Modernizing the International 110

First built in 1939, the International 110 refers to itself as the ‘worlds first sportboat’. At 24-feet, the double-endeder is sailed by a crew of two, with one on the trapeze, and feels like a dinghy but with the stability of a keel. While still popular in a handful of USA pockets, Joe Berkeley reports for Sailing World on how an injection of interest is underway:

There must be something in the soil at Point Farm in Warren, Rhode Island. On this land, Steve Clark has reaped everything from traditional dories to C-class catamarans to International Canoes, and all sorts of genetically modified vessels in between. His latest crop is a brand-new International 110 crafted from sheets of mere marine plywood.

Members of the International 110 class talked about the creation of a kit boat for decades. When Clark rejoined the class, the dream became reality in short order. As the ­previous co-owner of Vanguard Sailboats, Clark was accustomed to building 3,000 sailboats per year. In the glory days, it took his firm about 18 hours to build a Sunfish.

Why is he putting his time and talent into building a kit for a one-design first built in 1939? With a mischievous grin, Clark says: “It’s the same reason why a dog licks his balls. Because he can.” At the age of 69, Clark is retired and still enjoys boatbuilding. He came back to the 110 because he saw it as a “geezer Canoe.” – Full report