Half-Hull Model of the J-Class Yacht Whirlwind

Half Model of the J-Class Yacht Whirlwind

Item: #4341

Bring a piece of maritime history to your walls with this elegant half model of the legendary J-Class yacht Whirlwind. Crafted circa 1997 by British model maker D.C. Morley, this piece perfectly captures the sleek lines of early 20th-century competitive sailing.

Historical Significance The original Whirlwind yacht was designed by the renowned L. Francis Herreshoff. She famously competed in the 1930 defender selection trials for the America's Cup, eventually losing out to Harold Vanderbilt's Enterprise.

Design & Craftsmanship

• Construction: Hand-carved wood featuring white painted topsides over a natural spruce bottom.

• Mounting: The hull is mounted on a striking black backboard, complete with a small brass name plaque in the bottom right corner.

• Dimensions: Listed in the original auction catalog as 8 x 36 inches (20.4 x 92 cm), with supplemental inventory notes indicating 35” L x 8” W.

Provenance This exact model was featured as Lot 34 in the prestigious Christie's New York Maritime auction held on Tuesday, July 30, 2002. At the time of the auction, it carried a pre-sale estimate of $800–$1,200.