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Marionette is O'Day Hull #12. I bought her in 1995 from the CT River Museum in Essex, CT. After 10 years on the hard in a small CT River marina, she had been donated for the Museum’s annual fund raising auction. The minimum bid was $2000 and no one bid for her. Here she is all dressed up at Mystic Seaport in 2004 for the S&S 75th Anniversary as representative for the Dolphin 24 Class. Click here for larger image.
The following story, with a few irrelevant details changed, has been told a few thousand times and this one is true - too. On a December late afternoon, lightly raining (of course), I passed by the Museum and noticed this poor boat sitting in their rear parking lot under a torn tarp (naturally) with a For Sale sign hanging lopsidedly from the bow pulpit. (Is the set up right?) I had retired early from the ‘game’ and was riding around the Essex boat yards looking for a boat to buy and restore - one that I could single hand and maybe race occasionally. In the dim light :-) I liked her lines so I found a ladder nearby and climbed aboard. The hatch was open, the sole was wet and rain water had half filled the bilge. I found a hand pump in a seat locker, pumped her dry, crawled around the deck, fixed the tarp, went below, sat on the starboard settee and looked around. So began Marionette's new life.
I found out from a staff person inside that she was a Dolphin 24 but that if I wanted any additional information I would have to call a Museum Director who was handling her. Dolphins were quite popular in eastern Long Island Sound in the 60's and 70's and I have an old friend, Stan Secora who was a marine architect and was the first owner of Jato, Hull # 7. So I called him. From my description he recognized the boat from years past racing against her. He thought she had been well cared for, and that it could be an ideal boat for my plans. Thinking I had a real bargain coming, that evening I called the Director, introduced myself and gave him the reason for my call. He stopped me in mid sentence and said “before you go any further, I am a former Dolphin owner myself and I know that, sooner or later someone will come by who knows what a Dolphin is, and will recognize what a good value this boat is for $2000. We are not going to take a penny less”. So, I bit my lip and said I’ll take her.
Marionette's story' is a bit unique in that she is a hybrid Dolphin with a fiberglass hull, otherwise all wood. It seems that in May, 1960, or thereabouts, there was a fire or some kind of problem at the Marscot Plastics/O'Day Fall River, MA plant that damaged some of the molds. These molds produced the deck, cabin and cockit in one piece, and the 2 half hulls separately that were latter bonded together. When Stan picked up his boat on May 30, 1960 the 1/2 hull sets for Dolphin #’s 11, 12, and 14 were in the yard. Production on new boats was interrupted, and as one version of the story goes, stopped. O'Day subsequently sub-contracted the next 25 Dolphins to Lunn Laminates in Long Island. This saga is discussed in more detail in the history section. The aforementioned 3 hulls were sold to 3 guys who were or became members of the Pequot YC in Southport, CT. One of these was a complete shell - Clark DuBois' Peridot, Hull # 14, the other 2 were the hulls only - John McCalley's Windsong, #11, and the other was Hull #12
 Hull # 12's guy was a Phil Zeraga who had no prior boat building experience. Sometime in the summer/fall of 1960 he picked up the bare hull at the plant, the 2 half hulls now bonded together, and brought her home to Southport, CT. He named her Teal and propped her up on poppits under a ridgepole and tarp. Then over the fall and winter months he built a beautiful wood boat on that shell - to me an amazing feat. I had always meant to track Phil down and talk to him but never got around to it. The decision to go forward with this website made this mandatory. After several weeks of searching I found Phil and finally got to talk with him. Gradually, I am getting the story of how he did it. Teal was launched August 12, 1961. Phil's son Mark stopped by the house to deliver some pictures of Teal and her construction. Click here to see them.
My 1995 restoration goal was simple. Set her up for single handed cruising and short handed racing, with weight control and traditional appearance major considerations.
WARNING: There is a lot of detail here - more than anyone, other that a minutia starved Dolphin owner, could ever endure.
