Every spring, Thunderhead goes into our harbor. She's been here longer than I have.
Designed by Philip Rhodes, she is a collaboration between a gifted designer at the height of his career and an experienced ocean racer owner, frozen in a time capsule from 1961.
Thunderheads most prominent feature is her 'dog house'. The real thing, this is where the word, 'dog house' came from. I can almost see the racer/owner, specifying his desires for this area, as he pictured himself on a race in rough conditions. Different times, different racers than today.
I'm convinced, both he and Rhodes saw this boat -in their minds eye- at sea, from this angle, waves crashing on deck.
Unusual feature (to me as I'm NOT an ocean racer), is the lack of a companionway. That is just forward of the dog house. Still, you could find comfort and protection under this dog house in nearly any condition. Says crew to me also, you couldn't stand at that helm in rough conditions, for long.
Thunderhead has a centerboard. A huge piece of bronze that I snapped a few years ago.
The design was popular so Rhodes was asked to design a sister ship or two. Rowena is for sale. Similar dog house, but she has a companionway below, as well as on deck.
These relics were race horses (sort of war horses), in their day. Still somebody's pride and joy.
Designed by Philip Rhodes, she is a collaboration between a gifted designer at the height of his career and an experienced ocean racer owner, frozen in a time capsule from 1961.
Thunderheads most prominent feature is her 'dog house'. The real thing, this is where the word, 'dog house' came from. I can almost see the racer/owner, specifying his desires for this area, as he pictured himself on a race in rough conditions. Different times, different racers than today.
I'm convinced, both he and Rhodes saw this boat -in their minds eye- at sea, from this angle, waves crashing on deck.
Unusual feature (to me as I'm NOT an ocean racer), is the lack of a companionway. That is just forward of the dog house. Still, you could find comfort and protection under this dog house in nearly any condition. Says crew to me also, you couldn't stand at that helm in rough conditions, for long.
Thunderhead has a centerboard. A huge piece of bronze that I snapped a few years ago.
The design was popular so Rhodes was asked to design a sister ship or two. Rowena is for sale. Similar dog house, but she has a companionway below, as well as on deck.
These relics were race horses (sort of war horses), in their day. Still somebody's pride and joy.
