Sparkman & Stephens

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Sparkman & Stephens is firm of yacht designers based in Skaneateles, New York, USA. They achieved great success in the middle of the twentieth century, particularly for their racing yachts.

Their designs won most of the major international yacht races for several decades, including a string of victories in the Fastnet, Sydney to Hobart races. Built by some of the most respected boatbuilders, Sparkman & Stephens designs were highly regarded not just for their speed, but for their elegance and suitability for cruising.

During World War II the company was employed to design the hulls for the invaluable DUKW 'army duck' and the Ford GPA amphibious jeep.

Their success was eclipsed in the 1970s by the rise of a new generation of yacht designers, notably Ron Holland and Doug Peterson.

[edit] History

Sparkman & Stephens Inc was formally created on November 11, 1929, with five partners: Drake Sparkman and his younger brother James, James Murray, and Olin and Rod Stephens.

The new firm's first designs were racing yachts of the six-metre class. These were followed by a 52' yawl, Dorade, launched in 1930 for Rod and Olin's father. Dorade won the 1931 Trans-Atlantic Race and the 1931 Fastnet race, her success sealing the firm's reputation.