NOTE: Cost considerations were in the mix but this is a relative thing – having got her for $2000 means the minimal initial investment expense can forever be used as a defense against the inevitable “in house” complaints about where this restoration project is going. And, remember, your significant other will not be able to contain her remorse at her earlier recriminations when she, at anchor with you on a late summer afternoon in West Harbor, Cuttyhunk , Nantucket, or Camden (I’ll get to those Great Lakes, southern and west coast equivalent haunts when you Yankee and Pacific Dolphin owners tell me about them) and, sipping her nicely chilled chardonnay, watches another couple, motoring in to the dock from their 40’ gleaming white, $400K Odyssey Princess or whatever, change course to pass by your stern to say those famous Dolphin words ‘Pretty Boat”! Priceless. Webmaster Note: There are other acceptable terms besides "Pretty Boat" that convey this sentiment. Click here for another version on this message.
Starting from the transom, a view that many larger boats have seen - this boat has no stern pulpit – which I like. It can race without one under the ‘grandfather’ clause. I have a heavy ring mounted on the backstay to which I can, and do as racing conditions warrant or when single handing, connect snap shackle fitted lifelines from the aft stanchions. Click here for a large view.
I do not have a "before" picture, and I did not take 'restoration' pictures - this will get me in big trouble with the webmaster. Marionette has a solid mahogany cabin trunk varnished inside and out, with mahogany coamings, toe rail and cockpit trim. The plywood deck and top of the cabin was dynel(?) covered and ripped in places when I got her. She has a large main hatch and a two panel hatch in the transom deck – both made of mahogany plywood with mahogany trim. The transom locker inside has a molded opening in the hull for an outboard, storage space on either side for gas tanks, a sealed bulkhead separating it from the quarter berths, a removable panel separating the locker from the cockpit, and a heavy plug that fits neatly in the hull opening for when the outboard is not in use. The panel stores on the side of the cockpit well when access is needed to the engine. More on the transom locker and egine related stuff later. She had bronze genoa track on top of her toe rail and old style bronze winches mounted on built up mahogany pads outside of and bolted to the coaming.
 I installed a new ball bearing traveler with control blocks and cam cleats so that it can be controlled from the weather side. I kept the old heavy, bronze, folding double handle, back stay adjuster but one day I will change this to a multipart block system adjustable from the cockpit – when I can figure out a satisfactory way to lead the control lines back to the cockpit without making too many holes in the deck, messing up the rear deck hatch and traveler, and being able to easily adjust the backstay while sitting on either the port or starboard side. Meanwhile, the adjustable back stay stays mostly unadjusted…This picture shows the Autohelm 1000 custom bracket (later) and the pin socket where the Autohelm mounts.
I use a 4hp Johnson 2 cycle outboard that, when not in use is stored, prop end in first, in a 4 foot long, 12” dia heavy wall plastic drainage pipe located under the bridge deck/cockpit and fastened to the starboard side quarter berth locker wall. The mounting screws on the motor can clamp the head to the pipe but this is not necessary as I use a heavy shock cord which is all I need.. Coupled with the companionway step system we have – discussed later – this storage system has been very satisfactory. Click here to see a more detailed discussion of the motor storage, companionway steps, bridgedeck lockers, electric panel and cooler which are all in this same area.
The motor, which I also use as a dinghy motor when cruising, weighs 32 lbs and with its Power Prop drives the boat at 4.7 knots, no headwind and flat water. This meets the Off Soundings Club rule that the auxiliary power be capable of driving the boat at 80% of hull speed in these conditions – it does, just. A 3 gal tank I use for racing runs for 5 hours at full throttle. Subject to conditions I use 20 nm as the planning range. I have two 3 gallon and two 6 gallon plastic tanks. When cruising I usually carry a 3 gallon and a 6 gallon tank that store on either side of the transom locker. The 3 gallon tank is easy to move into the dinghy. Click here for a larger view and more on the transom locker and hatch, engine mount and plug.
