Dorade (yacht)

S/Y Dorade 2014 Bermuda Race
History
United States
Name	Dorade
Owner	Roderick Stephens, Sr, New York, United States
Port of registry	USA
Ordered	1929
Designer	Olin Stephens of Sparkman & Stephens
Builder	Minneford Yacht Yard, City Island, New York
Cost	$28,000
Yard number	S&S 07
Laid down	1929
Launched	1930
Homeport	Newport Beach, California
Status	Active
General characteristics [1]
Displacement	14.75 tons
Ballast	18,000 lbs. Lead
Length	52.0 ft (15.8 m)
Waterline	37 feet 3 inches (11.35 m)
Beam	10 feet 3 inches (3.12 m)
Draught	8.0 ft (2.4 m)
Propulsion	1 x Perkins: Diesel 40 hp (30 kW)
Rig	Yawl
Sail plan	1,100 sq ft (100 m2)

Dorade is a yacht designed in 1929 by Olin Stephens of Sparkman & Stephens and built 1929–1930 by the Minneford Yacht Yard in City Island, New York.

With Stephens as skipper, Dorade went on to place 2nd in the Bermuda Race later that year. The crew for its first race received the All-Amateur Crew Prize. However, it would be a year later, that Dorade made its name by winning the 1931 Transatlantic Race. She completed a race that takes an estimated 3–4 weeks in just 17 days, earning her crew a parade upon the boat's return and a reception for Olin Stephens hosted by the mayor of New York. While in England that summer, Dorade also won the Fastnet Race.

In 1932, Stephens handed the boat to his brother, Rod Stephens.^[2] Led by Rod, Dorade sailed to victory in the 1932 Bermuda Race.^[3] From Bermuda, Dorade sailed back to Norway, down to Cowes, England, and finally back to America after winning the Fastnet Race. The victory in the 1932 Fastnet Race was of substantial significance given the unusually severe weather, several ships feared missing as well as one recorded drowning among the events that unfolded.

In 2013, Dorade took first place (after applying her handicap) in the Trans-Pacific race, which she first won in 1936.^[4]

The yawl is also notable for the introduction of the Dorade box, a ventilator arrangement which became a standard fitting on small sailing craft.