Constellation 12 US 20

Designed by Olin Stephens – Built by Minneford Yacht Yard, 1964

Design and Construction

Constellation was designed by Olin J. Stephens II of Sparkman & Stephens (Project No. 1733) and built by Minneford Yacht Yard in City Island, New York, in May 1964 for the Constellation Syndicate, led by Walter S. Gubelmann of Oyster Bay, NY. Constructed of double-planked mahogany on oak frames, she represented the most advanced wooden 12 Metre ever built to that time.

Stephens intended Constellation as a refined evolution of Columbia—lighter, stiffer, and with a more efficient keel. Her boom, mast tip, and winch drums were fabricated from titanium, and strain gauges were installed throughout the hull to measure dynamic loads under sail—unprecedented technology for the era. Her short keel and long waterline gave her excellent light-air performance, and her bending spars provided precise sail control across changing conditions.

1964 America’s Cup

Although early defender-trial results were dominated by American Eagle, a mid-series adjustment in crew and trim transformed Constellation. With Bob Bavier replacing Eric Ridder as skipper and the Stephens brothers taking a more active role, her performance improved dramatically. She went on to defeat American Eagle in the final defender trials and, in September 1964, achieved a clean 4-0 victory over the British challenger Sovereign (K-12) to successfully defend the 19th America’s Cup.

That same year, she also won the Caritas Cup and the Chandler Hovey Gold Bowl at the New York Yacht Club.

Post-Cup Career

After her Cup triumph, Constellation remained active within elite 12 Metre circles:

  • 1966 – 1978 – Owned by Pierre E. Goemans of Monte Carlo, representing Baron Marcel Bich and the Association Française pour la Coupe de l’Amérique (AFCA). She served as a trial horse for France I and France II, with modifications overseen by Paul Elvstrøm at Bich’s request.

  • 1979 – 1980 – Managed by Security Change Ltd., Hamble, UK.

  • 1980 – Acquired by the British Industry 1500 Syndicate (Anthony J. Boyden) and re-registered as UK-20. She acted as trial horse for Lionheart (K-18), the British challenger for the 1980 America’s Cup.

Final Years and Loss

Following her British campaign work, Constellation was later being towed in Turkish waters when she was lost at sea, sinking off Turkey. Luigi & Jones record her ultimate fate simply as “Sunk while being towed off Turkey.”

While some later reports have circulated referencing a Bosphorus sinking, authoritative sources—including The 12 Metre Class (Luigi & Jones, 1993)—confirm the loss occurred during a tow in Turkey, not in 1980 racing service.

Legacy

Constellation 12 US 20 / UK 20 stands as a landmark in 12 Metre development—the boat that brought titanium, instrumentation, and modern engineering discipline into Cup design. Her 1964 defense remains one of the most decisive victories in the history of the America’s Cup, and her influence can be traced directly through later champions from Intrepid to Courageous. Though lost at sea, Constellation’s legacy endures in every refined line and light-weather stride of the 12 Metre class.