I could have bought a long shaft motor, and sometimes I wish I had, but since I planned to use the motor as a dinghy motor as well, another compromise had to be made. I can reverse if I have to by twisting the motor but I, and my back, have never regretted not purchasing a motor with a reverse gear – an extra 33 lbs! I have many times wished I had an inboard, and many times have been glad I don’t have one. I raced Atlantics for nearly 20 years – they are Starling Burgess designed classic 30 footers and don’t have any power. (For more on Atlantics click here) I am comfortable with sailing in and out of slips – guests and observers are often less enthusiastic. Anyway, Marionette made the decision for me – she did not have an inboard. A brand new light diesel installed is the cost of a 2 week vacation in Provence where the red ocher cliffs are – more on this later.
 I have an Autopilot 1000 that mounts on a pin that fits to a flush mounting pad in the starboard seat and connects to the tiller via a custom bracket (click for a close up view) on the tiller). Otto is a great crew, a best friend, works well, is reliable and does not drink my beer. He gets his juice from a 12 volt outlet in back of the bridge deck. I have been known to inadvertently kick the cord out of its socket but nothing is perfect. The location of the outlet facilitates use of the 12 volt spotlight - that I almost never use. I also have a portable spotlight - I don't use that one either.
The control line for the centerboard winch exits at the back of the bridge deck, through a cam cleat with the excess line stored over a winch handle holder mounted right next to it. The jib sheets are led from the winches to cam cleats mounted on the inside edge of the cockpit seats making tacking and sheet adjustments for a single hander, or even when racing with crew, very easy. The bronze winches, as nice as they were, weigh a ton and were replaced with Lewmar #8s. I bought these new at a Defender’s back room sale for $75 - the pair! Sometimes I wish I had the next larger size, self tailing, and double speed, but when I think this I remember that I should have already changed to a smaller jib! Besides, $75!!
The spinnaker twing lines, when set up, lead from small Harken blocks that shackle to rope eyes tied to the bottom of the upper shroud turnbuckle, then to a deck mounted block in front of the winch pads, then to a cam cleat mounted near the top of the outside edge of the coaming. Not perfect but I did not want a pass-through hole on the bottom edge of the coaming. The mast has 2 turning blocks at the bottom of the mast. The main halyard and jib halyards can be led through these blocks to cam cleats mounted at the back edge of the cabin top. When racing with crew we use this set up for the spinnaker halyard and topping lifts. Webmaster Note: This subject of running rigging for a a Dolphin spinnaker was brought up on the Forum. Click here for a rough sketch and more detail on Marionette's set up.
Large Harken spinnaker turning blocks are mounted on pads near the transom corners and genoa turning blocks a foot further forward. Sliding Garhauer SS track blocks mount on the bronze toe rail outboard track. Unfortunately this track does not run past the forward edge of the coaming so when reaching with a genoa the lead cannot be moved forward past this spot. Someday I’ll fix this.
 In this picture John Rousmaniere, at the 2004 S&S 75th Anniversary competition for best yacht restoration, is examining this track problem. Click for a larger image and more on this story. Webmaster Note : Bolero, the winner, had the luxury of a $2MM face lift a few months earlier. I did install a short inboard track right next to the cabin trunk in line with the shrouds which I think John liked. I have a small heavy cloth Altantic jib that sheets in real tight to a block on this track and is one of my best sails in a breeze – except it is so heavy that I have to roll it to store– a pain in the neck.
Speaking of sails I have a ‘newish’ Farrar Sails built, high roach, long batten, main, a light 170% and a heavier 140% genoa – the latter a real workhorse, a small working jib – practically useless when trying to point but nice close reaching, the Atlantic jib, a wonderful high pointing sail, and 3 spinnakers. The ‘new’ one is a red monster, a dead downwind maxed sail that Farrar also built. In a light breeze it is like an after burner on a Dolphin.
Up forward on the port side is a 9’ aluminum spinnaker pole mounted in deck fittings. There is also a set of traditional Danforth bronze deck storage anchor fittings, a bronze deck fitting for the anchor line, and another bronze screw type ventilator for the anchor locker.
