Opis:

DEFENDER  

Designed by David Pedrick and built by Newport Offshore as a contender to defend the Americas Cup in 1983.  Sailed by luminaries including Tom Blackaller, Gary Jobson, Mike Toppa, Paul Cayard she came up against Courageous and Liberty.  While proving very fast in light air, she ‘missed the cut’ to defend. 

Her last competitive outing prior to 2017 was in the New York Yacht Club Sesquicentennial in 1994 when, under charter by Gary Jobson she won her class.

After a colorful history including stints with three owners in Southern and Northern California, she returned to Florida in 2000.   Plans for restoring her to racing trim did not eventuate and she languished until purchased in 2010 by the owner of Victory 83. 

Commencing in the summer of 2010 she was ‘taken down’ completely.  The long list included removal of the engine and components then gutting’ the interior prior to soda blasting.  All the deck fittings were removed as were the ‘tailer tubs’, welded hatch covers and a welded companionway forward installed for compliance under USCG regulations for charter work.  Her rudder was removed and the bottom water blasted. 

Her rebuild continued through 2016/17; the ‘work list’ of five pages in length is available.  Rather than sail Victory 83 in the early season regattas, the owner chose to focus on Defender.  On June 8, 2017 after crossing the starting line for the first time in 23 years she proved to be competitive by winning the modern division in the NYYC Around-the-Island Race.  Her later win in the New York Yacht Club Queen's Cup confirmed that she was ready for competition.

Defender is ready to contend.