Judy
Meet Judy, a beautifully restored 26-foot sloop designed by the renowned naval architects Sparkman & Stephens and built by Knutson Shipbuilding in Huntington Harbor in 1947. She was commissioned as the prototype for a racing class that could also serve as a comfortable daysailer for the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club. With her generous sail area, shallow draft, and graceful lines, Judy was designed to be both fast and remarkably versatile.
After spending her early years sailing on Long Island Sound, Judy eventually fell into disrepair. By the late 1970s, she was receiving only minimal care, and eventually found her way into a barn on Long Island, where she sat for nearly two decades. Her story might have ended there, but in 1993, boatbuilder Rick Eugster discovered her and immediately recognized the potential in the neglected yacht. Captivated by her design, he acquired Judy and began the process of bringing her back to life.
The restoration was a true labor of love. Eugster and boatbuilder Donn Costanzo worked to return Judy to her original specifications, replacing deteriorated wood, rebuilding her structure, and restoring her beautiful mahogany and varnished details. After years in the barn, she was finally returned to the water nearly 50 years after she was originally built.
Today, Judy once again sails and races on Long Island, carrying forward the legacy of the classic yachts built and sailed in these waters. Her combination of speed, simplicity, and graceful design has made her a favorite among classic-boat enthusiasts. At the Stirling Harbor Foundation, we are proud to help keep Judy sailing and share her remarkable story with a new generation of sailors.
Read more about Judy in Classic Boat Magazine