Herreshoff #192501es [Sailing Cutter for Katoura II]

"[1925-08-04] Tue 4: Mr. Tod here. [HMCo would soon build the 17ft LOA Colonia dinghy #192501es and a 21' gig [#192503es] for Robert E. Tod.]
[1925-08-29] Sat 29: Mr. Tod here in a.m. and ordered a sailing cutter [#192501es] and 21' gig [#192503es]." (Source: Herreshoff, Nathanael G. Diary, 1925. Manuscript (excerpts). Diary access courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff.)

"[Item Transcription:] Refering to your interesting visit here yesterday in which you left an order with our Company to build you a sailing dinghy [#192602es Garryowen] from my design and what I thought would give you best pleasure in sailing at Essex.
I would like some information from you.
I think you mentioned the length not to exceed 16 feet, is that a positive limitation?
I find [#404s] Coquina is 16ft 7in extreme length and 15ft 9in in waterline - a little longer than I had in mind. She is 5ft 1in beam with 22in depth and 14in free board at mid section and as you probably noticed has rather a lean builge and very easy lines both fore & aft. When new she weighed 275lbs and as I used to sail her had the following weight: Centerboard, rudder, oars, rowlocks & c 58lbs, sails & rigging 43 lbs, sandbags 140lbs, self with winter suit 170lbs, total 686 lbs.
We have moulds for another boat designed 12 or 14 years after Coquina which I think would make a better boat for you and probably as fast under ordinary conditions. I am enclosing profile and half breadth of deck of each for comparison which will show better by holding paper up to light. This later design has an over hang forward which gives very graceful lines
Is 17ft 2in extreme length, 14ft 8in waterline, 5ft 5in beam, 24in deep and 16 1/2in freeboard at midsection. The plan[?] is a little flatter than Coquina, giving a much fuller builge[sic] and of course much more natural stability and capable of carrying larger sails. Boats built from this model have usually been rigged with mainsail & jib and the last two [apparently #192204es Sailing Cutter for #215p Roamer and #192501es Sailing Cutter for Katoura II] had jib headed mainsails set on short masts with yard having jaws in sails. If the extreme length of 17ft 2in is used the two masted rig could be used, but if the boat is made much shorter probably the jib & mainsail rig would be desirable to get sufficient sail area.
The hull of this model 17ft 2in long would probably weigh 300lbs and will all gear on board except ballast nearly 400lbs.
Is this too much for hauling out as you propose or would a smaller size boat of less weight be preferable? Do you want all spars & rig to store in board or would you prefer tall mast, or masts that you would stow away elsewhere?
Kindly advise me on these various points." (Source: Herreshoff, N.G. Letter to Goodwin, Charles A. Halsey C. Herreshoff Collection at the Herreshoff Marine Museum Item MRRT_270. Unidentif. / Non-Cataloged, Folder MRRT. 1926-06-24.)
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Note: This list of archival documents contains in an unedited form any and all which mention #192501es [Sailing Cutter for Katoura II] even if just in a cursory way. Permission to digitize, transcribe and display is gratefully acknowledged.

"Sailing Dinghie. Frame spacing 7 1/2". Planking, white cedar 5/16" full lapped. Thwarts mahogany 7/8". Foot boards cypress 3/8". Deck mahogany 5/32", cedar 5/32". All trimmings to be of mahogany. For details, see [drawing] 79-85 [rigging details]. Sailplan 130-82. Sept. 1925 [when built]. [For:] Katoura. Owner Mr. Robert E. Tod [as per notes on plan 28-22]." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. October 26, 2009.)

"Robert Tod had sold his schooner #722s Katoura by the time this cutter was built. The Katoura, owned by Robert E. Tod, which was referred to by a note on plan 28-22 was Katoura II ex-Enchantress, a 136ft LOA auxiliary steel schooner designed by A. Cary Smith and built in 1911 by George Lawley." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. December 10, 2014.)

"Note that, both job numbers 14138 and 14139 were for Robert E. Tod, the former being for #192503es [Yawlboat for Vanitie] and the latter being for #192501es [Sailing Cutter for Katoura II]. The two large yachts were both owned by Tod in 1925." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. March 22, 2021.)

"This vessel's completion date was determined from notes on the original plan 28-22 (formerly 76-32) from which this boat was built." (Source: van der Linde, Claas. October 26, 2009.)

Note: Research notes contain information about a vessel that is often random and unedited but has been deemed useful for future research.