The forward hatch above the forward ‘cabin’ (maybe this term is a bit ostentatious for a Dolphin, after all it is also the head) is painted the same color as the deck and has mahogany trim. Mounted in this hatch is a solar/battery powered stainless steel vent that runs continuously. It does not have an on/off switch and the fan hum can be annoying at night. The fix is a ball point pen or anything nearby of the right size, jammed in to stop the fan – this does not seem to harm it in any way. Its been operating for 10 years with only 2 rechargeable battery replacements.
Deck color – this NOT pink! All this varnish work required the proper background deck color, plus it had to be historically correct. First I removed all the hardware and stanchions, stripped off the dynel, and repaired a few soft spots in the deck. I bonded a thick fiberglass plate under the mast step. Then I sanded, epoxied coated and resanded the decks and cabin top. Then came the paint job. This deck is Red Ochre, patiently researched by the writer at the Blunt Library at Mystic Seaport, based on the red ochre paints the 17th-19th century French boat builders used. Then this was custom matched and mixed from a high quality Benjamin Moore alkyd enamel base by our local hardware store’s paint dept – as this color is not available at any price from a marine paint supplier – color # 2A23-4 Claret Jug?! Readers of the late Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey series should need not be reminded that in the wooden boat era the British Navy always highly regarded a French prize because their ships were so well built, were beautiful to look at, and carried excellent wines…
Before I go below I must say a word about Dinghies. I have 2, an inflatable and ‘Teer, who deserves her own page. Her picture is worth a thousand words. Click on her name to find out more..
Down below, Marionette has a traditional looking main cabin, off white cabin top and hull sides, paneled doors, seats, varnished trunk cabin and trim. The sole plywood is painted burgandy so wine spills don't show. I can't seem to find any pictures but will get some. There is a galley to port that had, when I got her, a small ‘refrigerator’ below the counter. I removed the refrigerator and replaced it with a single seat. Below and behind this seat are dedicated galley lockers. The seat converts to a shelf for a single burner stove at the same counter level as the galley sink forward of it. The sink has a neat bronze hand pump I found in a used marine parts store. It is connected to a 10 gallon flexible tank beneath the port quarter berth.
To starboard, there is a small 2 seat settee with a hanging locker forward of that. I modified the hanging locker to accept shelves – sometimes I wish I kept it as a hanging locker. I modified the settee so it can convert to a small, if rather snug, table for 2, or a chart table, or even a table for 4 with its unique leaf system. This picture taken from the forward cabin looking aft shows the table. In the foreground to the left is the locker containing shelves that used to be the hanging locker. Click for a larger view of Marionette's Table and lots more details, including the seating for four option.
Above the seat backs and galley, on both sides, are shelves with mahogany fiddles. Aft there are 2 quarter berths with lockers below. In the starboard side quarter berth locker is a single Group 31, 105A AGMbattery and a mounted, but portable, battery charger. (click here to see this set up in detail) I wired 6 cabin lights back to a panel I installed in the bridgedeck.
The companionway steps are ingenious - a previous owner built them. They consists of two simple, 1” mahogany boards.The lower board slides into cutouts in the trim pieces on the edges of the quarter berths. The upper board is suspended by large diameter ropes fastened to rings in the bridgedeck bulkhead. It rests against the bulkhead and the pipe through which runs the centerboard uphaul wire, secured by removable pins. This system is secure, very light, looks good, and is easily removable to access the wide open storage spaces under the bridgedeck and cockpit. Click here for pictures and more on these steps.
The refrigerator was replaced by your basic removable top, small cooler that fits on the port side under the lower companionway step between the quarter berth locker and the centerboard uphaul wire pipe. When I got Marionette the space below the bridgedeck and behind the first companionway step was totally open except for the centerboard uphaul winch. In this space I built a full width multiple compartment locker with panel doors that houses all the boat’s winch handles and extra blocks on the port side, the up haul winch, and an electrical panel on the starboard side. If I had to do this again – and I may – I would have no electrical panel. First, this panel location below the companionway is susceptible to rain and wave spray. I use an oil lamp a lot, and what few cabin lights I need could be local battery powered LED type lights. More on this in a later technical discussion. Click here for pictures of both the cooler and panel.
