haven 12.5 sailboat

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Designed by Joel White, the Haven 12 ½ is a handsome daysailer based on the Herreshoff 12 ½ but modified for a centerboard.

The Haven 12 ½ is big enough to sail with four people, but is easily single-handed.

Thanks to the genius of N.G. Herreshoff and Joel White, the Haven 12 ½ has gained a reputation for being a versatile beauty.

The Haven 12 ½ is ideal for racing, family sailing, seamanship classes, and coastal exploring.

Plans for the Haven 12 ½ are available from the WoodenBoat Store .

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Comments (4)

I sailed the Herreshoff 12 1/2 at the Wooden Boat School one summer. It was the most comfortable saiI I’ve ever had. Your Haven 12 1/2 is just as beautiful.

In 2014 I chose John Brooks’ Somes Sound 12 1/2, a close cousin to the Haven, to build. This was somewhat a leap of faith for me, having never set eyes on one, let alone having sailed one. But my courage was, of course, bolstered through extensive reading about both the H12 and the Haven. Knowing that many others loved those boats, was a great comfort.

We launched EMILY RUTH in the summer of 2015. Since then there has not been a time I’ve sailed her that I did not enjoy all of her characteristics. These boats are safe, fun to sail, comfortable, and a feast for the eyes. What’s not to like?

After a week-long course at WoodenBoat School back in 2015, a few of my fellow students and I took this particular Haven 12-1/2 out for a Saturday daysail. I mostly sail a keelboat, (I do also own an old 16′ fiberglass sailing dinghy and a project wooden OK dinghy) but I just loved the handling of this boat. It was indeed a memorable day of sailing. If I could just convince my wife that we need another sailboat, this would be it.

I am thinking about buying or building a Haven 12.5 or Vivier Ebihen 16 footer. I would like a boat that sails well off the coast of France which can have strong tides. I have seen the Chuck Paine Levant on video too and it seems to be very nice and very undemanding. I would appreciate any comments about the relative merits of each one as they all seem to be reasonably similar. The first two come with a gaff rig, the Levant with a sloop rig. My needs are simple, I like sailing but it must be for the purpose of getting to a destination, and I like it to be fun and fast en route but mostly upright with limited possibility of capsize. For me, it would be fun to sometimes have a bit of non serious social rivalry with other boats but mainly I would like to sail from port to port or around an estuary or bay, stopping of for a nice lunch or an overnight hotel stay. I would always keep a couple of fishing rods on board so that my wife and I could plan to sail to a fishing and picnic spot for the day and upon arrival use it as if it were a fishing rowing boat. I am retired so I would plan to put a number of batteries in it and use an electric outboard for up to 20-mile runs if the wind fails but mainly I would like it to be able to work with very light winds and rarely use the motor. So, while trailerable, it is more than a dinghy and also much less than a proper cruising boat.

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<  07522 695526  >   FIND US ON

Joel white haven 12.5 "hope", loa: 16'  and lwl: 12' 6", beam: 6', second hand   (2002)   including braked trailer.

Is this the most beautiful small sailing boat ever drawn? Well I think so!. It is based on the Herreshoff 12.5 design but instead of having a deep keel it has the more versatile drop keel. The self tacking jib, makes it an easy boat to sail single handed. Sails are all in VGC Genoa, Jib and Mainsail. Supplied with road trailer. Good overall cover, a pair oars of oars and rowlocks  and 4 HP outboard engine, grapnel anchor and echo sounder are all included.

Please note that the slight rubbing on the jib pole shown in photograph will be sanded and revarnished by the owner prior to sale.

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• Sailboat Guide

Haven 12 1/2

Haven 12 1/2 is a 15 ′ 10 ″ / 4.9 m monohull sailboat designed by Joel White and Nathaniel G. Herreshoff and built by Howard Boats starting in 1984.

• 2 / 10 Wiscasset, ME, US Haven 12 1/2 $26,500 USD View
• 3 / 10 Wiscasset, ME, US Haven 12 1/2 $26,500 USD View
• 4 / 10 Wiscasset, ME, US Haven 12 1/2 $26,500 USD View
• 5 / 10 Wiscasset, ME, US Haven 12 1/2 $26,500 USD View
• 6 / 10 Wiscasset, ME, US Haven 12 1/2 $26,500 USD View
• 7 / 10 Wiscasset, ME, US Haven 12 1/2 $26,500 USD View
• 8 / 10 Wiscasset, ME, US Haven 12 1/2 $26,500 USD View
• 9 / 10 Wiscasset, ME, US Haven 12 1/2 $26,500 USD View
• 10 / 10 Wiscasset, ME, US Haven 12 1/2 $26,500 USD View

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

A redesign of the original HERRESOFF 12 1/2. Modifications include the addition of a centerboard and slight widening of the beam. Most have been built by individuals from plans, but a completed fiberglass version was available at one time. Gaff and Marconi/Bermudian sloop versions.

