September 11, 2011. Chad Endres checked in as the new owner of Thumbelina. Here is his email.

Just wanted to you let you know that I have recently purchased Thumbalina.  Structurally she is top notch condition, not a single soft board.  The varnish and paint is failing everywhere and will required stripping.  The Vire inboard is questionable and there are no sails.  It would be helpful if you had any info on the motor and measurements for the sails, as I am trying to find used ones.  I 'd like to thank you for the web site - it has great info. I will keep you posted on progress.

Thank you,
Chad Endres
Westport, MA

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Here is what we have on Thumbelina prior to Chad's email. On October 22, 2010 DFI Mike Horn (Angel, Yankee #73) told us about this boat. She was then owned by Frank Foiey in Marion, Massachusettes and appeared in a classified FOR SALE ad in Wooden Boat Magazine in their July/August, 2010 issue. She was built in 1961 by Jenson in Denmark.

We are trying to find out more about this interesting boat. She was reportedly used as the male plug to produce a hull mold so that a builder in Texas could build Shaw 24s with fiberglass hulls. Al See, who owns Elation, a Shaw 24 in Dallas, Texas, sent in the following (excerpted) email.

I appreciate your including Shaws on your web site. I was interested to read Chip Morris was indeed involved in her building and to learn of the 2 other builders. I heard that the Texas boats were made from a mold taken from "Thumbelina" when she was first at the New Orleans Yacht Club. Sadly the local Houston "Shaw Historian" was lost at sea off the Baja before I learned much more. In the mid 1980's there were two other fiberglass Shaws in the Dallas area. One was at the Fort Worth Yacht Club where I became friends with her owner before she was sold. The other was on the hard in Plano and was interesting because the owner had both added a bowsprit and lowered the centerboard and glass over it to extend the keel.

To see the full text of Al's email, and more general information about Shaw 24's and their relationship to the Dolphin 24, go to Trina, Shaw 24 hull #1, by clicking here.