was pumped up to get out there racing again.
Dorade Scores Third at Tiedemann Regatta
June 28, 2021
Recovering from a 5th in the first race, Team Dorade found its way to the podium in a competitive classics regatta.
Back on the Water, Dorade Wins 167th Annual Regatta
June 22, 2021
Victory in the country’s oldest regatta was sweet but simply sailing Dorade with a crew of long-time friends was even sweeter.
Speed Build: New Winches, Faster Bottom
February 18, 2021
This winter’s feature projects are a more perfect bottom and a complete new Harken winch package to give Dorade an edge on the racecourse.
What Dorade Does in a Dry Spell
September 2, 2020
Despite never being launched, Dorade spent the summer staying wet, inside two tents.
Varnish Under the Tent
May 21, 2020
Mike Fletcher’s varnish and paint crew spent another vigorous spring keeping Dorade beautiful.
Dorade and Stormy Weather
March 16, 2020
This comparison first appeared in the October, 1935 edition of The Rudder magazine.
Team Dorade Sets Sights on 2020
February 20, 2020
The team has planned a busy schedule of racing in Southern New England this summer.
Tie-Breaker at the Newport Classic Yacht Regatta
September 9, 2019
Light winds challenged the fleet in Newport, where Dorade traded firsts with the Herreshoff-designed Spartan.
First Again at the Herreshoff Classic
August 26, 2019
A breezy race on upper Narragansett Bay tested Team Dorade’s sailhandling skills and ultimately led to victory.
Dorade First Among Vintage Classics at Nantucket
August 19, 2019
The classic fleet moved offshore to compete in the two-day Nantucket Regatta and the wooden-boat classic, the Opera House Cup.
175th Anniversary Regatta, Day Five: Dorade Earns Second-Place
July 22, 2019
On the last day of a hard-fought week of racing in lighter and stronger winds, the series went to a worthy rival, the S&S 55 Santana.
175th Anniversary Regatta, Day Four: When Tonnage Takes Over
July 20, 2019
A close call at the start of the second race added intensity to a day of already-close competition with Santana.
175th Anniversary Regatta, Day Three: Rainy Day at Dorade Café
July 18, 2019
A wet day of northeasterlies set the stage for more tussling with Santana, this time amidst 12-Metre traffic. Coffee played a role, too.
175th Anniversary Regatta, Day Two: On the Right Side
July 17, 2019
Working the right side of the two upwind legs was a key to success on the regatta’s second day.
175th Regatta, Day One: A Sweet Sea Breeze
July 15, 2019
The website editor goes sailing with Team Dorade during the New York Yacht Club’s 175th Anniversary Regatta.
Leather on the Blocks
May 16, 2019
The elk hide block covers were worn out and it was time for new leather. A closer look at what’s involved.
Brooks Appointed to Board of Pilot Commissioners
December 20, 2018
Dorade’s owner, Matt Brooks, has been appointed to California’s Board of Pilot Commissioners, following in his father’s footsteps.
NYYC Cruise: Dorade Wins Astor Cup
August 14, 2018
On a rainy sunday, the Dorade team had one race, sailed well, and won the Astor Cup with NYYC Rear Commodore Chris Culver at the helm.
Women Skippers Set the Pace at Onion Patch
July 2, 2018
Swift and Dorade won the two divisions of the Onion Patch Series, skippered by Paige Krumweide and Pam Rorke Levy, respectively.
Dorade Wins Navigator Division of 2018 Onion Patch Series and Overall at Anniversary Regatta
June 25, 2018
The Onion Patch features the Newport Bermuda Race, New York YC 164th Annual Regatta and Royal Bermuda YC Anniversary Regatta.
Newport Bermuda Race: Evolving Fleet Competes for the Dorade Trophy
June 24, 2018
Named for the deck vent designed by the Stephens brothers, the Dorade Trophy features a beautifully aged vent mounted on teak decking.
Dorade Finishes the Newport Bermuda Race!
June 20, 2018
The 666nm Newport to Bermuda race may have been one of the lighter wind years but the competition was still fierce.
Dorade at the 164th NYYC Annual Regatta
June 13, 2018
The team took the class win for Friday’s Around the Island Race and fifth in class in Saturday and Sunday’s racing (both in ORR-Navigator Class).
CURRENT CAMPAIGN
Dorade box
The dorade box (also called a dorade vent, or collector box) is a type of vent that permits the passage of air in and out of the cabin of a boat, while keeping rain, spray or sea wash out. The basic form is a low, rectangular box fixed to the deck or cabin top, fitted […]
DESIGNED BY OLIN STEPHENS IN 1929
After Olin and Rod Stephens’ grandfather sold the family coal business in 1929, their father, Roderick Stephens Sr., commissioned S&S design Number 7, a 52-foot yawl, which became Dorade. Dorade was designed late in 1929 by Olin Stephens and was launched from the Minneford Yacht Yard in May of 1930. Construction oversight was by Olin’s younger brother, Rod.
MISSION
[NEEDS TO BE REVISED] Dorade was born to race in the open ocean. The goal for our current restoration and future sailing is to prepare Dorade to once again perform as a highly competitive ocean racer. To this end, I think it is essential that we work and consult with S&S, while continuing to rely on the advice, input and involvement of the current Dorade Team. By fostering active collaboration between Dorade’s original designer’s and her current keepers we will ensure that her history is honored and her lineage protected. We all acknowledge that Dorade is a very special craft, and all of us are committed to her preservation.