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Herreshoff 12 1/2

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Building of a Herreshoff Haven 12 1/2 by J White

Sunday 14 november 2010.

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• Designer: Herreshoff, Nat
• Builder: Martin Cruden, Marayshire
• Location: Lincoln
• Length on deck: 16'
• Draft: 1'6"/3'4"
• Tonnage: 639kg disp

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Full specification

wooden ships comments on this Haven 12.5  centre-board version  sloop                                          £10,750

An almost new boat, very little sailed.

The Herreshoff 12 ½ designed by the great Nat Herreshoff in 1914 when he was already 66 years old has become possibly his most enduring design despite 6 Americas Cup winners and so many fabulous big yachts with hundreds of them built in the USA and round the world

American designer Joel White described the Herreshoff 12 ½  as “ probably the best small boat ever designed” and went on to design a centre-board version of the great man’s 12 ½  which he called the Haven 12 ½,  Design No 75.

Joel White’s centreboard Haven 12 ½ version  is shallower in the bilge than the original with 3” more in the beam to maintain displacement. Rig, hull shape above wl, performance and everything else remain the same as the Herreshoff 12 ½

Built by boat-builder Martin Cruden, Findhorn, Morayshire in 2001

Cedar strip plank and epoxy construction

Galvanised steel centre-board.

Bermudian sloop rig.

Mainsail, Genoa and self tacking staysail.

Yamaha 3.5hp outboard engine.

4-wheel galvanised road trailer.

This yacht has been very lightly used sailing occasionally on the Broads and Lake Windermere, stored under cover and is offered in almost as new condition.

Wooden Ships classic yachts brokers have an extensive database of boats for sale. With a wide range of sailboats , classic yachts , motor yachts and small classic boats , Wooden Ships has one of the largest selections of traditional wooden boats and yachts for sale in the UK.

Disclaimer:

These particulars have been prepared in good faith from information provided by the Vendors and are intended as a guide, Wooden Ships cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. The Purchaser should instruct his agent or surveyor to validate all details as necessary and satisfy himself with the condition of the vessel and its equipment.

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Herreshoff 12.5 - little confused...

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Hi - my sister has asked me to help her research a 12.5 as she would like to buy her first boat. (btw, before anyone suggests alternatives, I should say her heart is totally set on it). Anyway, I have been trying to find out as much as I can, and I've noticed that there seems to be a lot of variations all of which look quite similar. I've seen a Haven, a Doughdish 12.5, another Doughdish that looks identical except is 15ft LOA (as opposed to 16 ft LOA for the 12.5) and a 17 ft LOA version (14 ft LWL) that was apparently designed by Herreshoff's son. I've heard that Cape Cod Boat Builders bought the molds and are making new and also selling used versions. Anyway, I was hoping that someone might be able to outline certain things to be aware of/look out for etc. There seem to be a number of different builders - I assume some are better than others? I should note that she would like a fiberglass hull and is attracted to brass fittings, etc. Appreciate any help/advice from the SN community...thanks!  

Yeah - I was amazed at how pricey they were! Seems like one in good condition is $20k-$25k - yikes. Anyway, I tried persuading her to look at other options but, as I said, her heart seems to be set on it.  

To make this worst IIRC, some have full keels, other a CB version! Altho the CB may not be a true Herreshoff design, but another persons take the hull etc and make it a CB. I'm also recalling a gaff vs marconi mainsail option too. Look like nice little daysailers. Reality is, 20-25K for one, not bad when you look at a M36 for what, half a mil! talk about ouch! or a mil+ for the 42 or 52 versions. Have not seen a price for the 28 or 29' version........ Marty  

Sahara/blt2ski - thanks for the feedback. They do seem like great little boats and probably quite easy to handle with the self tacking jib. I noticed that the bullseye was a good deal more economical, but she's definitely attracted to the shiny stuff (brass fittings, wood spars, etc.)...so it sounds like that's primarily the H 12.5 and the Doughdish.  

