Interesting article with info about 12 Meter Mariner

[s vernon]

http://www.stevencallahan.net/images/pr ... il2002.pdf

This is a link to a Steven Callahan interview with Jim Antrim who worked on the ill-fated Mariner 12 meter program that created the "trash dragger" boat (and the EC-12 - right? - so that was a good thing that came out of it).

The Mariner info is in the middle column on page 4 of the article which is from a 2002 Professional Boat Builder magazine.

Enjoy.

[Columbia]

What I know of Mariner is that Chance had this theory of the square back in the stern. It was suppose to cheat the water into thinking the hull is longer with less wetted surface. It was no secret that Ted Turner and Britton Chance didn't see eye to eye on this design. This prompted Turner to be quoted " come on Chance, even turd is tapered". Probably one of the greatest sailing quotes ever. Like him or not he sure was colorful and very entertaining to say the least. The next campaign in 1977 he was giving the 12 Meter Courages, designed by the great Olin Stephen, and winner of the previous challenge in 74. Two new boats were commissioned for the 77 Challange and not many gave Turner a chance on winning. They won the trials and went on to defend against Australia and win 4-0. Considered to be the last Cup Callange that was a Corinthian effort. Dennis Conners arrived in the scene in 1980 and the Cup was never the same.
What I really meant to say is that Mariner really sucked. Does anyone know where she is?

[MichaelJ2K]

She was scrapped. Here's the story. http://www.sailing-starting-over.com/Ji ... azine.html

[Columbia]

Nice story michael. Do you know where Valiant's where abouts. That was another dog from 1970 campaign. Even stephen was capable of making a mistake. He and Morgan explored the bigger boat theory.
I wonder which 12 Meter boat do we think was the best? Not fastest, that would obviously be Stars and Stripes.

[MichaelJ2K]

I did a google search on Valiant.....it was still breathing as of 2011.