PRESS
Dorade and Stormy Weather
March 16, 2020
Dorade’s Owners Receive Distinguished Service Award
October 30, 2019
My Life in Boats: Matt Brooks
December 10, 2018
Windcheck Magazine July 2018 Feature
July 30, 2018
Dorade in SAIL Magazine
April 30, 2018
Dorade in Rolex Spirit of Yachting
April 2, 2018
Ocean Cruising Club Features Dorade
February 12, 2018
Latitude 38 Features Dorade
February 9, 2018
Rolex World of Yachting Covers Dorade
January 30, 2018
CNN Mainsail Features Dorade
January 11, 2018
Afloat Ireland Features Dorade
January 9, 2018
Giornale della Vela Features Dorade
January 7, 2018
Windcheck Features Dorade
January 3, 2018
The Australian: Sydney-Hobart: History made in sailpast of the century
December 24, 2017
The Australian: Ocean racing royalty comes to the Sydney-Hobart
December 23, 2017
Stuff New Zealand Features Dorade
November 9, 2017
Rolex Sydney Hobart Features Dorade in Countdown Article
November 7, 2017
Scuttlebutt Sailing Features Dorade
August 25, 2017
My Sailing AUS Featured Dorade
August 25, 2017
Dorade Featured in Sailing Illustrated
August 22, 2017
Audi Hamilton Island Race Week Features Dorade
May 4, 2017
Current Issue of Seahorse Magazine featuring Rod Stephens
December 7, 2016
Mystic Seaport Online Exhibit on Olin J. Stephens II
September 2, 2016
Scuttlebutt Sailing: August 2016
August 11, 2016
The Ellsworth American: August 3, 2016
August 5, 2016
Dorade in 1941 Santa Cruz Sentinel
July 28, 2016
Sparkman & Stephens Association
May 25, 2016
Castine Patriot: April 14, 2016
April 20, 2016
Sail Couture: Dorade Adored
March 16, 2016
CCA GAM Fall 2015
December 29, 2015
Investor’s Business Daily features Olin Stephens
November 24, 2015
Seahorse Magazine November 2015
October 6, 2015
SAILING October 2015
October 1, 2015
Spirit of Yachting “Rite of Passage”
September 29, 2015
CNN Mainsail Feature August 2015
September 16, 2015
Classic Boat Magazine October 2015
September 9, 2015
Latitude 38 July 2015
September 1, 2015
Yachts International August 2015
August 24, 2015
Yachting Magazine 1933 features Dorade at Fastnet
August 11, 2015
Classic Boat Magazine Feature
July 27, 2015
RECENT PHOTOS
“The scenario must be as old as sport. Competition builds along certain lines which suit the participants and thus a norm is established. From year to year marginal advances are the rule. Then along comes someone, something of an outsider and more single-minded in his efforts to win, who seizes an opportunity that is obvious to him though unrecognized by
the routine participants. The new player exploits a new way that offers a winning margin. I have wondered whether this is good for the sport, yet I recognize it as part of the game. It keeps competitors on their toes. In 1929 I sensed the opening.”
-Olin Stephens
RECENT CAMPAIGNS
2018
NEW ENGLAND SUMMER
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2017
DOWN UNDER
The ambitious program consisted of seven races off the southern coast of Australia, including the formidable Rolex Sydney Hobart Race in December 2017.
2013-2015
RETURN TO BLUE WATER
Their goal of the campaign was to repeat all of the major ocean races the yacht had won in the 1930s, matching or bettering her original performance.
FOLLOW DORADE ON SOCIAL
Smiles across the board as the crew celebrates their historic victory in Diamond Head. In addition to owner Matt Brooks, the 2013 Transpac Dorade crew included Matt Wachowicz, Kevin Miller, Ben Galloway, Hannah Jenner, John Hays, and Eric Chowansky.
📸: Doug Gifford/ @sharon_green_ultimatesailing
#doradeyacht #classicyacht #transpacificrace #transpac #diamondhead #hawaii @sparkman_and_stephens @transpacrace
It takes work to look this good! The crew varnishes the brightwork after the 1931 Fastnet Race.
📸: Unknown
#rolexfastnetrace #doradeyacht #classicyacht #classicyachtregatta #fastnetrock #rodstephens @sparkman_and_stephens
A different kind of race. Rod Stephens perches on the headstay looking for wind during Dorade's 1931 Fastnet Race victory.
[📸: Unknown]
#rolexfastnetrace #doradeyacht #classicyacht #classicyachtregatta #fastnetrock #rodstephens @sparkman_and_stephens
The goal of Dorade's "Return to Blue Water" campaign was to repeat all of the major ocean races the yacht had won in the 1930s, matching or bettering her original performance in the Transatlantic, Newport Bermuda, Fastnet, and TransPacific. In this photo, Matt's at the helm at the beginning of the 2013 Transpac Race.
[📸: Doug Gifford/ @sharon_green_ultimatesailing ]
#doradeyacht #classicyacht #transpacificrace #transpac @sparkman_and_stephens @transpacrace
This month, we begin our look back at the 2013 Transpacific Yacht Race in the lead-up to the 10th anniversary of Dorade's historic win. Staggered starts begin on June 27th for this biennial offshore yacht race, a run of 2,225 nautical miles that starts off the Pt. Fermin buoy in San Pedro, California, and ends off Diamond Head on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Today's photo was taken near the 2013 finish.
[📸: @sharon_green_ultimatesailing ]
#doradeyacht #classicyacht #transpacificrace #transpac #oahu #hawaii #diamondhead @sparkman_and_stephens @transpacrace
One of Dorade's first forays out under new ownership, Matt steers at Sail for Hope Regatta in Newport, RI in 2010, coming in 1st in the Classic Division.
[📸: Pam Rorke Levy]
#doradeyacht #classicyacht #classicyachtregatta #sailforhoperegatta #newportri @sparkman_and_stephens @classicyachtoa @sailnewportri