If she's set on the design, but you haven't picked one out yet, you could try contacting the International Yacht Restoration School in Newport, RI. They typically fix up tired Hereshoff 12 .5's for sale.  

haven 12.5 try calling Classic Boat shop in Bernard Me. The build and repair these boats. Scott Millington  

Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like the International Yacht Restoration School only works on wooden boats. Tried the Classic Boat shop. Looks like they have a wood hull Haven, but no full keel glass 12.5's - although they do have an intersting looking Herreshoff design called a Petrel 21 that seems about the same price (haven't seen these before). A little bigger, but has the benefit of a couple berths and head. Appreciate the ideas - thanks!  

haven 12.5 The guys at classic boats are real craftmen. If your sister is interested in and heirloom, I wood advise purchasing the wood boat. Either rig set up is available and both sail great. I had a friend that had Classic boat build his. He kept it for 5 years and sold it for what he paid for it.( sold it because he had too many boats, including a center harbor 31, cold molded wood from brooklin boat yard.  

Thanks - I've heard of them before although never dealt with them. We're not far from there, in Buck's Harbor on Penobscot Bay. Was actually th Brooklyn Boat yard that got her hooked on the 12.5. They do a week's sailing program that they conduct in the 12.5's The wood is beautiful, but not sure she has the appetite for the maintenance...it does raise the question of how much additional maintenance one can expect from the wood as opposed to the glass. With all the bright work on the higher end glass versions - she'll still have a decent maintenance bill I would imagine.  

The folks at Cape Cod Shipbuilding are very very nice, the owners are family friends, I keep my boat in their yard over the winter. This of course says nothing about the merits of one particular Herreshoff build versus another, but they are very nice people to do business with at Cape Cod Shipbuilding.  

If you're at Buck's Harbor, they may race Bullseyes, I know they race Ensigns. There are a lot of 12-1/2's and Bullseyes up and down the coast from where you are. You shouldn't have any problem finding one in a back yard that needs a new owner. Lois at Buck's Harbor Marine may be able to give you some guidance, as could anyone at the BH yacht club, Castine YC, or Kollegewidgewock Yacht Club (Blue Hill) . I'd check in Southwest/Northeast Harbor as well.  

Haven't heard of any Bullseyes racing at Buck's Harbor Yacht Club (and I did ask around the club looking for a 12.5 already with no luck). You are right that they do have a very active Ensign fleet (I actually tried to get her to take over my Ensign as I'm thinking of upgrading) Good idea to check Castine, Blue Hill and Buck's Harbor marine as well though - thanks.  

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How to Build the Haven 12 1/2-footer

Description.

Be sure to select PRINT or DIGITAL when you order.

Step-by-step boatbuilding in the Herreshoff tradition.

This is Joel White's keel/centerboard variation of the famous Herreshoff 12 1/2. Each step in this unique process is carefully explained and illustrated. This book, in combination with detailed construction plans, provides a thorough guide for advanced amateurs. No lofting is required, in fact, there is no offset table for this design.

by Maynard Bray 64 pp., softcover 8 x 11" ISBN # 0-937822-13-2

The PDF downloadable version is output as spreads to make it easier to read. This file will "blow up" quite nicely to well over 300% if you want to zoom in on the photos. 

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“Your downloads are ready” will be the subject line of an email you’ll receive from us—once we’ve processed your digital order. That email has the link to click, so you can then download the file.

This isn't an "instant" process, so if we're asleep, you may need to wait for regular business hours for us to process the order. Although we are quite timely, we may not be processing on weekends & holidays. 

Customer Reviews

Customs took forever, but it was worth the wait!

If I had had the forethought years ago when it was still a possibility this boat would have been the love of my life, and possibly opened a new way of life, a vocation rather than a avocation. I’ve always loved sailboats from afar yet even spending every summer as a youngster at the shore and later on the Maine coast, my love never went further than a romance from afar. Now viewing White’s interpretation being built on u-tube my heart aches over my lack of spirit and curiosity. She is the most beautiful thing a man ( or women) could make and then take off on the waters, ah joy !

Book was OK. Lots of dark black and white photos. It’s Purpose was to help me repair a Haven 12 1/2. It was good for letting me know the sequence of build, fasteners and their locations.

This is a well presented book!

I plan on building the Haven

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