The schooner America needs you to show herself in all her glory

Do you have a passion for the sea and a desire to discover seamanship? We are looking for volunteers to help the captain of the legendary schooner America Enzo Todisco with the final finishing touches in preparation for participation in the TAG Heuer VELAFestival!

MINIMAL EFFORT, GREAT OPPORTUNITY
It just takes good will, and some time to devote to one of the most important vessels in the world. Don’t be frightened, the work is minimal and simple, but it is essential for the schooner America to show up at the VELAFestival in all its glory. A unique opportunity to get in direct contact with the world of “old-time” boats and get your hands on a sailing monument.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INITIATIVE
Write directly to Commander Todisco at enzo.todisco@yahoo.it to confirm your participation and time availability. In return you will sail aboard the only faithful reproduction in existence of the boat that won the Hundred Guineas Cup in 1851, and in the future, consistent with the boat’s schedule, you can be accommodated for multiple days.

A UNIQUE BOAT
The original schooner America was destroyed in the collapse of a shed in Maine, where it was in storage in the 1940s: the copy we will show you at the VELAFestival is universally recognized as the only reproduction of the legendary boat (Dennis Conner had another one built, but it differed in some details and this meant that he could not call it “America”). 38.90 meters long, launched on March 3, 1967, to designs by Sparkman & Stephens who traced in every respect the original designs of George Steers and William Brown (she was built by Goudy & Stephen in East Booth Bay, Maine), you will be able to visit its deck and the splendid hall, which contains some original pieces recovered from the demolition: the stove, some lamps a signal cannon, a spyglass and even a bottle of cognac from the period!

WAS A REAL REVOLUTION

The importance of the boat is not only related to the America’s Cup: it was in fact a real revolution in the concept of nautical design. After America’s launch, the shipyards began making boats for yachting enthusiasts whereas until before 1851 they were limited to refitting workboats for yachting purposes. Immediately after the Hundred Guineas Cup, the schooner underwent a modification of the sail rigging (the canvas was reduced to facilitate sailing with smaller crews): the reproduction, built for an American patron who wanted to revive the spirit of old-time yachting, incorporates the reduced rigging.

AMERICANS TRIED TO “STEAL” IT FROM US.
After a few years in the United States, the precious copy made its way to Europe, where it changed several owners before being purchased by a foundation in Italy, where, at the Cantieri Navali di Sestri, the refitting work was carried out (the refitting of the masts was headed by Enrico Malingri). And just on the occasion of the last America’s Cup, the Yankees did everything they could to bring it back home, but the foundation was able to resist the enticements and now, in Genoa, you can touch one of the most valuable pieces of sailing history and have the boat’s captain Enzo Todisco tell you the whole story.

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET.
Overall length 38.90 m
Length on deck 31.90 m
Waterline length 27.60 m
Beam max 7.00 m
Draught 3.60 m

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