Designed in 1915 by BB Crowninshield for the Tarrantine Yacht Club on the island summer community of Islesboro, Maine, the Dark Harbor 12 is a smaller, more easily handled (but equally exciting) version of the better-known Dark Harbor 17 – without a cabin.  It is believed there were about 10 boats in the original fleet, which was sold en-masse to the nearby Bucks Harbor Yacht Club in the 1930’s, where they continued racing into the early 1990’s.    

This particular Dark Harbor 12 is brand new (2024) professionally built by Northeast Boat in Northport, Maine.  Construction is traditional cedar planking on steam bent frames with bronze fasteners throughout.  The ballast keel is lead (an improvement over the originals), all hardware is bronze (with ball-bearing blocks from JM Reineck & Son), and sails and rigging were made by Traditional Rigging Co. in Appleton, ME.   

Exceptionally fast under all conditions, these boats are great fun to sail, can be easily handled by one person, and are terrific ghosters in light air.   With the watertight self-draining cockpit, and with the only hull-opening being the deck hatch into the storage are below, the boat is essentially “a corked bottle” and can safely handle as much rough weather as her crew can. 

For someone who wants a strikingly pretty and very sporty small classic daysailer, I can’t imagine a better fit.  Call to schedule a visit to see this boat in person.  Trailer not included.