Zyklon40' Herreshoff R 1928

ZYKLON : ANTIQUE, CLASSIC, WOOD R BOAT ....she's a beauty - perfect boat for teaching, 501C3 purchase.  

                                Marconi ¾ Rig Racing Sloop - ZYKLON

Originally names "ALERT IV", this sleek R boat was built and designed in 1928 by Charles Mower, New York. The R-Class yacht design is based on Nathanael Herreshoff’s Universal rules. The yard was located in New York at Henry B. Nevins Inc.  

R boat racing was popular during the 1920's and no doubt because these sailboats "flew" across the water! Over the last decade many R's that were thought to have been lost have reemerged out of workshops all over North America looking as good as new and there’s one right here in Milwaukee Wisconsin who has always been in inside storage.  

Zyklon (Meaning Cyclone in German) graced the Milwaukee and Lake Michigan race courses for decades as she beat many a non-classic sailboat competitor. Zyklon’s owner recently recounted: “She was the fastest on the course sometimes clocking in at 12 knots!” Zyklon turned 97 this year and this classic boat has been in the process of getting a fresh start in life. Her long life has included attentive care by not only the owners but a dedicated boat “caregiver” for the past 56 years as evidenced by the photos included.

Rigging: The owners stayed true to the classic yet durable restorations with composite spars and booms and modern (North) sails. In fact, the rigging of the Genoa jib sheets closer to the mainsail affords a stiffer, flatter sail. The restoration to make Zyklon a true racing boat continued by using newer genny tracks with adjustable ball bearing controls, self-tailing 2-speed winches, an aluminum mast, plus modern travelers. Aluminum masts mean less maintenance as well. The masts have internal halyards. The 1960’s vintage roller furler (actually 2 of them!) are in great shape as is the vintage compass. Jumper struts and an 18” boomkin were also added to increase forward and backstay area

The solid, mahogany toe rails are raised 4 inches so you won’t slide off the deck, the cabin is equipped with a doghouse, and a traditional interior with solid mahogany and raised paneling, even the enormous floor timbers are sturdy. The Dorade Vent cowls are collector’s items in themselves. The solid brass, highly polished ventilator cowls are nine to twelve inches tall with a base flange and a four bolts attachment. The marine windows are not the typical square, but radius corners… a beautiful touch because the solid mahogany trim holds in the windows securely.

The atomic 4 engine is in great shape and you can depend on its starting not to mention being super quiet. There IS an extra engine in reserve just in case:)

A "skinny lady", Measuring 40’10” overall, with a waterline of 27’, a narrow beam of 9’ and a draft of 5’ 9', Zyklon carries approximately 600 sq. ft of sail. With her cutaway forefoot, long bow and stern overhangs plus a heavy deep draft, heavily-ballasted lead keel (16,800 lb. displacement), Zyklon is in “extremely good shape for her age” (Ferd N Shipwright and surveyor, June 2023). “The diagonal strapping is a plus adding more stiffness to the hull not to mention strong keepers to stabilize the loads on the chain plates.”. And… for you racers? The PHRF handicap runs between 145-165.

Creature comforts?! Uhm, yeah, none. Oh, but there is a porta-potty in the V-Berth:) 

We (Shipwright Ferd) will also assist post-sale with rigging questions, maintenance advice, transport, boat construction questions and any other history you would like to learn about this historic racing vessel.