Herreshoff 36 (Nereia)

Description

The Herreshoff 36 most commonly refers to the Nereia (or Nereia Ketch), a classic cruising ketch designed by L. Francis Herreshoff (son of Nathanael G. Herreshoff) as design #87, described in his book "Sensible Cruising Designs" as "a proper little ship" and one of his favorites for its heavy, stable, dry, comfortable, and surprisingly fast characteristics (inspired by lines from larger designs like Ticonderoga or Tioga). The original plans date to around 1947, with boats built individually or in small numbers by various yards (e.g., Nereia Yachts in the USA, Chaulker and White at Wilmington Boat Works in California for examples like the 1953 PATIENCE, or custom wooden/FG builds); production was never mass-manufactured, resulting in a very limited quantity (likely a few dozen at most across amateur and professional builders over decades, including wood plank-on-frame with oak frames/cedar planking or occasional fiberglass versions). Features include a long keel for excellent tracking and stability, masthead ketch rig for balanced and shorthanded handling, external lead ballast bolted directly (no deadwood/keelson rot issues), solid construction emphasizing seaworthiness, and a practical interior for coastal/offshore cruising or liveaboard (spacious for its era, with good headroom, berths, galley, etc.).