There is a large mahogany encased internal arch that supports the mast and that divides the main cabin from the forward cabin. This makes for an open, large cabin feeling in a Dolphin - we are speaking here in relative terms...The V-berth has a standard pump out head under the aft center section which is plumbed directly to a custom built holding tank in the forward vee of the hull under the v-berth. We have legal, lockout plumbing, and a rule that, when racing, this tank is EMPTY. There are fill in boards at the aft end that make the V berth very comfortable for two. The fact that the head is underneath the sleeping accomodations is an occasional complication - but not for a male singlehander....
I built a removable partition with mahogany vent louvers to separate the V-berth from the anchor locker in the peak. There are full length mahogany trimmed shelves on either side, and lockers below the seats on the aft sides of the v-berth. A heavy denim curtain (faded blue jeans type material) that fastens to one side provides for privacy. This is not a universally admired solution to the privacy issue but I like it. For a larger view and more pictures click here.
While I had the boat stripped out I took some pictures of the interior joinery that might prove useful for people restoring hi bred Dolphins - wood decks, cabin and cockpit on a fiberglass hull. Click here to see those pictures.
Marionette came to me on a steel cradle which, besides Phil Zeraga’s craftsmanship, was probably a major reason why she made her way through the years in such good shape. Since my plan was only to trail her to a launch ramp only 4 miles away I thought that the steel cradle would make a fine trailer, at a significantly lower cost than a new Triad. For more info on this trailer click here.
Here is the trailer with Marionette on her way. She does NOT float listing to port!. I simply did not adjust the port side poppits properly!. Sometimes I take her off and put her back on the trailer in the barn. How I do this without a hoist is the subject of a dissertation on a system you won't want to miss. Click DIY No Travel Lift. Speaking of the barn, this was, of course, a direct consequence of having Marionette. This little yacht could not be expected to sit outdoors under a blue tarp!
So, a proper post and beam barn, with a 2nd floor wood shop and a small loft above that, was designed and built. She is on a poured foundation. These are the primary set of doors making up a 10'x10' opening for a Dolphin. Note the 3 door system.To the left is an 8' x 8' bay which is presently occupied by a 51 year old classic wooden runabout very slowly undergoing her 2nd restoration. The third set of double doors out of view, leading out from the second floor, is used for large objects produced in the wood shop behind them - like the afore mentioned most beautiful dinghy.Click here for more Barn.
The shop is modestly equipped to suit the very modest skills of the writer, a table saw, band saw, drill press, large work bench, a grinder, a large table for drawings and stuff - and a small refrigerator! The windvane above is, of course, a copper sailboat.
I thought I'd finish this with Marionette in action. She is still competitive especially in the conditions we like - 5/10 knots and lots of upwind and dead downwind legs - and with my kids aboard as crew. This past June she won her Class in both races in the 2008 Off Soundings Club's Spring Series out to and around Block Island. Proof is on the left. Click here for more on this event
Here she is in one of her her favorite racing positions, leading bigger boats to the mark. Note the reef. Her favorite position is dead down wind, astern of bigger boats in a light breeze. Jibing on suble shifts we can work her up and past grumbling skippers rechecking their trim, peering over the side for kelp on the keel, etc. Click for larger image
In this photo she is in cruising mode somewhere. The swim ladder moves around but when placed in line with the shrouds you can pull yourself up hand over hand on the lower part of the upper shroud, thus keeping the water out of the cockpit. After a rinse off with solar powered warm fresh water from the black shower bag hanging off the mast, and after toweling off, you walk back all warm and tingly, to pick up your waiting, nicely iced Gin and Tonic. Nez Pas? Click for larger image.
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